A company that makes cast iron skillets can still have software as a core part of their business. Logistics, monitoring the manufacturing process, forecasting demand. All of these things can be software that is core to business. Or even more important, having a useful website for selling their products.
But it's sold by a company with a website, and if it's in-house, (probably quite a big 'if') its developers probably don't want to be lumped in with its phone line, office PC etc. sysadmins (and I'm sure it's mutual).
I think that's the point. Cookware's just a further-from-tech example of it.
I'd be perfectly happy being lumped in with the Sys Admins. They are, in most companies, the most misunderstood role. There's an expression that basically says "When things are going great, everyone wonders what sysadmin does. When things are going poorly, everyone wonders what sysdamin does". A good sysadmin team is amazing and, in many cases, vital to a successful business.
I think the only other role that gets ignored as much is the Executive Assistant(s). Much like sysadmin, good ones make sure everything runs smoothly, and should be prized like gold.
Being viewed as a value multiplier (like good instances of the above should be) is a fine goal in life.
I wasn't saying their useless at all, I said the feeling's probably mutual, is just a different role, so if they're lumped together then as you say, at least one has been misunderstood.