It used to be enough to provide specimen (7)
I believe the answer is:
example
'specimen' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'it used to be enough' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes 'e' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT').
'used to' becomes 'x' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'be enough' becomes 'ample' (ample means enough or plenty).
'e'+'x'+'ample'='EXAMPLE'
'to provide' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for example that I've seen before include "lesson" , "Representative object" , "Specimen, illustration" , "Someone to emulate" , "Thing characteristic of its kind" .)