Business Information Management Lecture PDF

Business Information Management Dr. Michael P. O’Brien Module: MI4007 Week 9 (Lecture 2 of 2) 1 IT Architecture What is IT Architecture? What drives the evolution of IT Architecture? How do these trends impact upon the manageme...

Business Information Management Dr. Michael P. O’Brien Module: MI4007 Week 9 (Lecture 2 of 2) 1 IT Architecture What is IT Architecture? What drives the evolution of IT Architecture? How do these trends impact upon the management of IT Architecture? 2  IT Architecture “A set of physical devices and software applications that are required to operate the entire enterprise. IT architecture is also a set of firm-wide services budgeted by management and comprising both humans and technical capabilities.” 3 General Components 1. Computer hardware platforms 2. Operating system platforms 3. Enterprise software applications 4. Data management and storage 5. Networking/telecommunications platforms 6. Internet platforms 7. Consulting system integration services 4  IT Architecture Business Application Layer Service Layer Infrastructure Layer 5 Evolution of IT Architecture 1. General-Purpose Mainframe and Minicomputer ERA: (1959 – Present) 2. Personal Computer Era: (1981 to present) 3. Client/Server Era: (1983 to Present) 4. Enterprise Computing Era: (1992 to present) 5. Cloud and Mobile Computing Era: (2000 to present) 6  Evolution of IT Architecture 7 Technology Drivers Moore’s Law Cloud Computing Mass Digital Storage Mobile Devices Metcalfe’s Law BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) 8  Considerations in IT Architecture Future Proofing: Rapid technological advance has created an upgrade cycle and the need to future-proof Better Hardware Demand for better hardware Better software 9 Considerations in IT Architecture Standardisation: Buying the same products from the vendors for as many people as possible. Reduces maintenance Reduces training (expert and end user) Often can reduce costs 10  Considerations in IT Architecture Integration: Ensuring that systems are integrated at the logical level to avoid data duplication and “information silos” 11 IT Architecture “What does my organisation need to succeed?” Business Application Layer Service Layer Infrastructure Layer 12  IT Architecture Base Layer Architecture Hardware Network Systems Software General Purpose Application Software 13 IT Architecture “Standard” IT Architecture Server Shared Printer PC Internet Local Area Network Local Printer PC PC 14  IT Architecture Application Service Providers Key Benefits Ubiquitous Always Available Always updated (data) Always updated (versions) Pay as you go model Disadvantages Limited Functionality (so far) Vendor Control of software and data 15 Governance Structures Small Medium Enterprises: Generally no IT department – IT planning is management function – Outsourcing Large Enterprises: Internal IT department/specialist – Planning will be delegated to IT department – Supervision/Strategy is management function 16  Determining IT Investment “What are our current “Are we planning on ICT costs?” developing alliances with other ICT costs “What current companies?” technology trends Business IT are affecting our Strategy Assessment industry?” IT Market Competitor Infrastructure Demand Requirements Services “Is market demand for “What services are our product is rising? our competitors offering?” 17 Total Cost of Ownership Total cost of ownership: Technology costs are rarely simply direct costs. Downtime Acquisition Running Costs Installation Maintenance Training Support 18  Creating an IT Architecture Plan ICT costs Determine Business Strategy IT Assessment Requirements Market IT Infrastructur Competitor Demand e Services Requirement s Collate Requirement Match Requirements to Technology Downtime Acquisition ICT costs Business IT Create Plan Strategy Assessment Running Costs Installation IT Market Infrastructur Competitor Maintenanc Training Demand e Services e Requirement s Support 19 Have a think… Google ‘BYOD’ (Bring Your Own Device). Identify reasons why or why not an organisation might choose to allow BYOD in the workplace. 20 21