Information Systems in the Organization

IT Goals

• Early Cost Savings and Control
• Mid Alignment with Organization Goals
• Current Integration Into the Business

Three Rules to Remember

• Don't commit to any technology until after it has crossed the chasm.
• Use normal rules of engagement when dealing with enabling technology kings and princes and application companies of any size.
• Wherever there is an enabling-technology gorilla, get on that bandwagon and no other.

Developing Architecture

• Objectives: Define business functions
• Business: Analyze service level expectations
• IT: Determine requirements
• Technology: Specifications and design
• Detailed Requirements: Product selection
• System: Install new system components

Business Objectives

• Increase Revenue
• Reduce Cost
• Identify those business functions that will use the infrastructure and how IT will promote their business objectives. In business terms. Technical excellence is not enough!

Business Expectations Suggested measures

• At the highest level, an IT organization should be tracking a number of key ratios and indicators.
• [These should be reported on in terms of current value, trends, and rate of change]

Service Level Objectives

• Typically service levels are negotiated with users or management and carefully tracked.

• Total Cost of Ownership

TCO

• A standardized environment costs less to install and maintain than a heterogeneous one.
• Electronic software distribution ensures consistent software installation and eliminates the need to physically install software on each computer.
• Use remote systems management tools to move software and data to and from laptops,as well as to store backup images of users' hard disks.
• Use automated technical support tools to reduce support personnel staff.