The IT Environment Section 4 ICA11v1.0 Vocational Education and Training Training Toolbox Series ICA11v1.0 Information, Digital Media & Technology Cert I, II and III The IT Environment Section 4

The IT Environment The IT Department

Table of Contents The IT Environment Section 4 – The IT Department Centralised Information Systems Slide - 04 Decentralised Information Systems Slide - 05 Distributed Information Systems Slide - 06 Advantages – Centralised and Decentralised Slide - 07 The Central IT Organisation Slide - 08 The Functional IT Organisation Slide - 09 Best of Both Structures Slide - 10 Communication and Interaction Slide - 11 Clients Slide - 12

Centralised Information Systems The IT Environment Centralised Information Systems Centralised IT management allows top management and the IT department a high degree of control over: Hardware Software Procedures Operations Access to the system and information USER Mainframe Centralised

Decentralised Information Systems The IT Environment Decentralised Information Systems A decentralised system allows departments and remote sites a large degree of independence in how they set up and use the information system. USER Decentralised “All Stand Alone”

Distributed Information Systems The IT Environment Distributed Information Systems A ‘Distributed Information System’ has the benefits of both a centralised and decentralised system. USER Central Distributed System

Advantages – Centralised and Decentralised The IT Environment Advantages – Centralised and Decentralised Advantages of decentralised IT management include: Better fit of information systems to the business needs Quicker response to business demands End user development of applications Innovative use of IT Delegation of authority Advantages of centralised IT management include: Standardised hardware and software Easier training Common reporting systems Effective planning of shared systems Strategic planning Efficient use of IT personnel Tighter control by top management

The Central IT Organisation The IT Environment The Central IT Organisation In a centralised IT organisation the CIO or CTO could be overseeing several departments within the unit. These departments might include: Systems Implementation and Maintenance Information Centre Communications Data Administration Research and Development Web Technologies

The Functional IT Organisation The IT Environment The Functional IT Organisation In a functional type structure each business unit would normally have their own IT specialist. This specialist would report to the business unit’s manager. IT Specialist Organisation’s Unit Department

Best of Both Structures The IT Environment Best of Both Structures Small companies or organisations typically use the centralised approach because their IT staffs are small. Medium to large companies rarely use a fully centralised structure or a fully functional structure. Most use elements of both.

Communication and Interaction The IT Environment Communication and Interaction IT managers need clear communication from management in three basic areas: Business planning Systems planning Systems development Business managers need the following from the IT department: A broad understanding of the business activities Prompt response Simple, jargon-free explanations System limitations Accurate budgeting Single point of contact

Clients The IT Environment In the IT environment the client is the user of the information systems established and maintained by IT professionals. The term client is also used in a hardware context. Internet Intranet Extranet Organisation’s IT System Clients

The IT Environment End of Section 4