1 Introduction to: Information systems architectures and infrastructures

2 A Top-Level View Information System People Technology Information Processes Managers Users Customers Tech Staff Accurate Timely Relevant Structured Unstructured Hardware Software Network Payroll Order Entry Inventory Reservations

3 Weill IT Infrastructure Graphic

4 IT Infrastructure (Weill & Vitale 2002) Foundation of a firm’s IS portfolio  IT components (servers, printers, routers, operating systems, DBMSs, groupware, etc.  Shared IT services (e.g., channel mgmt, security, data management, etc.  Shared standard applications (ERP, CRM, i.e., stable, applications used across the enterprise)  Human IT Infrastructure (the knowledge, skills and experience of the folks that make the infrastructure work)

5 Thinking About IT Infrastructures: Reach & Range

6 So why do (or should) we care? We need to relate the concept of information systems and IT infrastructure to the management and organizational issues that we have been discussing. We need to relate the design and selection( i.e., the architecture) of the IT infrastructure to the business or strategic needs of the organization. We need to be able to communicate and educate the user community regarding these systems and services so that they can meaningfully participate in the IT decisions that impact business operations. We need to be able to communicate and educate the user community regarding the implications that IT architecture and infrastructure decisions have for the organization.

7 Investing in Infrastructure: Four Views No view: no recognition of requirement for firm- wide infrastructure. Utility view: infrastructure is important but key focus is on minimizing costs Dependent view: Firm recognizes that infrastructure supports current business strategy and is expected to support synergy between business units Enabling view: Implies over-investment in infrastructure with eye toward maximizing flexibility to implement new capabilities.

8 Infrastructure Issues Infrastructure presents real challenges for IT management in terms of:  Identifying what should be included in the infrastructure  Aligning infrastructure with strategy  Selection and enforcement of standards  Budgeting Governance: who makes the calls? No “right” answers