Business IT Applications- A Simplified Integrated Overview IT For Managers Farhan Mahboob

Why should businesses be concerned with IT ? No IT = No business!!!!! Are there exceptions ? IT solution, a core determinant of business success, even government success !!! IT success – Amazon (sells book to 6 billion). IT failure – Mumbai Carnage A world without IT, a possibility ? After a nuclear war or in paradise Conclusion ? A well constructed IT solution is a core component of success. Food for thought: Donkeys are not computer friendly!

Some important IT concepts E-Commerce:Harnessing the power of the internet to make $. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Integrates all aspects of a business in an IT solution. Customer Relations Management (CRM): Gathers customer data on-line, to customize it products/services. IT Security: Proactive expertise in securing networks.

Some important IT concepts (contd) Content Management Software: Use the “web” to share data with customers, suppliers, employees Knowledge Management Software: integrates all aspects of a business in an IT solution. Customer Relations Management (CRM):Gathers customer data on-line, to customize it products/services. Supply Chain Management (SCM): Involves all steps in flow & transformation of raw material to finished goods.

IT concepts simplified Database:NY Database advantages Organized data storage Fast retrieval, search Useful reports Instant access Benefits multiplied by internet expansion Cost savings Offers more options => More business flexibility

Opening the network to the internet... Database:NY Employee:Pak Internet Business Process Outsourcing Head Office and clientele in NY, USA Employees in Pakistan Cost saving Benefiting from the internet Ready To be Online ?

Many issues to consider when opening up to the internet Database:NY Employee:Pak Internet Business Process Outsourcing Head Office and clientele in NY, USA Employees in Pakistan Cost saving Benefiting from the internet Good idea, but … Not so simple What about security ? X

Firewall Database:NY Employee:Pak Firewall:NY Internet Firewall Secures the internal network from the internet It is a must for E-Commerce Applications

Router Database:NY Employee:Pak Router:NY Firewall:NY Internet Generally a router is required to connect the corporate network to the internet. A router connects different networks.

The Anti-Virus Server Database:NY Employee:Pak Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Internet The Enterprise Anti-Virus will clean all internet traffic of virus...

The Web Server Database:NY Employee:Pak Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server Internet People on the internet access the Web server, not the actual database. The Web server hosts the corporate web site.

Finally accessing the Database Database:NY Employee:Pak Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server Internet Can secure network by VPN encryption

Storage Area Network (SAN) Database:NY Employee:Pak Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Internet Storage Area Network Houses the corporate data- treasure

Data Backup Database:NY Employee:Pak Backup Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Internet Data backups are highly recommended, & are generally on tape cartridges.

Database replication Database:NY Employee:Pak Backup DB replica:AZ Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Internet Database replication also speeds up reads. Writes are done to the master database, & then the slaves are updated.

Intrusion Detection Database:NY Employee:Pak Backup DB replica:AZ Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Intrusion detection Internet Protecting the network from unwanted traffic.

Network Management Database:NY Employee:Pak Backup DB replica:AZ Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Intrusion detection Network Management Internet

IT concepts simplified Database:NY Employee:Pak Backup DB replica:AZ Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Intrusion detection Network Management RED – External ORANGE – DMZ GREEN - Internal Internet

IT concepts simplified Database:NY Employee:Pak Backup DB replica:AZ Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Intrusion detection Network Management RED – External ORANGE – DMZ GREEN - Internal Is this network secure ? Internet

IT concepts simplified Database:NY Employee:Pak Backup DB replica:AZ Router:NY Firewall:NY Anti-Virus Web server $AN Intrusion detection Network Management RED – External ORANGE – DMZ GREEN - Internal Is this network secure ? Internet Encryption

IT solution effectiveness Budget Platform/application mix Handling of NMS Proactiveness of IT team

Conclusion IT solution success depends on human factors. Understanding those factors is necessary.