Managing IT Infrastructure

Issues and Challenges

IT Infrastructure
Hardware and systems integration
Proprietary system vs open system
Storage

Software (systems and applications)

Tailor made vs off-the-shelf

Data Management
Centralized Vs decentralized

Networks and Connectivity

Broadband connection

Recent IT Trends
Computer Hardware: Faster, Cheaper, Mobile
Computers have become smaller and faster
Hardware prices have dropped
Trend over time is for more mobile computers

Recent IT Trends
Computer Software: Custom and Prewritten,
Standardized and Integrated

Current Issues on IT Infrastructure

Merging the whole range of automation
processes
Aging infrastructure
Managing global telecommunication
Managing the IT legacy (storage capacity)
Managing Total Costs of Ownership (Capex
and Opex)
Disaster recovery (business continuity)

Kompleksitas Infrastruktur TI
Ada keragaman aplikasi sistem informasi
Aplikasi sistem informasi selalu berubah
Interaksi dengan beberapa vendor seringkali
membutuhkan non-technical skills
Model pengembangan: in-house, outsource atau
kombinasi.

Strategi Pengembangan Infrastruktur TI

Membeli aplikasi: ada kelebihan dan kelemahan
membeli sistem dengan pola turnkey approach
Lease: application system provider (ASP)
Pengembangan internal (insourcing):

What Managers Need to Know?

Requirement analysis: hardware, software, data,
networks
Modelling: data, process, inter-process
Modular and Component-based development
Level of Integration on Enterprise Applications

Flexible IT Infrastructure and Competitive

Advantages Research Notes

Data transparency
Compatibility
Application functionality
Connectivity
Technical skills
Boundary skills
Technology management
Source: Byrd and Turner, 2001

The Evolution of IT Infrastructure

Era 1: The Mainframe Era (1950-1970s)
Era 2: Microcomputer Era (1970-1980s)
Era 3: Distributed Era (1980- 1990s)
Era 4: New Millenium Era (1990-present)
The Major Characteristics on Each Era:
IT Paradigm
Information Management
Communication Management
Tools and interfaces
Structure and controls

The Mainframe Era

IT Paradigm:
Dominant Technology: mainframe -centralized
intelligence
Organization metaphor: Hierarchy
Primary IT role: Automate existing process
Location of use: Computer room
Justification: Return on Investment (ROI)

The Mainframe Era

Information Management:
Information level: Data
Information model: Application specific
Information storage: Application specific data files
Integration level: Computer support for data only

The Mainframe Era

Communication Management:
Connection media: Thick wire coaxial cable; air
(microwave)
Transmission protocols: Proprietary (WAN) packet
switching and circuit switching
Transmission rates: limited

The Mainframe Era

Tools and Interfaces:
Information reporting: Paper reports
Information analysis: Batch transaction processing
Input/output devices: Keyboard and monitor
Application interface: Command-driven text

The Mainframe Era

Structure and Controls:
Organization structure on IT: Centralized
IT management: Centralized planning and control
IT operations: Structured Model (SDLC)
IT professionals: Technical specialists

The Mainframe Era

Structure and Controls:
Organization structure on IT: Centralized
IT management: Centralized planning and control
IT operations: Structured Model (SDLC)
IT professionals: Technical specialists

The New Millenium Era

IT Paradigm:
Dominant Technology: Unstructured networks
Organization metaphor: Information age
Primary IT role: Value creation
Location of use: Everyone
Justification: Value creation

The New Millenium Era

Information Management:
Information level: Knowledge
Information model: Knowledge-driven
Information storage: Hypertext and Object Oriented
Integration level: Integrated support for all information
class

Managerial Challenges
Loss of management control over systems
Distributed client/server networks, new mobile wireless
networks, and Internet-based computing have
empowered end-users to become independent source
of computing power.
Flexibility of IT infrastructure becomes necessary
condition.

Managerial Challenges
Connectivity and Application Integration
IT-based organizations depend on their business
processes and applications so that they can obtain
information from any point in the value chain.
Organizational change requirement
Hiddent costs of enterprise computing
Scalability, Reliability, and Security.

Managerial Solutions

Managing Organzational Change dan Development

Empowering IT people: education and training
Data Administration (outsourced data centers?)
Planning for Connectivity and Application Integration