Introduction to: Information
systems architectures and
infrastructures
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A Top-Level View Information System
•Managers
•Users
•Customers
•Tech Staff
People
•Accurate
•Timely
•Relevant
Information
•Structured
•Unstructured
Processes
•Payroll
•Order Entry
•Inventory
•Reservations
Technology •Hardware
•Software
•Network
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Weill IT Infrastructure Graphic
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IT Infrastructure

(Weill & Vitale 2002)
Foundation of a firm’s IS portfolio
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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)
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REACH
Thinking About IT
Infrastructures:
Reach & Range
Anyone, anywhere
Customers,
suuppliers
regardless of IT
base
Customers,
suppliers w/ the
same IT base as
ours
Across different
business units
abroad
Across different
business units
domestically
Across
geographicaly
spread singlebusiness locations
Withina singlbusiness-unit
location
RANGE -->
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Send
Access to Perform
messages stored
simple
informatio transactions
n/inranet
Perform
complex
transactions
on multiple
applications
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So why do (or should) we care?



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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.
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Investing in Infrastructure: Four
Views




No view: no recognition of requirement for firmwide 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.
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Infrastructure Issues

Infrastructure presents real challenges for IT
management in terms of:
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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
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