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Computers and Information Systems
Working for The Business
"... information and talent often form the basis of business advantage ... as the strategic value of the technology fades, the skill with which it is used on a day-to-day basis may well become even more important to a company's success." Nicholas G. Carr, 'Does IT Matter?' (2004, ISBN I-59139-444-9) As well as being indispensable tools that support business processes, computers and information technology (IT) are a rich source of strategic or competitive advantage - for the businesses that use Information Systems well. For others, computers and IT are just a necessary cost of doing business. An Information System (IS) is the combination of Information Technology (IT or ICT) and the People (People) who use it. Once this is understood, it becomes apparent that business will be more successful when the right Information Systems are doing the right things in the right ways. As both the hardware and software elements of computers and information technology become more commoditised, more standardised, more consistent, more reliable and more cost effective, Information Systems (IS) are becoming ubiquitous - they are everywhere! As this trend toward ubiquitous computing continues, the 'people' dimension of an IS is becoming increasingly important in determining the successful implementation of an IS, and the realisation of its related business benefits. While this means that effective Leadership and Management play an increasingly vital role in achieving successful IS project outcomes, it is still true that having the right IS doing the right things in the right ways is fundamental to a good outcome.  One of the major factors driving of the speed of change in IT is described by Moore's Law. This law recognises that since the invention of the integrated circuit in 1958, the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated has increased exponentially, doubling approximately every two years. (2 x Power @ ½ $ / 24mths). This phenomenon was first observed and documented in a 1965 paper by Intel co-founder Gordon E. Moore. Moore's Law has consistently delivered Cheaper-Faster-Better computing power, and in 2005, was not expected to stop for at least another decade. This steady IT innovation generates newly viable IS solutions for old issues as well as new choices for new opportunities ... relentlessly redefining the paradigm for IS and its application. Getting the best possible value for business from the right IS will continue to be an opportunity for leadership and management; welcomed and embraced by the bold to their benefit, missed by many to their cost as they wonder what happened ...
What are the Right Information Systems for your business?
  Application Software: Configured Package or Custom Build, Microsoft Office, Open Source, Open Office, Google Apps, C/C++, Cobol, Delphi, Dreamweaver, Force.com, Fortran, Google Apps, HTML, Java, AJAX, Netbeans, Spring Framework, Lotus Notes, Microsoft (.NET, C#, Visual Basic, ...) PHP, Powerbuilder, Web 2.0, Web Services, Web Sphere, Tomcat, Apache, XBRL ... Systems Software: Operating System (Microsoft, OS/400, OS X Unix, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris ...), Services Oriented Architecture (SOA), Virtualisation, Broadband, Biztalk, Internet Services, Email, Citrix, Database (DB2, EnterpriseDB, Informix, Ingres, Microsoft SQL, MySQL, Oracle, Terradata, ...), Browser (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari ...), Sharepoint, Force.com, Azure, Security, Skype, Firewalls ... Hardware: Apple, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Main Stream, Servers, Clones, SAN, RAID, LAN, UPS, Workstations, Desktops, Laptops, Mobility, Notebooks, PDAs, BlackBerry, Cell Phones, WiFi, PABX, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), TV over Internet Protocol (TVoIP), Video Conferencing, Printers, Projectors, WAN, Routers, Switches, Cabling ... Services: Help Desk, User Group, Consulting, Business Analysis, Programme Management, Project Management, Implementation, Technical Consulting, ISP, Configuration, Customisation, Conversion, Development, Testing, Support ... What are the Right Things for your Information Systems to be doing for your business?
Web 2.0, Enterprise 2.0, Personal Productivity, email, eCommerce, Blogs, Wikkies, Portal, Professional and Personal Networking, Website Management, Point of Sale (POS), Accounts Receivable / Debtors, Accounts Payable / Creditors, Cashbook, General Ledger, Asset Register, P&L, Balance Sheet, Reporting, Customer Quoting, Sales Analysis, Customer Relationship Management, (CRM), Sales Activity Management, Sales Commission Management, Purchase Order Management, Inventory Management / Warehousing System, Time & Attendance / Time & Cost, Payroll, Human Resource (HR) Management, Manufacturing BOM / MRP, Merchandising, Multi Company, Multi Currency, Treasury, Business Intelligence, Management Reporting, Channel & Partner Management, Call Centre Management (Inbound / Outbound), CAD ...
What are the Right Ways for your Information Systems to be deployed and working for your business?
On-Premise Installation: Software Licensing (Initial and Annual Maintenance), Warranties, Remote Monitoring and Managed Services, Preventative Maintenance, Reactive Maintenance, Service Level Agreement (SLA) ... Full or Partial Outsourcing: Hosted, Data Centre, Tier 1, 2, 3 & 4, Shared Racks, Application Service Provider (ASP), Bureau, local, international, WAN, VPN ... Cloud Computing: On Demand over the Net to the Browser, Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Public Cloud, Private Cloud ... Costs: Purchase to Own, Capex, Opex, On or Off Balance Sheet Lease, Rent, 3 and 5 year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Return on Investment (ROI), Necessary Cost of Doing Business (CoDB) ...
What could your business do with Cloud Computing?
 The architecture of NZ SME business computing has been characterised by user oriented fat or thin PC Front Ends, infrastructure rich Middle Grounds, and Back Ends of real or virtual servers running systems, generic and application software. This is changing.
Pulled by cost conscious businesses seeking compelling opex economics, Cloud Computing offers responsive internet browser based Front Ends powered by efficient data centre hosted Back Ends; absorbing the Middle Ground and impacting traditional business models.
Front End: Each user's application mix runs in a secure virtual desktop presented on any capable client PC, Notebook or Mobile device; providing an excellent end user experience that includes informed technical support and business savvy functional application support.
Back End: Making full use of the Cloud, modern Back Ends are located in scalable local or international data centres with power, cooling, comms, computers, storage, security, monitoring, business continuity, up and downstream redundancy and professional services. These resources are managed in innovative and cost effective ways to run and present IaaS, PaaS and SaaS applications (such as Salesforce.com) as well as multiple applications across the internet for direct and customer's communities of distributed end users.
Invitation: Contact Us to discuss how we could assist.
Resource:
'Information Systems that Work' by Ian Howard (32kb .pdf Document) Return |
Prosperity depends upon doing the Right Thing at the Right Time in the Right Way. i&A contributes by nurturing People, IT and Organisations with independent consulting and Professional Services: Independent reviews of Information Systems and IS Projects.
Clarifying strategic and operational plans with consulting, Presentations and Workshops. Contract CIOs for strategic and operational advice that gets the best value from IS for the business; today and tomorrow.
Facilitating contestable RFP Procurement Processes to successfully seek, source and implement the right IS doing the right things in the right ways at the right price. Mentoring with Leadership, Management and Operations.
Chats about Fishing and other important Life Work Balance stuff ... |
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