Underlying the level and quality of service that the organization receives from its IT unit, a crucial component is the layer of technological infrastructures on which the IT network and applications depend.
In a so-called “average” organization, that layer contains WAN, LAN, internet connection and network, storage system, backup system, database, file server and printing services, application server, GUI servers (generally web-based), several operating systems in a variety of versions (Windows, Unix, Linux, mainframe), middleware, data security systems, communications software and systems, command & control systems, administrative systems (human resources, requirements, changes, configuration management), and much more.
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Does your organization have a consistent, updated mapping of its infrastructures — a configuration management database (CMDB)?
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Are the systems constantly monitored for bottlenecks and for preventable threats of malfunction?
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Is the infrastructure management based on business principles? Are clients covered by a service level agreement (SLA)? Have you integrated methodologies such as Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)?
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For infrastructures that serve the whole organization, is there proper prioritization?
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What is the work process behind the management of the infrastructures? Has anyone considered optimizing the processes and making better use of the infrastructure?
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What is the process for purchasing? For updates? How closely is it tied to the organization’s needs?
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Do procedures exist for deploying and operating the infrastructures? How well are they integrated with the work procedures? Is the deployment process orderly and consistent? How is the arrival of new workers handled in this respect?
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How well does the infrastructure support the regulations and standards that the organization is required to meet?
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Does the infrastructure provide for business continuity under a plan for emergencies? Is the infrastructure hooked into the organization’s business process management (BPM)?
If the infrastructure is not integrated optimally, the systems cannot be used to proper advantage: failures occur, tasks and issues fall through the cracks, and clients cannot easily be given the necessary level of service.
MethodInfra helps organizations to manage their infrastructure and channel their technologies toward their own needs — starting with a proper definition of needs, through choosing and deploying the required solutions, and on through deployment and integration.
MethodInfra offers a wide variety of services and products:
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Building a flexible architecture in which infrastructure systems can be optimally integrated and employed
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Mapping the infrastructures, with an emphasis on linking this mapping to the business processes
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Evaluating the effectiveness of the infrastructures
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Evaluating the economic justifiability (ROI) of the infrastructure systems
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Assistance in the complicated process of anticipating, analyzing, selecting, testing, and deploying the necessary infrastructure systems. An infrastructure project is a project in every way and form, and it must be handled as such!
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Definition and composition of work instructions documenting the work processes.
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Advice and assistance in complying with regulations, data security, and standards with respect to infrastructure.
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Construction of a business continuity program, with exercises and testing of the plan.
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