Information technology plays such a major role in business today that most businesses have employees dedicated to its use.

The Technology of Information

The business world prospers on the information. There is no denying it.

Businesses collect sales transactions in an attempt to establish profitability, they bring together employees’ information to pay them for services offered, and they display product information to educate their customers.

But how do businesses stay on the topmost position of it? How do they ensure that the information gets where it needs to go?

As you might imagine, this is no easy task. Every business has its method – its means – to accomplish this goal, but there are similarities and an area dedicated to these types of efforts.

It’s collectively known as information technology.

What is Information Technology?

Information technology is a discipline that focuses on planning, installing, configuring, and sustaining computer systems.

Its purpose is to store, manipulate, and move information such that the objectives of the business are met.

What is Information Technology Architecture?

An information technology architecture is a detailed picture of the various information-processing assets needed to meet business goals, the rules that manage them, and the information linked with them.

It spotlights on three basic tiers within the organization. We’ll look at them as they relate to our newspaper business example:

Server

Generally hardware, this level provides the necessary computing power for the entire organization and is typically centrally located.

Middleware

Generally, software, this level sits on top of the server level and provides the infrastructure necessary to keep the hardware running and the information flowing

Client

A combination of hardware and software; this level provides the capabilities accessible by a user and allows them to access the information a business has available.

The use of an IT Architecture can generate several advantages, but these will not be similar for all organizations.

In one organization, one of the possible perks may be exceptionally precious, while other potential benefits may have little importance; in another organization, the situation may be totally reversed.

Having a clear and precise focus on the advantages your organization hopes to realize can facilitate you to plan how to increasingly scarce resources on your IT architectural efforts.

The seven benefits listed below may be of help in understanding the goals of an IT Architecture.

1. Implementation and Development of a Vision

An architecture can be a useful tool for assessing the overall current state of IT and to formulate a vision of where the organization requires or wants to go with IT in the form of a futuristic approach.

2. Identify Areas for Efficient Cost Savings IT Plans

An architecture enables an organization to analyze its existing IT and point out areas where changes could lead to cost savings. For example, the architecture may show that multiple database systems could be changed, so only one product is used to support costs and reduce software.

3. Enable Quicker Changes in IT Systems

There is a growing demand for systems to change rapidly to meet swift evolving business and legislative needs, and so on so forth.

For illustration, you need to know how a system change will impact all users, and by having all this identified in the architecture, there is less chance of overlooking the potential impact on micro users. IT system models guarantee the proper consideration of factors such as the impact on network loads when planning changes.

Architecture can contribute to layout complex situations in a clear and accessible manner, making planning more manageable and less prone to errors.

4. Assist to Ensure Business Programs Generate IT Planning’s

In many organizations, an IT shop may run efficiently on its own with business processes.

An accurate and orderly architecture can help layout the business processes as the primary drivers and refocus thinking along business lines.

5. Make Sure That All Things Work Together

IT planning might occur at the local level, without adequately considering more crucial organizational requirements. Architecture serves as a valuable analytical tool for evaluating the data exchange, communication requirements, and other aspects of systems. It also aids in planning any necessary changes to ensure these needs are fulfilled.

6. Business Process Re-structuring

It is true that if someone has automated a paper process, then they have not taken full benefit of the IT efficiency.

Really drastic changes result from using IT to do work differently, and consideration of IT requirements to be part of any type of analysis of business processes.

An IT architecture can be an essential tool to get an overview of data and workflow and how IT enables new and more efficient ways of doing business.

7. Explaining IT System Benefits And needs to Management and Budget Personnel

Architecture can assist to accurately display the connection between IT systems needs and the organization’s business processes as well.

This can assist in obtaining support for the resources needed.

Want more insights on IT Architecture process and more, connect with ITS Guru’s experienced IT Consulting Professional services today.