12.1 IT Infrastructure Management Issues

Management issues related to IT infrastructures can be divided into two groups: internal and external, which are discussed in the following subsections.

Internal Considerations

Figure 12.1 illustrates the internal issues that should be considered in the management of IT infrastructure in an organization.

12.1 IT Infrastructure Management Issues

Figure 12.1 Management Issues & IT Infrastructure: Internal Considerations

12.1 IT Infrastructure Management Issues

Scale of IT infrastructure: The scale of IT the infrastructure in place should be compatible with the size of the organization and its needs.

Furthermore, it should be flexible enough to adapt to changes in the organization’s size and needs.

Management of IT Infrastructure: IT infrastructure has to be managed and maintained.

		Management can choose to implement a centralized approach where it has most of the control.
		A decentralized approach can be chosen where management spreads out responsibility throughout the different levels of the organizational hierarchy.
		The centralized approach gives management more power to follow and maintain a “hands on” managerial style while the decentralized approach allow for more interaction with staff at the different levels allowing for shared responsibility and decision making.
		The decentralized managerial approach boosts up staff morale and makes them feel that they play a more active role in the running of the organization.
		Staff have to be well informed about the business entity as a whole to be able to contribute positively in the running and maintaining of the IT infrastructure.

12.1 IT Infrastructure Management Issues

Investment Decision: An important factor that has to be considered is how much investment a business should incur in relation to IT infrastructure. Management should decide on:

		What the IT infrastructure is needed for.
		What type of IT infrastructure is appropriate to fulfill the business needs.
		How would the different aspects of IT infrastructure work together.
		What department/business function needs which IT infrastructure.
		Whether the firm needs to seek outsourcing for IT infrastructure, and which company supplies the relevant IT infrastructure needed.

	All of these factors incorporated together help management decide on how much money to invest in the most appropriate IT infrastructure.
	Staff: Staff training is necessary to make sure staff understand the need, function and benefit of IT structure in place.

		Staff have to be trained on how to use and make the most out of the available IT infrastructure in the organization.
		It is vital that staff understand exactly what their contribution is throughout the business as a whole and in relation to the assigned IT infrastructure in specific.

12.1 IT Infrastructure Management Issues

External Considerations

	Figure 12.2 illustrates the external issues that should be considered in the management of IT infrastructure in an organization.
	Figure 12.2 Management Issues & IT Infrastructure: External Considerations

12.1 IT Infrastructure Management Issues

Figure 12.2 Management Issues & IT Infrastructure: External Considerations

12.1 IT Infrastructure Management Issues

Vibrant Environment and Constant Change: Organizations today trade in dynamic business environments where demand and supply for products/services may change depending on economic and political factors for example.

		Products/Services supplied maybe seasonal.
		IT infrastructure should be designed to cope with such changes.
		Integration with partner systems is a strategy that management may choose to follow to make it easy to adapt to the constantly changing IT environment.

Customers: Some businesses operate online which means that customers purchase products/services using the IT infrastructure businesses operate.

Such IT systems should be easy to use, accessible and secure.

Competitors: Management can assess IT infrastructure decisions having in mind what competitor companies are performing.

		Companies can obtain competitive advantage through the use of specialized IT infrastructure. They can also use IT infrastructure to attract a new segment of the market audience resulting in acquiring a strong customer base.
		Management have to be aware of competition activities and should try and adapt their own businesses.