2. The diagrams above illustrate how Business strategy and IT strategy should and can be applied at all levels
Depicted in the diagram as the Enterprise Architecture flows throughout in the orange section portion of the diagram.
It relates business strategy and administration and IT Strategy to all levels of the Enterprise Architecture.
It is covered in more detail in the next sections.
3. The diagram above is focused on the applications layer of the model the business and it benefits are outlined on the right.
4. The diagram above is focused on the Application Enabling Infrastructure / Architecture Services,
the business and it benefits are outlined on the right
5. The diagram above is focused on the Enterprise Infrastructure Services, and the Computer Hardware, Storage, Network
and Cloud layer, the business and it benefits are outlined on the right
6. Employing a strategy which is influenced at all levels by business goals and a common architecture, produces savings by
focusing all activities to the vision and measures which are all related to the business strategy. Each item at each level can be
referenced to the business goals and can be stated in terms of the contribution of each item to the business goals.
Each section has been outlined in terms of the Business and IT work supports the business goals. This insures delivery of
corporate strategy, and thus works with each item to provide the desired results. This enables work at each level to be
understood by all IT efforts, and as a result provides the means to report to organization leadership’s goals.
All levels of the IT architecture are in line with enterprise goals and can be stated separately, and enable better executive
reporting or for outsourcing of activities with clear measures. It provides direction to insure the IT changes from application
development down to data center operations and the ability to leverage partners.
The section which follows outlines the architecture benefits related to the maturity of IT
operations as well as optimization. It illustrates the savings available and how maturity can
drive cost savings based on the focus of operational functions. It has a sever focus but is also
a valuable tool for Data Center operations, and has been used in all cases generating savings
of over 20%.
7. Align your business infrastructure with your actual needs, to create savings and efficiencies
Create an effective plan to link IT capability and maturity improvements to business needs and strategy.
Align with you vendor partners long term roadmap and time upgrades or planned platform migrations for continuous
improvement.
Build a robust and flexible infrastructure to support business applications. Implement virtualization strategies
that enable server consolidation, increase utilization of hardware, reduced downtime, decreased downtime and
administrative costs.
Set the stage for adoption of future technologies. Free up resources so the focus can be business-building not just
business continuity.
Organizations are going back to the basics to get more value from the information they own….to improve bottom
line performance… (leveraging advanced virtualization), advanced analytics, data mining, and analytic applications
To build “intelligence” into a companies business processes. (Ovum Research)
Leverage outsourcing services to augment IT support or shift valuable IT resources to gaining business advantage
through the strategic use of technology.
Harvest savings from the decommissioning of over provisioned infrastructure, and its associated costs.
8. Cost reduction estimates were harvested from Microsoft's IOI initiative.
The Table below illustrates the value of having or changing everyday operational processes
9. Operational IT Maturity has a direct effect on Saving IT Spending, some costs outlined below.
Cost reduction estimates were harvested from Microsoft's IOI initiative.
10. IT staff taxed by operational
challenges
Users come up with their
own IT solutions
IT Staff trained in best
practices such as MOF, ITIL,
etc.
Users expect basic services
from IT
IT Staff manages an
efficient, controlled
environment
Users have tools they need,
high availability, & access to
information
IT is a strategic asset
Users look to IT as a valued
partner to enable new
business initiatives
IT processes undefined
High complexity due to
localized processes & minimal
central control
Central Admin &
config of security
Standard desktop images
defined,
not adopted
company-wide
SLAs are linked to business
objectives
Clearly defined and enforced
images, security, best
practices (MOF, ITIL)
Self assessing & continuous
improvement
Information easily & securely
accessed from anywhere on
Internet
Patch status of desktops is
unknown
No unified directory for
access management
Multiple directories for
authentication
Limited automated software
distribution
Automate identity and access
management
Automated system
management
Self provisioning and
quarantine capable systems
ensure compliance & high
availability
Above is the Microsoft Infrastructure Optimization model The
basis for the maturity cost savings outlined savings estimates.
11. Hardware / Software
Total Direct Costs
End User Productivity
& Downtime
(Indirect Cost)
Total TCO
Administration
Operations
$1,258
$394
$366
$2,017
$1,306
$3,323
$1,406
$734
$428
$2,568
$2,952
$5,520
$1,366
$617
$373
$2,356
$2,450
$4,806
16% 36%
13% 31%
8% 14%
Microsoft model estimated savings opportunities
through maturity
12.
13. The methodology above has been used to measure, improve current savings opportunities, it is an opportunity assessment.
14. The methodology above is used to measure, create costing plans for improvement and measure the savings opportunities
15. Example client results of a project which I managed, using the methods and measures outlined earlier in the document.
