This document defines IT infrastructure and its key components. It discusses (1) computing platforms like mainframes, desktops, and cloud services that connect people digitally, (2) telecommunications services for connectivity, and (3) data management services for data storage and analysis. It also covers (4) application software for ERP, CRM etc., (5) facilities management, (6) IT management services, and (7) IT standards and education services. The document then discusses hardware types like microcomputers, midrange and mainframe systems, and supercomputers. It concludes with trends in mobile/cloud platforms, virtualization, and green computing.

1. Information Technology
Infrastructure
Lesson#3

2. DEFINING IT INFRASTRUCTURE
• An IT infrastructure consists of a set of physical devices and software applications
that are required to operate the entire enterprise.
• These services include the following:
 Computing platforms used to provide computing services that connect employees, customers,
and suppliers into a coherent digital environment, including large mainframes, midrange
computers, desktop and laptop computers, and mobile handheld and remote cloud computing
services.
 Telecommunications services that provide data, voice, and video connectivity to employees,
customers, and suppliers.

4. Cont..
• Data management services that store and manage corporate data and provide capabilities for
analyzing the data
• Application software services, including online software services, that provide enterprise-
wide capabilities such as enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management,
supply chain management, and knowledge management systems that are shared by all
business units
• Physical facilities management services that develop and manage the physical installations
required for computing, telecommunications, and data management services
• IT management services that plan and develop the infrastructure, coordinate with the
business units for IT services, manage accounting for the IT expenditure, and provide
project management services

5. Cont..
• IT standards services that provide the firm and its business units with
policies that determine which information technology will be used, when,
and how
• IT education services that provide training in system use to employees and
offer managers training in how to plan for and manage IT investments
• IT research and development services that provide the firm with research on
potential future IT projects and investments that could help the firm
differentiate itself in the marketplace

6. Hardware
Types of computer system

7. Microcomputer Systems
Microcomputers are the most important category of computer systems for
both businesspeople and consumers. Although usually called a personal
computer, or PC, a microcomputer is much more than a small computer for
use by an individual as a communication device.

8. Midrange Systems
• Midrange systems are primarily high-end network servers and other types of
servers that can handle the large-scale processing of many business
applications. Although not as powerful as mainframe computers, they are less
costly to buy, operate, and maintain than mainframe systems and thus meet
the computing needs of many organizations.

9. cont..

10. Mainframe Computer Systems
• Mainframe systems are large, fast, and powerful computer systems. For
example, mainframes can process thousands of million instructions per
second (MIPS). Mainframes can also have large primary storage capacities.
Their main memory capacity can range from hundreds of gigabytes to many
terabytes of primary storage.

11. Cont..

12. Supercomputer Systems
• The term supercomputer describes a category of extremely powerful
computer systems specifically designed for scientific, engineering, and
business applications requiring extremely high speeds for massive numeric
computations. The market for supercomputers includes government research
agencies, large universities, and major corporations. They use
supercomputers for applications such as global weather forecasting, military
defense systems, computational cosmology and astronomy, microprocessor
research and design, and large-scale data mining.

13. Cont..

14. Hardware working framework

15. CONTEMPORARY HARDWARE
PLATFORM TRENDS
• THE MOBILE DIGITAL PLATFORM (e.g. tablets, ipads)
• CONSUMERIZATION OF IT AND BYOD (“bring your own device”)
• GRID COMPUTING (Grid computing involves connecting geographically)
• VIRTUALIZATION (Virtualization is the process of presenting a set of
computing resources)

16. What Is Software?
• Software is the general term for various kinds of programs used to operate
and manipulate computers and their peripheral devices.
• Two types are follows:
 Application software includes a variety of programs that can be subdivided into
general-purpose and function-specific application categories.
 System software are installed on the computer when operating system is installed.

18. Business Application Software
• Thousands of function-specific application software packages are available
to support specific applications of end users in business and other fields. For
example, business application software supports the reengineering and
automation of business processes with strategic e-business applications like
customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning, and supply
chain management.

19. It includes:
• Software Suites and Integrated Packages
• Web Browsers and More
• Electronic Mail, Instant Messaging, and Weblogs
• Word Processing and Desktop Publishing
• Electronic Spreadsheets
• Presentation Graphics
• Personal Information Managers

20. Groupware
• Groupware is software that helps workgroups and teams collaborate to
accomplish group assignments. Groupware is a category of general-purpose
application software that combines a variety of software features and
functions to facilitate collaboration.

21. Cloud Computing
• One of the most recent advances in computing and software delivery is
called cloud computing. Cloud computing is a style of computing in which
software and, in some cases, virtualized hardware resources are provided as a
service over the Internet.

23. GREEN COMPUTING
• By curbing hardware proliferation and power consumption, virtualization has
become one of the principal technologies for promoting green computing.
Green computing or green IT, refers to practices and technologies for
designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computers, servers, and
associated devices such as monitors, printers, storage devices, and networking
and communications systems to minimize the impact on the environment.

24. CONTEMPORARY SOFTWARE
PLATFORM TRENDS
• Linux and open source software
• Java, HTML, and HTML5
• Web services and service-oriented architecture
• Software outsourcing and cloud services

25. Contact details
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