Managerial Issues Associated with Managing an Organization’s Is Infrastructure

* Managerial Issues Associated with Managing an Organization’s IS Infrastructure * * * Managing Information Technology has evolved just as the technologies have evolved. The usual basic managerial roles are in place involving people, equipment and processes. The process list is growing as well as the equipment list and maintenance requirements. The amount of resources to manage in the form of data has grown exponentially. Managers have to keep up to date with technologies as well as look into the future to be prepared for what’s next. (Şanlı, 2010) * Configuration management is mostly concerned with changes made to hardware, software, documentation, or anything that touches a system that may cause an issue. An up to date record of all infrastructure components are created and kept up to date (SAManage, 2010). Benefits of this system are asset tracking, system reliability, aid in defining policies and procedures, improved maintenance, better oversight of proposed changes, and improved management of systems and infrastructure in general. * Software systems are available to help control CM and the database is referenced. Software packages available include a ticketing system. When a change needs to happen that could have an impact on any of the systems, it is vetted through all the owners of the various systems. It focuses around accountability. Who has done what, and who has permission to alter the configuration. Approval not given for a change until the ticket makes a round robin of every department to assure systems are not affected. * Software maintenance involves any altering or updating of a software system once it goes into production. Software needs modifying as time passes for various reasons. User needs may change requiring increased functionality. Problems with the software may need addressed. Changes in the hardware may require modifications. Custom interfaces may need updated. Software maintenance is a very

References: Canfora, G., & Cimitile, A. (2000, November 29). Software Maintenance. Retrieved from aminer.org: http://pdf.aminer.org/000/592/354/a_study_of_the_documentation_essential_to_software_maintenance.pdf SAManage. (2010, may 14). The Benefits of IT Configuration Management. Retrieved from http://www.samanage.com/: http://www.samanage.com/blog/2010/05/the-benefits-of-it-configuration-management/ Şanlı, O. (2010). Management Issues in Information . Retrieved from http://www.g-casa.com/: http://www.g-casa.com/conferences/budapest/papers/Sanli.pdf