business it applications- a simplified integrated overview it for managers farhan mahboob

Business IT Applications-A Simplified Integrated Overview

IT For Managers

Farhan Mahboob

Why should businesses be concerned with IT ?

No IT = No business!!!!!Are there exceptions ?

IT solution, a core determinant of business success, even government success !!!IT success – Amazon (sells book to 6 billion).IT failure – Mumbai Carnage

A world without IT, a possibility ?After a nuclear war or in paradise

Conclusion ?A well constructed IT solution is a core component of success.

Food for thought:

Donkeys are not computer friendly!

Some important IT concepts

• E-Commerce: Harnessing the power of the internet to make $.

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Integrates all aspects of a business in an IT solution.

• Customer Relations Management (CRM): Gathers customer data on-line, to customize it products/services.

• IT Security:Proactive expertise in securing networks.

Some important IT concepts (contd)

• Content Management Software: Use the “web” to share data with customers, suppliers, employees

• Knowledge Management Software:integrates all aspects of a business in an IT solution.

• Customer Relations Management (CRM): Gathers customer data on-line, to customize it products/services.

• Supply Chain Management (SCM):Involves all steps in flow & transformation of raw material to finished goods.

IT concepts simplified

Database:NY

Database advantagesOrganized data storage

Fast retrieval, search

Useful reports

Instant access

Benefits multiplied by internet expansion

Cost savings

Offers more options

=> More business flexibility

Opening the network to the internet . . .

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Internet

Business Process OutsourcingHead Office and clientele in NY, USA

Employees in Pakistan

Cost saving

Benefiting from the internet

Ready To be Online ?

Many issues to consider when opening up to the internet

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Internet

Business Process OutsourcingHead Office and clientele in NY, USA

Employees in Pakistan

Cost saving

Benefiting from the internet

Good idea, but …

Not so simple

What about security ?X

Firewall

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Firewall:NY

Internet

FirewallSecures the internal network from the internet

It is a must for E-Commerce Applications

Router

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Router:NY

Firewall:NY

Internet

Generally a router is required to connect the corporate network to the internet.

A router connects different networks.

The Anti-Virus Server

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Internet

The Enterprise Anti-Virus will clean all internet traffic of virus . . .

The Web Server

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

Internet

People on the internet access the Web server, not the actual database.

The Web server hosts the corporate web site.

Finally accessing the Database

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

Internet

Can secure network by VPN encryption

Storage Area Network (SAN)

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Internet

Storage Area Network

Houses the

corporate data- treasure

Data Backup

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Backup

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Internet

Data backups are highly recommended, & are generally on tape cartridges.

Database replication

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Backup

DB replica:AZ

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Internet

Database replication also speeds up reads.

Writes are done to the master database, & then the slaves are updated.

Intrusion Detection

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Backup

DB replica:AZ

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Intrusion detection

Internet

Protecting the network from unwanted traffic.

Network Management

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Backup

DB replica:AZ

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Intrusion detection

Network Management

Internet

IT concepts simplified

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Backup

DB replica:AZ

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Intrusion detection

Network Management

RED – External

ORANGE – DMZ

GREEN - Internal

Internet

IT concepts simplified

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Backup

DB replica:AZ

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Intrusion detection

Network Management

RED – External

ORANGE – DMZ

GREEN - Internal

Is this network secure ?

Internet

IT concepts simplified

Database:NY

Employee:Pak

Backup

DB replica:AZ

Router:NY

Firewall:NYAnti-Virus

Web server

$AN

Intrusion detection

Network Management

RED – External

ORANGE – DMZ

GREEN - Internal

Is this network secure ?

Internet

Encryption

IT solution effectiveness

• Budget • Platform/application mix• Handling of NMS• Proactiveness of IT team

Conclusion

• IT solution success depends on human factors.

• Understanding those factors is necessary.