Enforcing Infrastructure Technology Standards by IVK - Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Enforcing Infrastructure Technology Standards by IVK. Answer: Introduction: Standardization and simplification of the complexity of information systems infrastructure have become the primary focal point for most of the developing business units. IVK which is a midsize firm dealing in financial services is not left out on the proliferation task of its ICT environment. The past observation shows that IVK consumes 80 percent of its ICT budget maintaining the existing infrastructure while the remaining 20 percent for other services (Austin, Nolan ODonnell, 2009). This has raised problems in the department making them come up with the three actions that would be deemed fit to streamline the ICT standards within the department. The actions that were proposed to aid in enforcing the infrastructure technology standards include strict enforcement, gradual migration, and voluntary compliance. In all the three proposals I would recommend the organization to affect the use of gradual migration of the IT infrastructure. This is based on Austine et al. arguments on their research where they outlined the following; one, the departments are running different platforms of technology of their own choice without aligning to a specific standard, two, the organization should have one integrated system that is standard, the existing ones may be outdated or even declining in the market, three, there would be some element of flexibility if this methodology is implemented as compared to the other two methodologies (Austin, Nolan ODonnell, 2016). The flexibility in the evolvement would allow for integration of the sub-systems that would yield into a perfect standard infrastructure. Even though it is the best method, it is normally associated with some additional cost of purchasing new emerging systems that may take substantial amount of money and time for the gradual process to come int o completion (Lawler, Worley Creelman, 2011). Guy and Arnold in their study on The Diffusion of Information Technology, they argue that when deciding on which technology to use for a standard system, the CEO should consult with the IT technical team before arriving at any conclusion (Guy Arnold, 1995). The results obtained are discussed among the executive in the management which of course is composed of the technical experts. They then decide on the best platform and technology suitable for their infrastructure. This is then implemented and communicated formally and taken as a policy within the organization. Unlike in IVK where the ICT CEO has very little knowhow on IT systems infrastructure, this department should always be headed by professionals in the IT field who understands all the emerging, standard and the old technologies. This would make work much easier and simpler while streamlining the infrastructure (Guy Arnold, 1995). Currently, the technology used at IVK is not standard. It is not very convenient being that ea ch department runs on their technology of preference. This makes the maintenance cost to be higher than the reproduction cost of which should equivalent to the ratio in a normal scenario. The technology is therefore not good regarding infrastructure and standardization. The three proposals would change the state but with a variance in the level of effectiveness. Voluntary compliance would advantage the managers as they will learn from the difficulties that the IT staff undergo but may not estimate the level of its critics, that is, the various business units may not comply with the changes and thus, nothing will happen (Lu Ramamurthy, 2011). Strict enforcement is very effective but would lead to more investment and removal of non-productive systems. It would change the state of the infrastructure as the business units will have to leave their systems of preference and adapt to the standardized technology. Regarding the state of IVK, standardization and innovation are not in conflict because they are being implemented at the same time and both of the tasks can be handled effectively by the IT technical team. A problem would only arise for instance, if the IT team at IVK were given a software or hardware systems that they cannot support while implementing the newly innovated infrastructure (Tallon, 2008). There is a relationship between innovation and standardization in any organization. The two affects one another depending on the time in which one is implemented. Standardization should follow innovation, and this is depicted with what is taking place at IVK. The organization being a financial services institution should make good use of innovation and technology dynamically to achieve its goals. The business is competitive and very critical in thus proper systems and technology should be adopted. The advancement in technology would actually of a great deal to the organization. References Austin, R. D., Nolan, R. L. ODonnell, S. (2009). Standardization and Innovation: Managing and Investing in IT infrastructure. Austin, R. D., Nolan, R. L. ODonnell, S. (2016).The Adventures of an IT Leader, Updated Edition with a New Preface. Guy, K. Arnold, E. (1995). The Diffusion of Information Technology: Experience of Industrial Countries and Lessons for Developing Countries. Lawler, E. E., Worley, G. C. Creelman, D. (2011). Management Reset: Organizing for Sustainable Effectiveness. Lu, Y. K. Ramamurthy, R. (2011). Understanding thelink betweeninformation technology capability and organizationalagility: An empirical examination - Mis Quarterly JSTOR Tallon, P.P (2008). Inside the Adaptive Enterprise: An Information Technology Capabilities Perspective onBusinessProcessAgility - Information Technology and Management.