The Paris Guide to IT Architecture

摘要: J[ddot{u}]rgen Laartz City planners try to preserve viable old assets, replace outmoded and add new assets--all in the context of an infrastructure linking them coherently. IT developers have a good deal learn from that approach. Companies want gain competitive edge, whether by being first into market with products or launching electronic-commerce channel, know how much they depend on information technology architectures achieve their aims. Usually, though, architecture is costly aging maze applications, hardware systems, networks. Far making it possible strategic goals, can make mockery them. But looking at evolution another complicated set systems--those up modern city--senior managers begin understand more frilly controlled rational development enhance ability compete. Stories about companies stumbled because couldn't accommodate rapid drastic change are legion. Fast-growing liable hit wall when fail expand quickly enough serve customers cost-efficiently. Long-established lose share if lack flexibility move as competitors do. A leading international bank discovered this problem hard way. Its strategy involved Internet channel included on-line securities brokerage, but its deadlines were so tight there was no time integrate customer interface back-end systems where transactions be processed. The bank's back-office staff therefore had input each one hand, error-prone process feasible only early days e-brokerage, volumes tiny. How could allowed supervised undermine rather than advance goal? design decisions shaped landscape over years were, individually, sound. people responsible focused delivering required functionality within budget. kept eye big picture. overall thus became too complicated, extremely costly, manage, incapable responding flexibly business needs. Whether chief executives wish undertake e-commerce customer-relationship-management (CRM) initiatives existing way cities adapt needs residents businesses. For, same way, properly conceived administered adapts itself diverse changing company deploys it. We use several analogy between city planning architectures, Paris seems particularly apt. When you walk around Paris, see wonderful variety buildings dating many centuries; closer look reveals majority these structures went past hundred years. such network roads bridges, unites buildings, defining cityscape setting terms which has evolved. Baron Georges-Eug[grave{e}]ne Haussmann commissioned Napol[acute{e}]on III create plan for parts 1850s, he cut boulevards through pattern streets facilitate commerce movement troops. Since then, carefully planned redevelopment sections city, neighborhoods districts distinctive social economic roles. Most office towers, example, located outside historic borders. As result, today, Beaubourg La D[acute{e}]fense, highly efficient unmistakable patchwork eras. renovate those assets still while replacing others adding ones coherent …