ARCHITECTURE AND OPERATIONS MATURITY

SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIESArchitecture and IT Alignment and operational and

Optimization savings opportunities

The diagrams above illustrate how Business strategy and IT strategy should and can be applied at all levels Depicted in the diagram as the Enterprise Architecture flows throughout in the orange section portion of the diagram.

It relates business strategy and administration and IT Strategy to all levels of the Enterprise Architecture. It is covered in more detail in the next sections.

The diagram above is focused on the applications layer of the model the business and it benefits are outlined on the right.

The diagram above is focused on the Application Enabling Infrastructure / Architecture Services, the business and it benefits are outlined on the right

The diagram above is focused on the Enterprise Infrastructure Services, and the Computer Hardware, Storage, Network and Cloud layer, the business and it benefits are outlined on the right

Employing a strategy which is influenced at all levels on business goals and a common architecture, produces savings by focusing all activities to the vision and measures which are all related to the business strategy. Each item at each level can be referenced to the business goals and can be stated in terms in terms of the contribution of each item to the business goals.

Each section has been outlined in terms of the Business and IT work supports the business goals. This insures delivery of corporate strategy, and thus works with each item to provide the desired results. This enables work at each level to be understood by all IT efforts, and as a result provides the means to report to organization leadership’s goals.

All levels of the IT architecture are in line with enterprise goals and can be stated separately, and enable better executive reporting or for outsourcing of activities with clear measures. It provides direction to insure the IT changes from application development down to data center operations and the ability to leverage cloud services and SaaS.

The following diagrams illustrates the Business and IT benefits of using this IT Enterprise approach at each level of the Business and IT Architecture.

The section which follows outlines the architecture benefits related to the maturity of IT operations as well as optimization savings available and how maturity can drive cost savings based on the focus of operational functions. It has a sever focus but is also a valuable tool for Data Center operations, and has been used many times generating savings of over 20% savings.

Cost reduction estimates were harvested from Microsoft's IOI initiative.

Operational IT Maturity in the table above has a direct effect on Saving IT Spending, such as the costs outlined below.

Cost reduction estimates were harvested from Microsoft's IOI initiative.

IT staff taxed by operational challenges

Users come up with their own IT solutions

IT Staff trained in best practices such as MOF, ITIL, etc.

Users expect basic services from IT

IT Staff manages an efficient, controlled environment

Users have tools they need, high availability, & access to information

IT is a strategic assetUsers look to IT as a

valued partner to enable new business initiatives

IT processes undefinedHigh complexity due to

localized processes & minimal central control

Central Admin & config of security

Standard desktop images defined, not adopted company-wide

SLAs are linked to business objectives

Clearly defined and enforced images, security, best practices (MOF, ITIL)

Self assessing & continuous improvement

Information easily & securely accessed from anywhere on Internet

Patch status of desktops is unknown

No unified directory for access management

Multiple directories for authentication

Limited automated software distribution

Automate identity and access management

Automated system management

Self provisioning and quarantine capable systems ensure compliance & high availability

Above is the Microsoft Infrastructure Optimization model The basis for the maturity cost savings outlined savings estimates.

Hardware / Software

Total Direct Costs

End User Productivity & Downtime (Indirect Cost)

Total TCO

Administration

Operations

$1,258

$394

$366

$2,017

$1,306

$3,323

$1,406

$734

$428

$2,568

$2,952

$5,520

$1,366

$617

$373

$2,356

$2,450

$4,806

16% 36%

13% 31%

8% 14%

Microsoft model estimated savings opportunities through maturity

The methodology above was used to measure, improve and deliver the savings opportunities. I developed this approach which was used in the projects to measure the potential savings and costs, which produced savings for numerous clients and became a standard offering for Avanade Canada.

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The methodology above was used to measure, improve and deliver the savings opportunities. I developed this approach which was used in the projects to measure the potential savings and costs, which produced savings for numerous clients and became a standard offering for Avanade Canada.

Example client results of a project which I personally managed, using the methods and measures outlined above.

Microsoft document