ASSIGNMENT

Computer Applications in Business

Submitted By:

Muhammad Haris
Roll # FA18M3MA025
MBA (4years) 2nd – Semester

Submitted To:

Prof Moshin Mateen

IT Infrastructure Definition
IT Infrastructure is defined as the sum total of all free or licensed system software,
third party services and owned or leased out equipment that are used in common
throughout the company irrespective of the nature of business or operations
involved.
IT Infrastructure Components
Making informed decisions is easier if you’ve the right information. Listed below
are major components that form the core of a small or mid-size company’s IT
infrastructure. The exact breakdown for a company depends upon its size, nature of
business, online presence etc.
Hardware
The IT infrastructure hardware includes computer systems (laptops or desktop
computers), LAN switches, hubs, repeaters, routers & servers. The hardware can be
purchased according to the available budget and system performance required. It’s
advisable to always consult a technical competent person even if you’re just
purchasing few desktops for your office. For servers, routers etc., you can rely on
the IT support company on whom you’ll entrust the responsibility of server or
network management.
Services
Main services in a typical IT infrastructure include
Administrating all work stations.
Installing operating systems and running virus scans on all systems.
Setting up basic software on various computer systems and explaining the usage to
company employees.
Configuring and scheduling backups on one or all systems at a local or remote
location.
Retrieving data in the event of data loss.
Remote infrastructure management.
Configuring networks, file and resource (printers, faxes etc.) sharing etc.
Purchased Software
Many organizations (especially those with over a dozen employees or hundreds of
users such as a school, restaurant or club) use ERP systems. Such software can be
purchased at a one-time price or licensed by paying an annual fee depending upon
software company’s policies. Not all companies that sell such software offer on-site
or remote support to their customers. Unless you have hired a computer science
engineer, you’ll have to rely on an IT support company in that case.

Software Development
You can have new software designed and developed from scratch or customized to
suit your unique needs. Most small and midscale companies do not have
standardized operations and therefore, they often need customized software.
Software Maintenance
Software and application usage licenses once purchased require routine maintenance
and customization. It can be done either by an in-house employee or a third party
service provider who offers IT infrastructure setup and maintenance service locally
or remotely.
Computer hardware platforms
Include client machines and server machines, as well as modern mainframes
produced by IBM. Blade servers are ultrathin servers, intended for a single dedicated
application, and are mounted in space-saving racks.
Operating system platforms include platforms
For client computers, dominated by Windows operating systems, and servers,
dominated by the various forms of the UNIX operating system or Linux. Operating
systems are software that manage the resources and activities of the computer and
act as an interface for the user.
Enterprise and other software applications
Include SAP, Oracle, and PeopleSoft, and middleware software that are used to link
a firm's existing application systems.
Data management and storage
Is handled by database management software and storage devices include traditional
storage methods, such as disk arrays and tape libraries, and newer network-based
storage technologies such as storage area networks (SANs). SANs connect multiple
storage devices on dedicated high-speed networks.

Networking and telecommunications platforms

Include Windows server operating systems, Novell, Linux, and UNIX. Nearly all
LAN and many wide area networks (WANs) use the TCP/IP standards for
networking.

Internet platforms
Overlap with, and must relate to, the firm's general networking infrastructure and
hardware and software platforms. Internet-related infrastructure includes the
hardware, software and services to maintain corporate Web sites, intranets, and
extranets, including Web hosting services and Web software application
development tools. A Web hosting service maintains a large Web server, or series
of servers, and provides fee-paying subscribers with space to maintain their Web
sites.

Consulting and system integration

services
Are relied on for integrating a firm's
legacy systems with new technology and
infrastructure and providing expertise in
implementing new infrastructure along
with relevant changes in business
processes, training, and software
integration. Legacy systems are generally
older transaction processing systems
created for mainframe computers that
continue to be used to avoid the high cost
of replacing or redesigning them.