Web-Based Infrastructures: A 4-D Framework

Rating:
Summary: Finally! Updated processes aligned to modern environments
Review: Having read (and reviewed) the eleven previous books in the Enterprise Computing series my expectations for this book were high - and completely met.

Like the other books in the series the structure and content covers people, process and technology, with an emphasis on business and stakeholder requirements. Unlike the other books, which are steeped in traditional approaches to reliability, availability and support processes that were born in the mainframe environment, this one gives those proven processes a facelift and aligns them to the realities of web time and pressures. Not that the parent processes were flawed - they were not agile enough to support the rapidly changing technical and business requirements that are constantly emerging. However, the best part of this book is that it never loses sight of business imperatives, which is something that needs to be reinforced in the minds of IT operations and management staff.

The book starts with a detailed discussion of business drivers, then covers the four essential dimensions of the web infrastructure framework. This is a blend of business- and technical-oriented actions, which includes understanding all factors and drivers, planning and phased implementation, value chain analysis and agile processes. In fact, the one aspect of the earlier books that I lamented - forcing old (but proven and necessary) processes, such as change control into web-based and e-business environments was not working. While the processes are essential, they needed streamlining, which is something many of us who specialize in service support and delivery have been grappling with. This book provides streamlined approaches that meet the requirements of contemporary environments, while maintaining the integrity of the processes themselves. This alone is reason enough to read this book.

The book ends with a case study that illustrates the key points made in the main body of the book, and also provides excellent material in the four appendices (including change control templates).

Rating:
Summary: Traditional Approaches Infused with Web Reality
Review: Perhaps the major failure of the Internet Boom was its attempt to fit business models to technology. Had analysts fit the technology to the business model, we may have had a different experience.

A major theme of this book is that unless one keeps a clear eye on the four principle - business, people, process and technology - business drivers, it is difficult, if not impossible, to steer a course towards success.

There is no escaping the fact the Internet merely enables a more well-planned approach to securing a strategic position in a competitive market. It is not a one stop solution. The book demonstrates exactly how to integrate all four elements to deliver maximum value.

The authors conclude their book with a case study that illustrates the principles they espouse. In their appendix, they include interest assessment and change-management templates along with an interesting chapter on project management.

This book aligns the traditional mainframe approaches of reliability, availability and support with the realities of the web. It is worth every penny of its purchase price.

Rating:
Summary: Traditional Approaches Infused with Web Reality
Review: Perhaps the major failure of the Internet Boom was its attempt to fit business models to technology. Had analysts fit the technology to the business model, we may have had a different experience.

A major theme of this book is that unless one keeps a clear eye on the four principle - business, people, process and technology - business drivers, it is difficult, if not impossible, to steer a course towards success.

There is no escaping the fact the Internet merely enables a more well-planned approach to securing a strategic position in a competitive market. It is not a one stop solution. The book demonstrates exactly how to integrate all four elements to deliver maximum value.

The authors conclude their book with a case study that illustrates the principles they espouse. In their appendix, they include interest assessment and change-management templates along with an interesting chapter on project management.

This book aligns the traditional mainframe approaches of reliability, availability and support with the realities of the web. It is worth every penny of its purchase price.