Information Technology Management Terra Firma

Question: Describe about the IT infrastructure of Terra Firma? Answer: 1. Introduction: Presence of advanced IT infrastructure improves the performance of a business. In this assignment the IT infrastructure of Terra Firma is analyzed. 2. Overview of systems Terra Firma requires improving their IT infrastructure for improving their business performance. The organization can use Oracle, MySQL or Microsoft SQL server for developing and maintaining database.MS Outlook can be used for communicating. RTI E FILING can be used for payroll processing .ERP based applications (TROPOS) can be used for controlling quality of manufactured products. The organization can use Microsoft Dynamics for executing CRM based works. Halogen 360 Multirater can be used for performance appraisal of employees. Manpack 3 TMS can be used for inventory management. (Refer to paragraphs on Information technology and operations at Terra Firma) Services Utility Warranty Oracle, MySQL or Microsoft SQL server Database management Easily available Can be used for long time Secured MS Outlook Communicating within organization Easily available Can be used for long time Secured RTI E-FILING specialist Payroll processing Easily available Can be used for long time Secured TROPOS ERP based software for quality controlling of manufactured products Easily available Can be used for long time Microsoft Dynamics CRM based works Easily available Can be used for long time Halogen 360 Multirater Performance appraisal for employees Easily available Can be used for long time Secured Manpack 3 TMS Inventory management Easily available Can be used for long time Secured Table 1: Utility and Warranty for systems management in Terra Firma 3. ITSM process of Terra Firma: Although the management of Terra Firma focuses on executing the IT operations by their own team, the organization can engage any other company for executing some tasks related to IT Support management. Analysis of the ITSM process in Terra Firma indicates that the whole process combines of several segments. The Business units of an organization utilize the IT infrastructure for executing their daily tasks However, these units inform COO through the business head if they realize that any modification is required..If the proposed project is approved by COO, required modification is done in existing infrastructure. The project is conducted by project management team and project team. After completions of the project; quality of the outcomes is tested by IT architecture team. After completing the modifications IT support team helps the business units so that the usefulness of new system can be optimized. The current analysis indicates that executing activities by the IT team of Terra Firma can reduce profitability of the organization. Management can use service portfolio for executing the projects related to IT infrastructure improvement. Engaging other organizations with ITSM process is not only beneficial for improving the existing infrastructure, but it also enables the organization to improve quality of the project. However, the tasks related with quality checking can be done by companys own architects. Terra Firma Management can use service portfolio in IT operations support also. The tasks related with maintenance of infrastructure can be outsourced for making the infrastructure cost effective. Capabilities Resources Team of COO Infrastructure required for conducting a project and financial resources IT architecture team and support team Newly developed system Business unit Information regarding Shortcoming in existing system Project team Infrastructure required for conducting a project and financial resources Table 2: Capabilities and resources for Terra Firma In table 2 the capabilities and resources involved with the new system development process are identified. 4. ITIL phases in Terra Firma ITSM: Processes in Terra Firma Corresponding ITIL phases Understanding of business needs by business units and COOs approval for project service strategy phase Strategy generation Demand management Project Management Service design phase Supplier management Capacity management Availability management Execution of project and testing Service transition phase Change management Service validation and testing IT Support Team Service operation phase Request fulfillment and problem management Table 3: ITIL phases in Terra Firma Table 3 reflects the processes of Terra Firma in different phases of ITIL.Different Phases of ITIL are Service Strategy, Service Design, Service Transition, Service Operation and Continual Service improvement (McLean, 2013). Analysis of the existing ITM process of Terra Firm indicates that all phases of ITSM are not implemented in the process. Business units of the organization identify needs of new service development and thus the service strategy phase is implemented by these units. The task of Service design is conducted by project team. The project team is also responsible for conducting the tasks related with Service transition .It Architectures and IT operation support units are responsible for executing the tasks related with Service operation. However the phase of continual service is not implemented in the ITSM process of Terra Firm. In the organization only project related issues are resolved. 5. Conclusion: Analysis made in the assignment indicates the shortcomings of existing infrastructure. Suggestions are made for improving the existing infrastructure.