Glossary of terms
Competitive advantage: this is the advantage that is gained over the competitors by way of giving clients greater value of service either by price reduction of increasing the value of a product or service
Information technology: this is the application of tecxhnology associated witj computers to business so that business processes can be simplified
IT environment management: This is managing the environment where the information technology products are stored.
Digital world: It is a term that is used to denote a world which is driven by information technology in most processes.
IT management environment
There has been along debate about the role of IT environment manager in an organization with many seconding it from different areas in the organization. The task of deciding where a server will be positioned and where other client compouters are position lies with both the infrastructure team and the development team. This role has been provided by the development manager and the infrastructure both of which have a riole to play in this undertaking (Clarke 65).
Business requires that there is change more often; this change will also require technology for it to be effective. With new technology, it will mean that the business will also be required to manage both the new and legacy environments. With the advent of virtualization, we are now able to have a new infrastructure set in place without having to pit up new devices and infrastructure in place. With this new technology, we can have a new infrastructure running in parallel with the legacy environment. With this, it means that new business capabilities can be provided within a short time and there is more efficient use of the resources that are found in the business (Barney and Hesterly 81).
The most difficult task is making sure that development and test requirements are on track and also making sure that projects have the right infrastructure within a given time. Another challenge is having one person who understands the capabilities of the different various environments that are used for testing and development in all the projects that are being undertaken. Environment management then entails coordinating all activities found in Data management, Configuration management, Release management, Infrastructure management, and Test management (Langer 612).
The tasks that are carried out in data management include provisions test data are converted per test scenario and also per environment. It also provides a consistent procedure in test environments. It also ensures that there is refreshes of data before each test pass is started. It also makes sure that the administration and acquisition of data that are used in the project is controlled. The data that are got from the storage and also from the retrieval systems are handled by Data management processes. It also provides rules and guidelines that are used for managing and handling classified data. It also has the role of planning and delivery of data to a test environment (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson 662).
Configuration management is concerned with ensuiring that the right version of data management is used in the development activity. With configuration management, historical versions can be got and deployed to the test environment. With configuration management, there will be the detection of defects both in the source code and the test environment.
Release management is tasked with making sure that there is a consistent release of software in the organization. This will ensure that the users are not disrupted in their work when new software releases are managed and decision as to whether to release Beta version of the software or final release. They are all managed here. Release management also ensures that the hardware have the right procedures set in place. There is need to have regular backup in the environment. Aklso in this area, there is the provision of virtual environments upto the opertating system and network level.
Then there is test management. This, according to Clarke(76), is the monitoring of the environment after bugs have been fixed or after the deployment has been undertaken. In test environment, core functionaliuty is is tracked in the environment. The processes that support the environment are also supported here. The test cases are verified so that the environment can be approved for use.
The environment management is tasked with ensuring that the environment is available the way it had been planned. There is the need to ensure that the releases, upgrades and the changes are effected as planned. The defects that are associated with the environment are logged and coordinated for their solution. When testing is complete, the reuse of the environment is also done so that there is management of resources.
The role of information technology in competitive advantage
As Barney and Hesterly (771) argue, information technology plays a key role in bringing a competitive edge for companies over their comoetition. Companies are spending in excess of 50% in information technology alone. With this spending, then, there is a need to ensure that the investment in information technology is streamklined so that the benefit that has been looked for is achieved. Information technology does brings the right competitive advantage if it is used well. With it, companies are now able to reach their clients and the potential clients over the Internet. The use of social networks enables companies to reach to niche markets very easily. Information technology has made it possible to get the feedback from the client and work toward fulfilling this role.
Managing in the digital world
There is a need to manage information technology to achieve competitive edge in a digital world. Without management of IT and competitive advantage, it will lead to lose of control of the advantages that are supposed to be obtained. It is therefore necessary to have competive edge in management so that environment can be augmented with the company competitive advantage to come out successfully. Management of information is important as people might misuse the information technology they have for their own selfish interests. Management of information in a digital world is important as the available information technology that is being used should be used in bringing an edge over the competition. Management of the environment will therefore make sure that the processes that have been mentioned are coordinated well for a successful integration. The digital world is filled with information overload which requires that the load of information is managed well. Companies realize too well that information management will cut down on costs and will also ensure that the right information and strategy is engaged.
In conclusion, management of IT environment is important and is required so that the information use is leveraged. The environment and the IT are supposed to be managed well for a successful business and so that the business gains some edge over the competitors.
Barney, Jay and William Hesterly. Strategic management and competitive advantage: Concepts and cases. Sussex: Prentice Hall, 2007.
Clarke, Bob. Securing a NetWare 6.5 Installation and Server Environment. USA: SANS Institute, 2004.
Hitt, Michael, Duane Ireland and Robert Hoskisson. Strategic management: Competitiveness and globalization, concepts. New York: Cengage Learning, 2010.
Langer, Arthur Mike. IT an organizational learning: Managing change through technology and education. New York: Routledge, 2005.