Enterprise Information Architecture - Assignment Example

Enterprise Information Architecture 1. Enterprise Architecture is a comprehensive compilation of an organization’s operational frameworks, their design, functionality, interrelation and applications. This is the framework through which the goals of the organization are forged, continuous analysis of the elements of the architecture conducted to streamline efficiency and achieve the set goals (Lankhorst, Marc. 2009). Enterprise architecture can be considered an art because it involves re-invention of systems, re-designing of operations and re-structuring operations. The strategic utilization of the various methodologies demands expertise and a creative intellect, therefore qualifying the process to be considered an art. 2. Technical Work Products Physical – This entails the geography and topography for the data centers in the cloud computing model. A suitable environment for the deployment of the services is key in the success of the development of the services. Virtualization – Since some of the cloud computing services touch on the already existing infrastructure, the deployment must not have a negative impact on them unless it’s for eventual service on demand. Storage – The services are to be architecture to suit the storage space and environment that suits them. Depending on the different service layers, the cloud computing services and products must create hardware storage solutions to the consumers. Network – Cloud computing products are work on network bases such as Cisco 6509s. Each development has is set up to a network depending on the purpose of the product or the solution to be provided. The achievement of a service compatible to the network service is a cloud computing breakthrough. Security – Security is a crucial component in the successful launch of cloud computing services. For successful computing architecture, security issues with the use of a product must be eliminated. In addition, the product architecture must allow constant security improvements to enhance service performance. 3. As an IT Architect, the maturity level of a capability model is important because it represents the process through which software is improved. The relative maturity of the capabilities will thus determine how efficient or appropriate the capabilities are from the organization’s improvement priorities. From this, it would be easy to develop capabilities consistence with the specific improvement being sought. The relative maturity intricately affects my architecture and deliverables as it determines how well the objectives of the enterprise architecture are achieved. Secondly, in terms of quality, the level of maturity and its flexibility to improvement also dictates the quality of the deliverables as planned by the developer (Lankhorst, Marc. 2009). 4. Systems Context diagram in a hospital 5. Key Performance Indicators (KPI), help in overhead analysis of the performance of an architectural design. KPIs measure the impact of the IT infrastructure, such as how much automation is achieved and the impact that the automation is having. Through these parameters, the deliverables are gauged to determine the streamline of the technological process and save on resources. This enables the architect keep an eye on the bigger picture. For a business set up, the Key Performance Indicators are a guideline for the delivery of the benefits of the service. The TWPs that can reflect on the KPIs include cost reduction which entails the cutting the costs of the current reduction with the implementation of the IT architecture. Another TWP that would be measured by KPI is the revenue increase as this comes with the target of the enterprise architecture. Since the introduction of new products is architecture’s IT deliverable, its success has to be reflected through the KPIs. 6. Cloud Computing systems have a wide range of capabilities relevant to business organizations. One is standardization of the services. Cloud computing services are standardized in that they can be offered to individuals, firms and corporate companies with tailoring to fit the need for which they are used. In line with this, they are self-service kind of services that can be accessed easily at the click of a button. Cloud computing is also capable of virtualization of services and use of the internet. Cloud computing creates a virtual environment for computing, storage of data and information as well as communication offering sustainable solutions to internet risks. Cloud automation is developed to allow system configurations for the performance of specific tasks. Once the software are programmed through the cloud technology, the computer systems use the codes to handle complex operations saving on the time and input required to manage the systems. 7. A logical operation model describes a model entities individually and then how the entities relate to each other. The operational model helps to develop solution topology within the entities of the system. Besides this, logical operational models show the unique attributes of an entity or combination of unique attributes by the use of a primary key. The physical operational model is very detailed in describing the model entities. Physical operational model describes the entity details and goes a step further to give information about how the entity would be implemented in the model. This model maps a entity based solutions tracing back to the system hardware (Barros, Alistair, et al., 65). Therefore, the actual products involved in the solution are outlined while the placement of the physical nodes is accomplished in the physical operational model. Between the two, the logical operational model is would be completed first because it is the basis from which the physical operational model works. Also, all the model components have to be understood from the logical operational model for the physical operational model to be employed (Barros, Alistair, et al., 65). 8. The Taxonomic Service Qualities requirements for Functional Services would be performance, security, interoperability, scalability and reliability. In terms of performance, the systems should be equipped to execute the tasks for which it is designed. The system’s safety from unauthorized access guarantees data and information security satisfying the security quality. A functional systems also gives an extra advantage if it can be interoperative with other services within or outside the model. This means that it is flexible and can be stretched to perform alongside other services. Scalability as a quality measure refers to the ability of a functional system to adjust in size so as to fit in the context within which it is used. Finally on the measure of reliability, the systems operation should not be prone to failure or collapse especially that which cannot be recovered. System failure must be kept at the very minimal (Marston, Sean, et al., 180). 9. The Infrastructure Service Layer which is the base layer encompasses the centre-space services that are outsourced such that the consumer does not need to perform any form of upgrade on the products. In this service layer, virtual servers run applications in cloud, there is also virtual data storage and virtual abstraction. This means that the virtual servers are logically managed rather than through the physical operations. Platform as a service layer provides full hardware and a framework of the software consistent with the hardware architecture. The Paas layer suits consumers that need large web-based applications that are very flexible. The cloud computing providers therefore offer a platform or environment where such application can run. Cloud providers write codes for the development of Amazon, Google and other cloud based environments. The third layer in cloud computing is the Software as a service (SaaS). SaaS provides software that is available commercially along with access to the software over the internet. Customer regulations such as licensing are handled by the provider who also ensures that any software bugs are fixed, that the software is free of patches and the required upgrades (Marston, Sean, et al., 180). Software as a Service avails numerous software for consumers to rent including the contact management software, project management software and scheduling software. Most consumers would opt for this service layer because they do not have to purchase hardware components to host the services. The most popular of the three service providers would be the Software-as a Service layer. This is because much of what entails management and maintenance is handled from the backend by the provider. There is also no bulk associated with utilization of services provided by the SaaS as opposed to the other layers where one has to purchase several components so as to utilize the cloud computing services. More than this, users are not bound by the operating system because it reduced to a place for web browser to access and use the software. This makes the Software-as-a- Service layer more consumable via public cloud service. 10. Fictitious Business Drivers for Cloud Computing NO. Business Driver Explanation Critical Success Factors 1 Business Growth Increasing the market share in the healthcare sector and the annual sale of services. Venturing into emerging markets Attracting more consumers 2 Efficiency Streamlining service delivery to patients. Improving the systems through which the facility runs. Increased productivity. Reduced waiting time patients and provision of high quality services. 3 Assurance Safeguarding databases and information records. Achieving high level data security competence. High maintenance by the service provider. 4 Experience Ensuring the patient experience is as expected by the patient. Creating channels of communication with the patient. Introducing tools that enhance workplace productivity. 5 Corporate Responsibility Having a positive impact on the environment, the society and complying with the industry’s regulations. Compliance with the industry regulations. Works Cited Barros, Alistair, et al. "Processes, roles, and events: UML concepts for enterprise architecture." «UML» 2000—The Unified Modeling Language (2000): 62-77. Lankhorst, Marc. Enterprise architecture at work. Vol. 352. Berlin: Springer, 2009. Mario, G. (2010). The art of enterprise information architecture: a systems-based approach for unlocking business insight. Pearson Education India. Marston, Sean, et al. "Cloud computing—the business perspective." Decision support systems 51.1 (2011): 176-189. Read More