IT Infrastructure: Advantages, Disadvantages, Theories and Methods, and Globalization Effects

This report discusses the advantages and disadvantages of IT infrastructure, including cloud computing and network infrastructure. It also covers theories and methods related to IT solutions, such as McAfee and Moodle, and examples of decision support systems, executive support systems, transaction processing systems, management information systems, and knowledge management systems. Lastly, it explores the impact of globalization on IT.

IT Infrastructure

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY ..................................................................................................................................1
Cloud Computing.........................................................................................................................1
Theories and methods relates to development ............................................................................3
Decision Support System ............................................................................................................3
Executive Support System...........................................................................................................4
Transaction Processing System....................................................................................................4
Management Information System ...............................................................................................4
Knowledge Management System................................................................................................4
Globalization and effects of IT ...................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Digital infrastructure may be referred as digital technologies which provides foundation to
organisation's operations and information technology (Schade and Schuhmacher, 2022). It
facilitates in bringing together and interconnects virtual and physical technologies such as
storage, technology, applications, technologies and SaaS platforms. Many companies opt this
foundation to architect their services to access ecosystem and for global digital delivery.
Technological trends were already underway due to pandemic. It has been analysed that 475 of It
decision makers said that digital transinformation have boosted their operating and supported in
overcoming from impact of COVID-19. This project report is based on digital infrastructure
along with its advantages and disadvantages. In addition to that it will cover theories and
methods related to IT solutions and example of transaction processing system and management
Information system. At last, it will cover globalisation and its impact on IT.
MAIN BODY
Cloud Computing
It may be referred as a general term for anything that is involved in delivering hosted services
over internet. This infrastructure can be either public or private. A public c;oud sells services on
internet and a private cloud is a proprietary network which supplies hosted services to a limited
number of people. The core aim of cloud computing is to easy, scalable access to IT services and
computing resources (Gulliver, Fahmi and Abramson, 2021). Cloud infrastructure includes
software and hardware components that are required for proper implementation of cloud
computing model. Following are advantages and disadvantages of cloud infrastructure. Reduced cost- By opting cloud infrastructure in organisation, it will hep in cut down of
unnecessary cost and makes company more productive and efficient. Saves time – This infrastructure helps in saving time as data can be accessed anytime. Flexible -This infrastructure is flexible in nature and can be modified and altered as per
requirement of an organisation. Saves data- Customer data is precious to company and cloud infrastructure facilitates in
recovering data, in case of system or technical failure.
Disadvantages
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 Cloud security -Security is considered as the greatest challenge when it comes to cloud
computing. Data may be lost in case of hacking and data breach. Cost unpredictability- In cloud infrastructure, it becomes complex to predict cost as it
have pay and go subscription plans which fluctuates as per demand of company. Thus, it
makes difficult for company to opt this alternative (Wang and et al., 2017). Lack of capability and expertise- As the cloud supporting technologies are increasing
rapidly and many companies are still struggling to provide training and skills to
employees. It is needed to deploy with proper training and skills for smooth functioning
of organisation. IT governance -In cloud infrastructure, there is no control over provisions and
deprovisions and management of operations. So, it can make challenging and complex to
manage security and risk.
Network Infrastructure
This infrastructure encompasses with a numerous hardware devices, network servivces and
software applications. The hardware infrastructure involves switches, routers, gateways, bridges
and modems. While on the other hand, software infrastructure involves operating systems and
monitoring and management tools. It is a broader collection of fundamental components which
work cohesively so as to run IT network and considered as an integral part of IT structure of an
organisation (Chaudhary, Somani and Buyya, 2017).
Advantages Efficiency – By creating a strong network infrastructure, it helps in minimising downtime
and guarantees in remaining consistent in terms of productivity. Scalability- having a reliable network infrastructure promotes growth of business without
redesigning of work. Cost effective- Administering expenses are consistent and company may face fewer
network disturbance which may affect bottom line. Reach -Network infrastructure facilitates in connecting with people, no matter their
location.
Disadvantages Involves high capital requirement -To setup a network infrastructure requires high
capital to be invested and for small companies, it becomes difficult to opt this alternative.
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 Complex -To maintain a network infrastructure is a complex procedure and requires
training and needs a network manager to be employed. Time consuming -It is highly time consuming process and takes time to setup network
infrastructure. In big companies, it takes longer to create network infrastructure.
 Risk of virus- Other system can be affected by virus and it may treat to data of company.
With computer network, virus can be transmitted to other computer too.
Theories and methods relates to development McAfee- This software can be developed by CI and CD practices (Continuous
Integration/ continuous Delivery) methodology. This software is highly tested by A/B
analysis in order to creates significant insight for further development (Michie, 2019). It
is developed as per market trends and its features can be altered, if needed. It is highly
opted by many companies to prevent their system from virus. In the initial stage of
McAfee, waterfall technology is used but now not opted by company. Product Lifecycle
framework is used for development of McAfee.
 Moodle- Development methodology of Moodle consist of six stages which are discovery,
shaping, implementation, QA testing, Release and evaluation. In the first stage, feedbacks
are taken from UX team of Moodle and from various stakeholders. In the next stage, it
focus on initiation of high level design and specification. In the next stage, it does an
intensive testing so as to check that there would be no regression and in some instances
publishes Beta versions too. In next stage, new version is released to users and rolled out
to users. In the last stage, company takes feedback from various stakeholders and ensures
that company have met their expectation or not. It will help in making essential
improvements in next process.
Decision Support System
It may be referred as a computer program application that is used by companies in order
to improve decision making capabilities. It analyses large amount of data and facilitates manager
in better decision making. It makes work easier for many companies and interprets data so as to
create insight for decision making. GPS route planning is one of the most common example of
DSS.
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Executive Support System
This system facilitates in supporting senior executive information and decision making needs. In
addition to that, it provides easy access to external and internal information that is relevant to
organisational goals (Schwellnus and et al., 2018). The core objective of ESS is to provide real
time information to high level management along with support strategic activities such as
planning, forecasting and goal setting.
Transaction Processing System
This system helps in making transaction and ensures that information is stored,send and receive
via database. Along with that, it consist of computer software and hardware hosting a transaction
oriented application which facilitates in performing routine transactions that are necessary for
conducting business.
Management Information System
It is the study of technology, people, organisation and relationship among them. It is a people
oriented field that emphasize on service through technology. Many companies use information
system at every level of operation to collect, analyse and store data. This information is used to
carry out daily operations of company and makes company more productive . Strategies can be
modified or altered by having relevant information stored in MIS. Example of MIS are payroll
processing and order processing.
Knowledge Management System
This system facilitates in storing and retrieving knowledge so as to enhance knowledge, process
alignment and collaboration. This system can exist in teams or in organisation but can be used in
centring the knowledge base. In addition to that, it helps companies in organising documentation
and FAQs into easily accessible format for both internal and external users.
Globalization and effects of IT
It may be referred as the process of speeding up of movement and exchange of goods and
services all over world. It facilitates in effortless of exchange of information from one country to
another and makes easier in process of globalisation. It leads to new ideas, products and services
to new countries. It have positively affected whole world and connects world. Technology helps
in overcoming from various hurdles of globalisation and international trade such as lack of
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ethical standards, trade barriers, delay in information exchange and changing market. IT plays
crucial role in globalization and many business are struggling with barriers of globalization but
Information Technology makes it easier to operate business. Technological advancements helps
companies in reducing transport and communication cost across nation. Along with that, IT has
lead to emergence of global village. As technology is easily transferable to developing countries
in which high tech production can be combined with low wages.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Chaudhary, S., Somani, G. and Buyya, R. eds., 2017. Research advances in cloud computing.
Springer Singapore.
Gulliver, R., Fahmi, M. and Abramson, D., 2021. Technical considerations when implementing
digital infrastructure for social policy. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 56(2), pp.269-287.
Michie, J. ed., 2019. The handbook of globalisation. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Schade, P. and Schuhmacher, M.C., 2022. Digital infrastructure and entrepreneurial action-
formation: A multilevel study. Journal of Business Venturing, 37(5), p.106232.
Schwellnus and et al., 2018. Labour share developments over the past two decades: The role of
technological progress, globalisation and “winner-takes-most” dynamics.
Wang and et al., 2017. Cloud computing: methodology, systems, and applications. CRC Press.
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