The importance of ICT Architectures

Industry and Network Architectures can help evolve to an intelligent information network that fully integrates and optimizes the networked infrastructure, interactive services, and applications across an entire enterprise. An end-to-end architecture with integrated network services and validated designs can meet the growing demands of the global, mobile workforce and customer base. The ultimate goal of a well defined and implemented architecture is to provide a hospitable environment for revenue to increase (by increasing efficiency and productivity) while reducing cost (by simplifying and modularizing the technology infrastructure). Therefore, I have decided to dedicate multiple posts to the subject: something that I work with on an everyday basis.

First of all, let's start with the basics. Network and IT Architectures can be subdivided and applied to five distinctive places in the network:

1. Campus – the main HQ site or large campus is the cornerstone of the company
   
2. Branch – some studies show that approx 70% of employees work at a branch, not HQ
   
3. Data Center – run the applications that handle the core business
   
4. Teleworker – the virtual office is a reality in a globalized world
   
5. WAN, MAN, Internet – connectivity to customers, business partners, and suppliers
   

In closing, Wikipedia defines architecture as "the art and discipline of creating an actual plan of any complex object or system." It is critical to be aware of the importance of organization and proper planning of any technology implementation.

In the next posts, I will dive into each of the 5 places, to help envision how all elements are interrelated and affect each other.