Introduction

It is difficult to overstate the importance of IT architecture and design-related services within the business world. Put simply, these services are concerned with providing the foundations upon which all other IT solutions will be built. Given the extent that organisations rely on information technology, these foundations need to be rock solid.

In order to achieve this, you need to have a clear understanding of your own IT-related requirements, the way resources need to be allocated, and also the way that some of these things can come into conflict. This means understanding how systems, resources, data and tasks interact with and affect one another.

When it comes to developing and maintaining your IT architecture, you want it to be efficient and robust, so that it holds up when faced with the challenges presented by your day-to-day business operations. However, on top of this, you also need it to be flexible, so that adjustments can be made without leading to unwanted or unanticipated problems.

Not only can we deliver on these general requirements, we will also work closely with you to understand your business and ensure IT architecture and design-related decisions are tailored to the specific needs of your organisation.

Here at Fifosys, our team of expert architects, IT engineers and project managers will work collaboratively with key business decision makers, ensuring you have the best possible foundations to build upon. This process will include everything from an initial assessment, through to recommendations, implementation and continuous support.

Modern Business IT Challenges

IT systems have the potential to drive growth and boost overall business efficiencies. In addition, modern computer technology can transform the way work is done and even where it is carried out. While all of this offers enormous potential, it also throws up some challenges and organisations need to be able to contend with them.

In particular, there is a greater need to cope with:

• Security Threats - From malicious cyber attacks, to proper data protection and simple human error, companies need to be aware of the threats that exist and the methods for keeping networks and information safe.
• Remote Work - There are growing requirements for work to be carried out away from the workplace and heightened expectations from employees that they will be able to work from home, at least occasionally.
• Business Continuity - With even the best solutions in place to mitigate risk, things can still go wrong. The challenge for businesses is recovering from disaster quickly and effectively, so that disruption is minimised.
• New Requirements - Technology is constantly evolving and as new hardware becomes available, new software is released and new expectations arise, businesses must be able to make adjustments. A key challenge involves introducing new additions without causing major disruption or requiring a complete re-design each time.

These challenges can only be met with the right technology, the right planning and the right infrastructure. At the heart this requires the right people with the experience to be able to advise, guide and evidence solutions being proposed. This includes technical decision drivers and business decisions drivers being considered together at all times.

Architecture & Design in Business

Business reliability is a fundamental concern. Whether you need to maintain access to important data on a 24/7 basis, keep your systems operational so that customers can order from you around the clock, or allow employees to carry out work remotely without jeopardising company security; architecture and design must be a top priority.

It is also important to make sure the foundations you build upon are fit for the future. Whether you introduce new systems or technology, or whether you need to relocate, you want to avoid any unnecessary roadblocks or upheaval.

At Fifosys, we have always had our finger on the pulse when it comes to these issues. For example, we have offered cloud services since 2006 - before many were even using the phrase 'cloud computing' and long before most companies had woken up to the benefits of off-premise IT infrastructure and data storage solutions.

We will help to map out your IT assets and then work on understanding your infrastructure, requirements and goals. From there, we can recommend specific platforms, technologies and solutions, then assist you as you implement them. This will then make ongoing IT management much easier, help you to future-proof your business and ensure any risks are appropriately mitigated during the change process.