The Changing Face of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
In today's business context organizations are increasingly using the Internet for their Business Information and Communication.
Information Systems are increasingly leveraging on Web Technology; be it, small organizations or individuals promoting themselves through single page web sites or large corporations like, Dell Computers, providing customers an on-line purchasing experience.
Large monolith Software systems of yester years costing millions of dollars are steadily being substituted for on-line applications (Web applications) at a fraction of the cost. Thanks, to Software being offered as a Service (to large number of customers), rather than as a product (owned and used by a single customer), the cost of ICT (Information & Communication Technology) solutions has reduced.
A Transformation in Progress…
Communication using 'email attachments', in the form of Excel Sheets, PDF files and Word Documents ushered in on-line Document Management Systems. These systems help centralization of documents and provide additional facilities of access control and version management.
Today's Adage
With connectivity, access and a suitable 'interface' one can be better informed, communicate with people in different parts of the world, entertain one self and even work on-line!
Some Scenarios for using the Internet for Business Needs
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A Business wants to provide Information regarding its products and services to a large number of people; geographically distributed.
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Businesses want to collect information from a large number of people; purchase requirements of their customers, customer service requests, applications from prospective employees, etc.
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Businesses want to provide Customers and Suppliers, specific information; status of their orders, reports, etc. (accessed on-line using a login name and a password).
A Business wants geographically distributed teams to collaborate for important organizational tasks.
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Businesses want to educate employees, customers and other stakeholders by providing on-line courses and literature that they can access through web browsers.
Business Management Solutions for the next generation businesses
Information and Communication Systems form the lifeline of any business (or organization).
To build 'anything' we need 'Resources'. To build ICT solutions we need Information and Communication resources! An Information resource that is deployed (available for use over the Internet is here-in called a 'Web Resource'). To build Business Management Solutions on the Web (Internet), businesses need Web Resources.
How can Businesses define, design, develop and deploy Web Resources, efficiently and effectively?
With the advent of SaaS (Software as a Service) the process of designing, building and using Web Software (Web Resources) has undergone a sea change. SCALE, is a platform developed by Digiprotech that provides an integrated approach to building and managing Web Resources.
Understanding 'Web Resources' in the context of SCALE
Web Resources are data or programs that utilize Web Technologies for their creation, use, storage or destruction. Web Resources may be in the form of data and/or programs (This is the definition of Web Resource used within SCALE). Web Resources are addressed using a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). In SCALE the URL or Hyperlink is also considered a Web Resource.
Since, Organizations, Teams and Individuals (referred to as Entities in SCALE) use the Internet in a variety of ways. SCALE, provides the concept of 'Web Adaptation', to understand an Entity's unique needs vis-à-vis the Internet (Web). The concept is based on an Entity's Web Resources.
Web Adaptation
The proliferation of Internet Users has resulted in the need for businesses to deploy increasing number Web Resources. The 'Degree' of Web Adaptation is a ratio, of the number of Web Resources of an Entity to the total number of Information Resources of that Entity.
Levels of Web Adaptation
Based on the Degree of Web Adaptation, entities are classified into one of four levels:
Level 1
Organizations, Teams or Individuals in this level have a minimum amount of Web Resources, which may include:
A website with one or more web pages, hosted to provide information about their products and services; contact information; profile information and the like.
Level 2
Level 2 Entities have additional Web Resources in comparison with Level 1.
There are forms on Web Pages (Web Forms) to collect information from users/visitors.
The Web Resources include 'Server Side programs' and simple databases that store data collected through Web Forms. 'Reports' are generated from stored data.
Level 3
Entities at this level have well organized Web Resources which form an integral part of their IT Infrastructure.
Well defined Web Applications are designed, developed and deployed for use by various stakeholders to the business/project.
Level 4
These Entities have a major part of their IT Infrastructure built using Web Technology.
They provide all stakeholders controlled access to information.
Anywhere, Anytime access to Information using a 'Web Browser'.
Level 4 entities have adapted to Web completely and evolve with it!
