IT Strategy

An information systems project, either in the realm of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) or Enterprise Content Management (ECM) is going to introduce new information technology (IT) to an organization. It's worthwhile to understand how this investment will fit within the existing IT infrastructure.

Does our Company Need an IT Strategy?
Yes. Many IT systems are only departmental applications created or purchased in response to changing business conditions. The problems associated with these silos of information include:

• Limited visibility and flexibility across departmental boundaries.
• High integration costs with other systems.
• High development, enhancement and maintenance costs.

These problems are well recognized, and any initiative to improve competitiveness will highlight these as key issues. The challenge is to create fit among these IT components and the electronic information that they contain.

An IT Strategy is a significant consideration in the design of a PLM or ECM solution as it provides the "To Be" vision and a roadmap on how to get there.