Chapter 1. Today's Computing Environment

Complexity, Complexity, Complexity

Today more than ever, IT professionals are forced to operate in a complex business environment where success is no longer determined by a single factor, such as getting the best computer system or having the right technical skills. Now, complexity is the norm — and every aspect of the environment is becoming more complex. In the following sections, we identify six key areas of complexity.

Multiple Technologies and Protocols

Not long ago, mission-critical systems all ran on mainframe technology. With the advent of the PC, local area networks (LAN) and related technologies, many business applications moved from the protected realm of the mainframe data center to the free-flowing ...

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