There are more requirements for business to be able to run its operations successfully in terms of legal compliance and revenue streams optimisations. Businesses are placing high demands on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to adapt to changing conditions. However, ICT organisations tasked with providing increased service levels at lower costs do not have the resources to reinvent itself with every technological or regulatory change. Without frameworks in place to leverage automation and best practices, these ICT, organisations are consumed with the day-to-day operations of ICT with little time and few resources left to develop new services that add value to the business. There is, therefore, a definite requirement for a central repository system in order to enhance ICT service delivery and strategy for continuing to improve service, lowering per-service delivery costs and enabling ICT organisations to bring new services that support competitive advantages. The company of choice in the study is Sentech, which has recently adopted some of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) processes; these are service desk, incident management, and change management. The company is still in the middle of deciding on whether to implement the configuration management process which will eventually lead to Configuration Management Database (CMDB). This study attempted to indicate the role and the importance of running the CMDB together with the rest of other ITI L processes. The study also indicated how the other processes cannot function effectively without a proper CMDB platform. The primary objective of the study was to identify the importance and the role of CMDB in an ICT environment. The organisation implemented a number of processes such as configuration and change management. To be successful with using the ITIL change management process, it is important that the people, processes, and technologies work together in a coordinated manner to overcome the political roadblocks that usually inhibit cooperation between groups in the same organisation. The study has indicated that the current ITIL processes, such as change management are not achieving the required results due to a lack of proper CMDB. General recommendations on the implementation of the CMOB based on the study were: •Get executive and Board of Directors' support on the implementation of CMOB. •The organisation needs to redefine the role of the General Manager - ICT to a more appropriate role of Chief Information Officer reporting directly to the board. •The organisation must define detailed business processes and procedures. •The organisation must set a clear scope of the CMOB. •The relevant stakeholders on the CMOB must be identified . •A full state of the current ICT processes must be determined. •The business case on the CMOS must be formulated and documented. •Set goals on what the CMOB will have to achieve. •The organisation must create a plan on the implementation of the CMOB. •Identify responsibilities on maintaining the CMOS. •Create awareness within the organisation around CMOB. •Training on CMOB must be offered to the personnel. •The organisation must baseline all ICT assets. •Plan for ongoing management of the CMOB. It is believed that the objective of the study has been met. From the investigation, it has been clear that there is a dire need for an implementation of a central repository system like the CMOS to support other service delivery and support processes. If the recommendations are implemented within Sentech, the company will secure a more effective and efficient service delivery on the ICT platform. Furthermore, Sentech can become an ICT leader and gain a competitive advantage over its fellow competitors. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

There are more requirements for business to be able to run its operations successfully in terms of legal compliance and revenue streams optimisations. Businesses are placing high demands on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to adapt to changing conditions. However, ICT organisations tasked with providing increased service levels at lower costs do not have the resources to reinvent itself with every technological or regulatory change. Without frameworks in place to leverage automation and best practices, these ICT, organisations are consumed with the day-to-day operations of ICT with little time and few resources left to develop new services that add value to the business. There is, therefore, a definite requirement for a central repository system in order to enhance ICT service delivery and strategy for continuing to improve service, lowering per-service delivery costs and enabling ICT organisations to bring new services that support competitive advantages. The company of choice in the study is Sentech, which has recently adopted some of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) processes; these are service desk, incident management, and change management. The company is still in the middle of deciding on whether to implement the configuration management process which will eventually lead to Configuration Management Database (CMDB). This study attempted to indicate the role and the importance of running the CMDB together with the rest of other ITI L processes. The study also indicated how the other processes cannot function effectively without a proper CMDB platform. The primary objective of the study was to identify the importance and the role of CMDB in an ICT environment. The organisation implemented a number of processes such as configuration and change management. To be successful with using the ITIL change management process, it is important that the people, processes, and technologies work together in a coordinated manner to overcome the political roadblocks that usually inhibit cooperation between groups in the same organisation. The study has indicated that the current ITIL processes, such as change management are not achieving the required results due to a lack of proper CMDB. General recommendations on the implementation of the CMOB based on the study were: •Get executive and Board of Directors' support on the implementation of CMOB. •The organisation needs to redefine the role of the General Manager - ICT to a more appropriate role of Chief Information Officer reporting directly to the board. •The organisation must define detailed business processes and procedures. •The organisation must set a clear scope of the CMOB. •The relevant stakeholders on the CMOB must be identified . •A full state of the current ICT processes must be determined. •The business case on the CMOS must be formulated and documented. •Set goals on what the CMOB will have to achieve. •The organisation must create a plan on the implementation of the CMOB. •Identify responsibilities on maintaining the CMOS. •Create awareness within the organisation around CMOB. •Training on CMOB must be offered to the personnel. •The organisation must baseline all ICT assets. •Plan for ongoing management of the CMOB. It is believed that the objective of the study has been met. From the investigation, it has been clear that there is a dire need for an implementation of a central repository system like the CMOS to support other service delivery and support processes. If the recommendations are implemented within Sentech, the company will secure a more effective and efficient service delivery on the ICT platform. Furthermore, Sentech can become an ICT leader and gain a competitive advantage over its fellow competitors. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

Esta monografia apresenta e descreve o trabalho de pesquisa realizado com vistas a obter conclusões e propor recomendações que pudessem ser úteis a profissionais que atuam no campo da Tecnologia da Informação (TI) e a pesquisadores acadêmicos, no que diz respeito: (a) à aplicação do enfoque das opções reais a projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI, de interesse para os primeiros citados, e (b) a novos rumos para a pesquisa sobre a aplicação deste enfoque, de interesse para os últimos. Para atender aos objetivos definidos, o estudo foi realizado em seis etapas: (1) revisão da literatura relativa aos temas envolvidos, (2) elaboração das definições operacionais e definição do modelo de pesquisa e das proposições, (3) escolha da metodologia e do método de pesquisa, (4) elaboração e apresentação dos casos estudados, (5) análise dos casos, verificação das proposições e elaboração de recomendações e (6) elaboração das conclusões finais. A revisão da literatura compreendeu um levantamento bibliográfico amplo sobre infraestrutura de TI, projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI, riscos e gestão de riscos, técnicas para justificação de projetos, opções reais e outros temas complementares. A elaboração das definições operacionais tomou como base o resultado do levantamento bibliográfico e os objetivos da pesquisa. A definição do modelo de pesquisa e o estabelecimento das proposições consideraram os objetivos da pesquisa e os gaps existentes na literatura acadêmica. A escolha da metodologia e do método de pesquisa se deu por meio de um processo de seleção que culminou com a opção pelo estudo de caso. Uma vez feita a opção pelo estudo de caso como método de pesquisa, foram selecionados três casos de projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI, os quais foram explorados e analisados sob a ótica dos temas centrais da pesquisa (com o suporte das definições operacionais assumidas) e com foco na questão e nos objetivos da pesquisa. A análise dos casos estudados contemplou a verificação das seis proposições estabelecidas, que se mostraram integralmente suportadas pelas conclusões obtidas. Por fim, a elaboração das recomendações e considerações finais complementou o estudo. Como contribuição maior, este estudo oferece uma visão realista, simples e objetiva acerca do papel que o enfoque das opções reais pode exercer no contexto dos projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI e coloca à disposição dos pesquisadores um elenco de novas perspectivas para estudo do tema na Academia e ao alcance dos profissionais de TI um novo formato que tende a incentivar a aplicação deste enfoque aos seus projetos. / This report presents and depicts the research carried out in order to find out recommendations that may possibly assist Information Technology (IT) professionals and academic researchers with respect to: (a) the effective use of real options thinking in complex IT infrastructure projects, useful for the formers, and (b) new insights related to academic research focused on how to apply real options thinking, useful for the latter. In order to satisfy the proposed objectives, the research comprised six steps: (1) review the academic literature on the issues involved, (2) develop operational definitions and define the research model and propositions, (3) choose the methodology and the research method, (4) organize and describe the case studies, (5) analyze the cases, verify proposals and make recommendations, and (6) prepare final conclusions. The literature review comprised an extensive bibliography research on IT infrastructure, complex IT infrastructure projects, risks and risk management, project justification techniques, real options and other complementary themes. The results of the literature review and the research objectives were took into account to prepare the operational definitions. To build the research model and set up the propositions, the research objectives were took into account again, as also the existing gaps in the academic literature. The choice of both the methodology and the research method was made through a process that culminated in the choice of the case study method. Once the choice of case study as a research method were made, three cases involving complex IT infrastructure projects were selected and thereafter explored and analyzed under the perspective of the central themes of the research (with support of the assumed operational definitions) and with focus on both the research question and the research objectives. The analysis of the cases comprised the verification of the six propositions stated, which showed themselves to be fully supported by the conclusions drawn. At last, the recommendations and closing remarks were written down and added to the study. As a major contribution, this study provides a realistic, simple, and objective vision about the role that real options thinking can play within the context of complex IT infrastructure projects and also makes available to researchers a cast of new perspectives for study of this subject in Academy and to IT professionals a new schema that tends to encourage them in order to apply this approach in their projects.

Political and environmental chaos recently experienced in Haiti has damaged the economic sector and telecommunication infrastructure. Developmental data from Haiti show 3 major trends: inadequate social and economic development, insufficient benefits from the global economy, and poorly planned information technology infrastructure (ITI). The specific problem addressed in this study is a knowledge gap in the views of stakeholders within Haiti's national culture on how the country's ITI can be developed to better engage Haiti in 21st century global and digital economy. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the views of 48 expert participants regarding ITI development within Haiti's national culture to better engage Haiti with the 21st century global and digital economy. To satisfy the goal of this exploratory research a case study research design was used, and data were collected from multiple sources including in-depth interviews of 48 participants, observational field notes, and archival documentation. The analysis of the archival data, online surveys, and semi-structured interviews of expert informants revealed that nationwide broadband internet availability has been achieved, which has resulted in internet usage increasing from 2% in 2002 to 12% in 2009. The study participants noted the lack of reliable access to electricity limits the implementation of ITI in the nation. Legislation and financial investment are needed to improve ITI in Haiti. The academic significance and social change implications of the study include filling the knowledge gap of the status of ITI in Haiti, helping the national development of a modernized ITI well-connected to the global economy, and a better quality of life for Haiti's people.

本研究主要探討金融機構合併的資訊架構整併策略.藉由國內大型金融機構的合併個案來了解主併公司所採用的合併策略,過程與影響。 經過文獻討論與個案分析，有八點發現: 1. 以資訊整併策略角度來看，個案中的資訊整併模式是整體接收(Take Over)。 2. 以歷史角度來看，此次金融合併案的成功因素之一來自於併購集團累積多次的成功的合併經驗與總部的大力支持。 3. 從組織架構來看，被併購集團擁有功能完整的資訊組織架構與嚴謹的專案執行規劃，是本此合併成功的第二要素。 4. 在專案時間掌握上來看，遇到重大問題與障礙時，專案經理需要能克服困難完成任務，減少專案時間耽誤造成企業損失。 5. 從人力資源的角度來看，專案經理需要能在有效地預算掌控下，當地尋找支援人力，減少專案開銷。 6. 專案過程的溝通協調方面，資訊部門需要能與程式使用者之間良好的溝通協調，資訊單位可即刻反映使用者需求，達到快速反饋的目的。 7. 由綜效結果的分析來觀察，由併購銀行公布99年年報中所揭露之財務報表、信用評等與社會評價皆呈現正向成長。內部人員對併購銀行資訊技術處服務滿意度有高達八成滿意度維持併購前資訊服務水準。 8. 法律、政治因素影響與合併後併購銀行IT策略方面來看，新的個人資料保護法的通過，造成整體合併綜效、與合併後資訊策略的改變。 關鍵字: 資訊技術,資訊整併策略,企業併購 / The objective of this study is to understand the strategy, process and impacts of information technology (IT) infrastructure integration in a mergers and acquisitions project in a financial institution. Based on literature review and an in-depth case study there are eight findings: 1. In view of the information integration strategy, the applied model of IT integration was a “Take Over” strategy. 2. From a historical perspective, one of the success factors of the merger was enterprise’s accumulated experience of mergers and strong support from headquarters. 3. From an organizational point of view, the acquiring group has both a full-featured information organizational structure and rigorous plan of project execution, which was one of the important elements of the success of this merger. 4. Regarding the project management, the major challenge of the project manager is to overcome problems and obstacles to complete the tasks on time and on budget. 5. From the perspective of human resources, the effective utilization of local support are the key to budget control. 6. From the communication and coordination aspects of the project, rapid feedback and good communication between staffs in the information sector and business users could increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the project execution. 7. By analyzing the results of the merger, the credit ratings and social evaluation in the acquiring bank revealed a positive growth. Internal user survey of the post-merger has shown a satisfaction rate of 80% which remained the same comparing to the figure of pre-merger. 8. From a legal and political point of view, the new Personal Data Protection Law has become a major concern for overall information strategy making after the merger. Key Word: Information Technology Infrastructure, IT Integration Strategies, Mergers and Acquisitions

Cette recherche porte sur les facteurs d'influence de l'efficacité des opérations et du support TI. Plus précisément nous cherchons à connaître l'impact de la répartition des rôles et des tâches sur l'efficacité. En identifiant ces facteurs, il serait possible d'aider de futures recherches ou projets afin de modéliser une situation organisationnelle optimale. Plusieurs référentiels connus ont tenté de généraliser les meilleures pratiques dans ce domaine, mais ce sujet reste largement sous-exploité par le milieu académique. Nous avons donc tenté de percer le mystère des facteurs d'influence et de comprendre si la répartition de rôles et des tâches a un impact important sur l'efficacité. En second lieu, plusieurs autres variables ont été ajoutées à l'analyse telles que la maturité, la performance, les outils, les compétences et la situation professionnelle. C'est à l'aide des référentiels existants (ITIL, COBIT, MOF, etc.) que la revue de littérature a permis d'établir les variables entourant la question principale de cette recherche. Les facteurs d'influence retenus pour cette recherche ont alors été utilisés afin de construire un questionnaire permettant de faire la lumière sur les interrelations existantes dans le secteur professionnel montréalais. Une fois les données collectées, plusieurs méthodes d'analyse statistique ont été utilisées afin de trouver toutes relations existantes parmi ces variables. Les résultats sont quand même intéressants, même s'ils démontrent que la répartition des rôles et des tâches semble avoir une faible influence sur l'efficacité. On explique en partie cette situation à l'aide des variables concernant l'expertise requise afin d'exécuter les tâches spécifiques aux opérations et support TI. Le résultat final semble sensiblement le même, peu importe qui est responsable de ces tâches. Ce même constat s'applique autant aux tâches bien maîtrisées que celles moins connues par les professionnels du secteur. Par contre, d'autres liens seront découverts et discutés, tels que l'influence de l'utilisation d'outils sur la performance ainsi que celle de la maturité sur l'efficacité. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : rôles, tâches, opérations, support, TI, efficacité, performance, maturité, outils, ITIL, COBIT, MOF.

Esta monografia apresenta e descreve o trabalho de pesquisa realizado com vistas a obter conclusões e propor recomendações que pudessem ser úteis a profissionais que atuam no campo da Tecnologia da Informação (TI) e a pesquisadores acadêmicos, no que diz respeito: (a) à aplicação do enfoque das opções reais a projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI, de interesse para os primeiros citados, e (b) a novos rumos para a pesquisa sobre a aplicação deste enfoque, de interesse para os últimos. Para atender aos objetivos definidos, o estudo foi realizado em seis etapas: (1) revisão da literatura relativa aos temas envolvidos, (2) elaboração das definições operacionais e definição do modelo de pesquisa e das proposições, (3) escolha da metodologia e do método de pesquisa, (4) elaboração e apresentação dos casos estudados, (5) análise dos casos, verificação das proposições e elaboração de recomendações e (6) elaboração das conclusões finais. A revisão da literatura compreendeu um levantamento bibliográfico amplo sobre infraestrutura de TI, projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI, riscos e gestão de riscos, técnicas para justificação de projetos, opções reais e outros temas complementares. A elaboração das definições operacionais tomou como base o resultado do levantamento bibliográfico e os objetivos da pesquisa. A definição do modelo de pesquisa e o estabelecimento das proposições consideraram os objetivos da pesquisa e os gaps existentes na literatura acadêmica. A escolha da metodologia e do método de pesquisa se deu por meio de um processo de seleção que culminou com a opção pelo estudo de caso. Uma vez feita a opção pelo estudo de caso como método de pesquisa, foram selecionados três casos de projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI, os quais foram explorados e analisados sob a ótica dos temas centrais da pesquisa (com o suporte das definições operacionais assumidas) e com foco na questão e nos objetivos da pesquisa. A análise dos casos estudados contemplou a verificação das seis proposições estabelecidas, que se mostraram integralmente suportadas pelas conclusões obtidas. Por fim, a elaboração das recomendações e considerações finais complementou o estudo. Como contribuição maior, este estudo oferece uma visão realista, simples e objetiva acerca do papel que o enfoque das opções reais pode exercer no contexto dos projetos complexos de infraestrutura de TI e coloca à disposição dos pesquisadores um elenco de novas perspectivas para estudo do tema na Academia e ao alcance dos profissionais de TI um novo formato que tende a incentivar a aplicação deste enfoque aos seus projetos. / This report presents and depicts the research carried out in order to find out recommendations that may possibly assist Information Technology (IT) professionals and academic researchers with respect to: (a) the effective use of real options thinking in complex IT infrastructure projects, useful for the formers, and (b) new insights related to academic research focused on how to apply real options thinking, useful for the latter. In order to satisfy the proposed objectives, the research comprised six steps: (1) review the academic literature on the issues involved, (2) develop operational definitions and define the research model and propositions, (3) choose the methodology and the research method, (4) organize and describe the case studies, (5) analyze the cases, verify proposals and make recommendations, and (6) prepare final conclusions. The literature review comprised an extensive bibliography research on IT infrastructure, complex IT infrastructure projects, risks and risk management, project justification techniques, real options and other complementary themes. The results of the literature review and the research objectives were took into account to prepare the operational definitions. To build the research model and set up the propositions, the research objectives were took into account again, as also the existing gaps in the academic literature. The choice of both the methodology and the research method was made through a process that culminated in the choice of the case study method. Once the choice of case study as a research method were made, three cases involving complex IT infrastructure projects were selected and thereafter explored and analyzed under the perspective of the central themes of the research (with support of the assumed operational definitions) and with focus on both the research question and the research objectives. The analysis of the cases comprised the verification of the six propositions stated, which showed themselves to be fully supported by the conclusions drawn. At last, the recommendations and closing remarks were written down and added to the study. As a major contribution, this study provides a realistic, simple, and objective vision about the role that real options thinking can play within the context of complex IT infrastructure projects and also makes available to researchers a cast of new perspectives for study of this subject in Academy and to IT professionals a new schema that tends to encourage them in order to apply this approach in their projects.

Magister Bibliothecologiae - MBibl / Communities of practice have been described as supportive environments where knowledge creation, knowledge sharing, learning and problem resolution takes place (Hildreth and Kimble, 2002; Wenger, 1998a; Zhang and Watts, 2008). The literature points to the use of community of practice in organisations to leverage knowledge held by individuals for competitive advantage. Wenger (1998b) developed the Practice and Identity’ framework as a measure of whether a group could be called a community of practice. The ‘Developing information technology capacity in higher education’ (DITCHE) project rolled out the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) service management programme as part of the brief to provide interventions beneficial to South African higher education institutions. Staff from the information technology departments attended the training over the period 2007 to 2009. This study examined the actions and outputs of the group which attended the ITIL service management training against the Wengerian ‘Practice and Identity’ framework to determine whether this group could be considered a community of practice. Research questions arising from the stated problem are: • Do the DITCHE ITIL groups meet the definition of community of practice as defined by Wenger’s ‘Practice and Identity’ framework? • What factors are required for the formation and sustaining of a community of practice? • What value is to be found in successful DITCHE ITIL communities of practice? The research design consisted of phases which included a survey of the literature to determine the most recent theories on this subject matter and definitions of key concepts. The concept of communities of practice is not singular. Cox (2001) pointed to four works which he considered seminal to the discussion about the concept of community of practice. He suggested that these be used as markers in the discussion on the conceptualization of community of practice. Each of these works could be used as frameworks for determining the existence of communities of practice as he noted the lack of overlap of elements in the different frameworks. The physical separation of participants of the study across South Africa necessitating the use of information and communication technologies made the Wenger ‘Practice and Identity’ framework the most suitable choice against which to frame the study as the elements of collocation and situated learning are not absolute requirements. Data were collected from participants of this study using questionnaires and interviews and the output was viewed against the components of the Wengerian framework viz. mutual engagement, shared repertoire and joint enterprise. The study found that while evidence existed for a match to these elements, it was insufficient to deem the DITCHE ITIL group a community of practice in the discourse of the 1998 framework. This group meets the description of an online community of practice where infrequent but intense discourse takes place when a problem needs to be resolved. Factors contributing to the arrival of this conclusion were identified. Motivations and barriers to the formation of communities of practice were identified. Further recommendations for continued community building such as further active leadership and the use of social networking tools are included. The study concluded that the potential existed for South African public higher education institutions to derive benefit from communities of practice and the DITCHE programme.

This master's thesis presents analysis, design and implementation of an information system for supporting studying and practicing of selected methods described by Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) with focus on service design and service operation. In the form of a web application the thesis presents an uncommon approach to e-learning system development by extending the standard lecture part by game elements and interactive scenarios. Developed system allows creators to define services and tasks, such as incidents and problems caused by their operation, and evaluate reactions of responsible users. The application can be used by IT administrators or Service Desk managers to train new IT engineers or Service Desk operators.

Main focus of this thesis is creating workaround for ITIL processes in service desk systems. As a objective with highest priority was to choose service desk systems, then create interface which can make possible communication between service boards and selected processes. I described also in generally meaning ITIL library, common service desk functions and important ITIL processes. Management of incidents, problems, changes and configurations is based on a set of processes, which are able to manipulate with interface. Web services are main tool of implemented API for working with these processes. In conclusion are also presented several scenarios to demonstrate communication between clients and service across the board created interface.