Question 1

i. IT infrastructure is a set of physical devices and the various software that are required to
support the operation of the entire enterprise. It provides the necessary technology platform
includes hardware, software, data storage and management, and networks for the IT
Architecture. While, IS Architecture helps an organization to achieve or support its business
goals or functions.

ii. IT infrastructure shares technology resources that provide the platform for the firm’s specific
information system applications. It also provides the foundation for serving customers, working
with vendors, and managing internal firm business processes.

Question 2

First level: Public IT Infrastructure. All firms are dependent on public infrastructure, which includes the
Internet, the public switched telephone network, industry-operated networks, and other IT support
facilities such as cable systems and cellular networks.

Second level: Enterprise-wide infrastructure. This includes services such as e-mail, a central corporate
Web site, corporate-wide intranets, and an increasing array of enterprise-wide software applications.

Third level: Business unit infrastructure. Business units also have their own infrastructure that is
uniquely suited to their line of business such as specialized production software and systems, customer
and vendor systems, and local order entry and other transaction systems.

Question 3

1) Electronic Accounting Machine Era (1930—1950): Specialized machines sorting computer cards,
accumulating totals, printing reports.
2) Mainframe and Minicomputer Era (1959 to present): 1958 IBM first mainframes introduced,
eventually used to support thousands of online remote terminals. 1965 less expensive DEC
minicomputers introduced, allowing decentralized computing.
3) Personal Computer Era (1981 to Present): In 1981 Introduction of IBM PC. Rapid growth in 80s,
90s resulted in growth of personal software.
4) Client/Server Era (1983 to present): Desktop clients networked to servers, with processing work
split between clients and servers. Network may be two-tiered or multitier (N-tiered). Various
types of servers (network, application, Web). In a multitier client/server network, client requests
for service are handled by different levels of servers.
5) Enterprise Internet Computing Era (1992 to 1999): move toward integrating disparate networks,
applications using Internet standards and enterprise applications.
6) Cloud computing era (2000 to present): a model of computing where firms and individuals
obtain computing power and software applications over the Internet, rather than purchasing
their won hardware and software.