my computer keeps freezing

The database tools you choose to use are of utmost importance. Make smart decisions, not “affordable” ones as you put it. That translates into cheap and you get what you pay for…especially when dealing with technology. If you are truly interested in going with data center automation then slow down and take your time. If your boss doesn’t like that explain to him that hasty actions will cost both he and the company more in the long run.

Perhaps your call for more research and empirical evidence would allow those circumstances to become more defined so as to avoid an expensive waste of time, money and corporate effort.

A few years ago I worked on a project which was establishing a new business venture in the Far East. ERP was the first computer system to be specified on the project, and from that all processes and systems were put in place. Understanding the ERP “internal logic” was not important – only understanding the functions it would perform, and how the data was supplied to and from that logic. The data flow between the systems was well engineered and understood from the outset.

In a similar vein, another project centred on a new joint venture company between two large European chemical companies. By utilising one of the partnersÂ’ ERP systems the roll out and integration of the new business was extremely quick. Understanding and controlling the data flow here was also the key to successfully linking both corporate ERP systems.

A contrasting experience which I watched from a safe distance was a huge implementation where the business edicts surrounding the project were simplistic and showed a glaring disconnect between business and IT: “Implement ERP”, “reduce the number of legacy systems”, “rationalise applications”, and “consolidate hardware”. ERP was eventually installed after enforcing change around the globe, but the initial vision was far from realised. Millions of pounds were over-spent in the drive to implement ERP, but ultimately that wasn’t ERPs fault. Trying to force too much change onto a complex organisation because of what Denis Howlett calls “political necessity or ‘me too’ ERP envy” is doomed to failure.

I believe you are right to say “that adding a wildly elaborate and complicated module can significantly decrease system complexity, if it replaces a number of older modules whose interactions required babysitting.”

Dataflows are important, and it is the understanding, documenting, and engineering of them which is key to managing complexity. We should look towards other industries for a lead here. After all, how could we build other complex things like skyscrapers or bridges without blueprints or engineering diagrams.

I would invite you to read “IT exists for one reason” for more about this concept.

We have begun the process to some degree implementing things like run book automation into our network which has helped us solve problems much quicker than before saving us time and money. Some are against IT Automation but I can attest that it is the way of the future and we should all be thankful for it.