Integration

Many business today have heterogeneous environments with Windows, Unix and Linux based services. In some cases businesses have active strategies to maximize the use of Linux in the server room. With the advent of Linux services such as Novell's Open Enterprise Servers, business have the option of using integrated directory and operating system services without using Microsoft Active Directory and Windows Servers. In most of these scenarios some investment in an Integration Design is required to ensure:

• that the different platforms work well together
• that the user-experience is not compromised by poor integration
• that the various systems and their interfaces are secure, reliable, and have comprehensive management, administration, security, backup and recovery plans

Many IT professionals tend to focus their efforts on one platform only, and there is a general shortage of expertise in this area. By using the skills of experienced infrastructure integration architects, businesses are best able to protect their investment and realise their strategic goals.