Right delivery channel strategy that includes HW/Devices, SW, Architecture, and Technology can help to reduce enterprise IT cost.

Software license fees are going up every year, managing assets is also getting expensive. Most enterprises are not looking into their cost of delivery channel. I would like to focus here on delivery channel. For large enterprises, this is a substantial cost and need attention. Enterprises need to have a right client strategy to optimize and control cost. Client is a part of the delivery channel of an Enterprise Architecture. It encompasses, the Software, the Hardware and the delivery devices like desktop to notepad, PDAs, smart phone, near field communication devices, and many other hand held devices that are used to support end users day to day work. Creating enterprise client strategy needs major work and it is time consuming, as we are having so many options. We have so many software, and hardware to be selected from substantially large array of products and also from multiple vendors like Google, Microsoft, IBM Lotus, and open source products just a name a few. We need to create a client strategy, as well as road map that will support immediate need of the enterprise, as well as be able to accommodate future need. Enterprises need to serve multiple channels/users. Policy and governance model for each channel are different. Today’s enterprises typically support Business to Business, Business to Customers, Business to Employees, and Business to Agents channels. Selection of right platform with right software need to be designed based on use case definition for each channel along with the other modules that an EA design needs. Finding out the pattern and common functions for each LOB is very critical. Implementing collaboration functionality among and within the channels is becoming challenging, as one has to select right products set. Carefully architecting and developing right strategy will help to keep the cost down (License fees, TCO, asset management, etc.). I see this as a major architecture endeavor for any organization. Initial investment can help cost savings in down the road. Implementation of control and policy may be a nightmare. Right strategy, right policy will definitely reduce cost, will increase productivity, and boost innovation. Now the question is how to determine what amount of budget need to be allocated for this initiative?