Managing Systems Migrations and Upgrades: Demystifying the Technology Puzzle

Managing Systems Migrations and Upgrades is the perfect book for technology managers who want a rational guide to evaluating the business aspects of various possible technical solutions. Enterprises today are in the middle of the R&D race for technology leadership, with providers who increasingly need to create markets for new technologies while shortening development, implementation, and life cycles. The cost for the current tempo of technology life cycles is endless change-management controls, organizational chaos, production use of high-risk beta products, and greater potential for failure of existing systems during migration. Burkey and Breakfield help you answer questions such as, Is the only solution open to me spending more that the industry average in order to succeed? and What are the warning signs that tell me to pass on a particular product offering? as well as How can my organization avoid the 'technical death marches' typical of the industry? This book will take the confusion out of when to make shifts in your systems and help you evaluate the value proposition of these technology changes.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Outside Looking In; Marketplace Pulse; Selling Cycle; Development Cycle; The Migration Process; Technology Shortfall Impact; Support Issues; Move-Forward Model; Summary Findings; Appendices: Glossary; References; Attributions

About the Author :
Charles V. Breakfield, Nortel Networks Engineering Solutions Manager, specializes in designing complex contact centers. He is a certified Microsoft Certified System Engineer, Banyan Network Engineer, and Netware Systems Administrator. His experience with solutions of business issues through technology application has made him a prime resource for complex integrations solutions. Roxanne E. Burkey, Nortel Networks Senior Systems Engineer, has provided in-depth client analysis and design support for information systems based on business requirements for over 20 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems. Burkey is the author of several articles on data handling and data integration with current technology, and has led many workshops with a focus on relating business, technology, and human factor issues during technology migration.

Review :
"This is the 'holy grail' of system upgrade and migration management books. It shows you how to manage system upgrades, maintenance and administration--including system integrity."—John Vacca, information technology consultant and author of High-Speed Cisco Networks: Planning, Design ,and Implementation "The authors are providing a framework for analysis, critical evaluation and a practical approach to selecting technology for your enterprise. The 'What should I buy?' will take care of itself, once you understand the 'How should I buy it?'"—Doric Earle, Senior Contact Center Architect and Senior Manager of Professional Services for Nortel Networks, Enterprise Portal Solutions. "The value proposition this book offers readers is not looking at technology for technology's sake, but looking at technology 'to solve problems that do not yet exist.'"—Gerry Dupuis, Director, Consulting Practice, SOFTEL Communications, Inc. "Everybody from the CIO responsible for corporate IT direction to the lone programmer developing code to support this direction should read this book to understand how their work affects their clients."—Peter Bielawski, Principal Engineer, Mitretek Systems