Open systems for better business

Written from an objective viewpoint, this book presents case studies of the open-systems experiences of several significant, well-known organizations. The book presents a framework for understanding vendor strategies and tactics. In addition, the open systems strategies of several major technology vendors are described in detail, along with a description of the vendor's major products. Can open systems benefit your organization? Should the move to open systems be a business strategy, a technology strategy, or both? What implementation approaches to open systems are most successful? Find the answers to these questions and more in Open Systems for Better Business: Something Ventured, Something Gained. The author not only provides an overview of open systems from a business perspective but also dispels myths prevalent in business today and offers practical suggestions on how to get started - without getting lost in technology. Written with the needs of both executives and information systems professionals in mind, Open Systems sheds light on the open systems marketplace and reviews business strategies in straightforward, vendor-neutral terms. In addition, it presents candid accounts of the open systems experiences of several well-known companies - Home Depot, Honeywell, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Merck. The book also includes an introduction to the characteristics of an open computing environment and "degrees of openness"; reasons for implementing or avoiding open systems and the potential impact on the organization as a whole; details about how open systems can help drive down the costs of information systems; discussion of information protection issues and the unique problems associated with securing an open environment; and extensive reference material, including a glossary of technical terms, definitions of standards and technologies, and a list of standards organizations with their mission statements and contact information.