Successful modern businesses must compete in a faster-paced environment than ever before.  The old tools just don’t get the job done, so businesses have gone from the desktop PC to the cloud, and now to mobile technology.  However, each change adds another level of complexity and frustration, often making problems worse not better.

Why?  Because changes were not designed to fit together, let alone integrate into your specific business.  It is like owning a small incomplete set of metric wrenches, a partial set of standard long sockets, a torx driver or two, some rusted needle-nose pliers, and a sledgehammer.  Nothing to do a complete job anywhere, but you do have a tool kit!

Businesses have acquired information assets and applications in much the same way. Businesses IT problems will remain until we learn to design digital systems as the business not in the business.  To work, the entire digital environment must be designed from the top down.

Key business strategy and capabilities must drive all layers beneath – data layer, information layer, transmission layer, application layer, and hardware layer. We cannot afford simply to buy the newest cool device!

This PDF consists of two SMB Information Communication Ecosystem  models for small business information architectures.  One is a branch/franchise type of business while the other is a stand-alone, independent type of business. The model demonstrates how to design an affordable small business information and communication architecture across all three digital environments: ‘on the ground’, ‘in the cloud’, and ‘on the go’.

This model is in the earliest phases of conceptualization and is sure to develop.  Feel free to forward comments or suggestions.