This is our second bi-monthly newsletter.

BTW: I am in New Orleans this week, so it you don't get a response right away, that’s probably because I am partying!

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In most IT projects it is necessary for the workers to come together, even more so an architecture project!

In most successful cases, the core architecture project team "lived" in a project room.

The following article describes one such project or war room.

Core staffing for this project ranged from 6 to 9 people.

"A gathering place for a group of people to develop or refine a solution to a significant problem in a short time frame."

• Room size 50 sq ft per person (300 sq feet for example project)
• Minimum windows (needed the wall space)
• Multiple phone connections
• Network connections for the core staff plus 50% (12 in example project case)
• Two sets of computer desks (work areas), two sets of tables (conferencing, and layout)
• Wall space for posting charts, project plans, projection on the wall.
• Four flip chart tripods (two portable for meetings) and associated paper (with grids)
• Lockable cabinet for software, critical and confidential information.
• Book shelves (4 or 5 feet tall) for research and background material.
• The four footers are best as then you can use the wall space above them easily.
• One wall mounted white board
• Lights that can be dimmed (for presentations)
• Ergo metric chairs for the core staff.

• Two telephones (one with conference call capability)
• One portable, printing white board
• LCD projector for presentations
• Desktop Computers (network capable) for core team (with CD's)
• Laptop Computer (can replace one of the desktops)
• Monitors (19 inch minimum)
• High-speed b/w printer
• Color printer
• B/W scanner

• Operating system that can share resources with the server
• Project Management *
• Web authoring *
• Word Processing
• Spreadsheet
• Presentation
• Browser (MS and Netscape)
• Data Base *

• Connection to the Internet
• Connection to Intranet
• Connection to e-mail system
• Connection to production server providing local print and project area space with file sharing
• Secure logon and email ID for staff (read /write with limited delete ability)
• Common project email ID
• Intranet authoring authorities.

• Coffee Pot
• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• Portable items from above list to have carrying cases
• Cart or dolly for transporting items

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The Commonwealth of Kentucky is striving for an IT architecture, supported by technology standards, that will better serve its citizens. To achieve this vision, the architecture and standards must allow for maximum reach, flexibility and maneuverability. Therefore, any authorized person can access any IT resource, any time and anywhere to achieve maximum reach. Additionally, all information objects (information, processes and services) will be shared to achieve full flexibility within this environment. Finally, as the architecture evolves, all applications will be built to promote maximum maneuverability (e.g. modularity, openness).

The architecture appears to be somewhat dated. The latest date on the site was on the home page and was July 1, 1997. Content appears to be appropriate for today however.

Good discussion of emerging technologies in everyday English!

If you have the need for a discussion of any of these subjects this is an excellent source.

This file is quite large (more than 2 megabytes) so if you are working with a slow modem, be aware that it will take a long download.

From the site:

The Software Technology Review (STR) is a directed guide containing the latest information on approximately 63 software technologies. It is of interest to anyone building or maintaining systems.

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This one of a continuing series of spotlights about vendors to the EA community, it is not meant as an endorsement, simply information.

If you know of a vendor that provides service to the EA community, send me a brief write-up.

We will run one spotlight per issue on a first come, first published basis.

There are no compensations associated with this spotlight!

From the Site:

The M A Cook Corporation specializes in delivering Knowledge Transfer Services in the area of Enterprise Information Architecture and Data Standards.

Why Information Architecture?

As in the construction industry, an architectural framework is necessary to ensure quality structures, especially complex ones. Information Architecture has been the missing link necessary to redesign the complicated, spaghetti morass of systems in most large organizations. Like the high level architectural drawing for a complex structure, the
information architecture becomes a framework that both business and IT use to steadily make changes to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of information technology in your organization.

The five page site is primarily a web presence for Melissa Cook's company. As you may be aware, Ms Cook is the author of "Building Enterprise Information Architectures".

The site contains little if any content and is very sales oriented.

None provided

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Would you like to get "more" from this newsletter and the Website?

We need more members for our community! Know anyone that is interested in the Enterprise or Technical Architecture area? Send their names to me, I will invite them to become members of the community. Or simply route one of the newsletters to them and have them request a subscription!

So who could benefit from membership? Any one that has a interest in better performing their job function! If you look at the tools on the website, you will find that there are useful tools for anyone holding meetings (don't we all) or having to do analysis (don't we all) or managing a technical staff(?). Sign up or request an invitation be sent by a simple email to dmcafee@ewita.com.

My presentation from the DCI Conference in New Orleans is on the EWITA site, enjoy it, comments welcome!

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