a) Describe the main elements of the Software Control & Distribution function.
(6 Marks)
b) What benefits can be derived as a result of adopting formal ITIL Conformant SC&D? (7 Marks)
c) What are the likely costs and problems in an organization that does not have formal ITIL Conformant SC&D? (7 Marks)
Question 1 - Marking Guidelines
a) Storage of authorised software in the DSL. The software is either in-house or bought-in. It is a logical library, perhaps in more then one physical location and is linked to the CMDB. There are strict control procedures for software added to or removed form DSL.
Release Build. Software is built form items in the DSL, selected by reference to the CMDB, for use in the live environment.
Distribution. Releases are distributed form test build to the test environment, and form live build to the live environment.
Implementation. Software is brought into use at target locations.
Auditing. Software in physical use is regularly checked against the DSL, and unauthorized software is removed or is brought under SC&D control.
1 mark for each of the above, plus one floating mark.
b) There is improved quality and the chances of error are minimized because all releases are built properly and there is much less chance of using an incorrect version.
There is proper control and safeguarding of all software assets.
It is easier to absorb higher rates of change to software on live systems.
There is better management (from a single point in the organization) over software at remote sites.
Consistent software is in use, leading to potential savings in support costs.
It is easier to detect incorrect versions of software and less easy to introduce malicious and/or illegal software.
There are productivity improvements; less time is spent detecting and overcoming problems caused by incorrect, illegal or incompatible software.
1 mark for each of the above.
- In many cases, the costs are the reverse of the benefits above; they include:-
Organizations can end up paying for software no longer in use.
Possible legal action (FAST) could follow as a result of using unlicensed software.
Support costs are higher if incompatible software is in use.
The cost of correcting problems with software, for example incorrect versions, is higher than getting it right first time.
Problems include:
Different teams of software developers and maintainers may use their own libraries and versions.
Documentation could be out of step with the software actually in use.
Viruses can damage critical data.
upto 1 mark for each of the above.
It may be impossible to identify original source code when amendments are required
There may be a total lack of control and hence it could almost be impossible to guarantee service levels.
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