Common Systems

A concept that all users in an enterprise should use the same computer systems. This helps promote a common language, and also promotes collaboration.

Many organizations, both large and small, have standards in computer systems. Often these standards are so stringent, they include a common set of machine models and images which include an approved set of software and users are not permitted to load any other software.

While this may be extreme, it is important that some level of common systems be instilled. Certainly on a database management level, it makes sense that a company build an expertise in a single Database - Oracle or MS SQL as an example. Any software worthy of implementation in an enterprise environment will support either DBMS. To license both, and understand the nuance of both, makes for an ineffective utilization of highly paid resources.

Even in applications, some degree of common systems is important. Take for example Statistical Process Control – to some companies the selection of SPC software is a plant decision, and there may be 10 or 20 different packages in use. While this may allow some plant autonomy and lets plants select what is ostensibly best for them, it also means that the data may be suspect. If package A is a simple package that uses standard mathematical models, and package B recognizes non-normal models and uses Pearson Equations, and package C recognizes non-normal distributions and uses Johnson equations, how can one compare cpk? The same data can produce dramatically different numbers depending upon the normality and the equations employed.