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What does an IT Infrastructure Manager do?

Carol Francois
Carol Francois

An IT infrastructure manager is responsible for the hardware, operating systems, and tools used to organize large computer installations. This position is also known as an information technology architect or technical systems manager. All three titles refer to the connectivity and hardware responsibilities that are the focus of this position.

The information technology (IT) infrastructure manager is responsible for coordinating system management, building in redundancy and room for growth, and emergency planning. This position typically reports to the director of information technology or a similar role within the organization. Software and application managers are equivalent in rank, but often rely upon the expertise of the IT infrastructure manager when planning new projects.

Teamworking plays a significant role in IT infrastructure management.
Teamworking plays a significant role in IT infrastructure management.

System management coordination occupies the vast majority of the manager's time. In most organizations, the system operations staff report directly to this position. The systems operators are responsible for maintaining all the different programs and routines necessary to keep the system up and running.

In order to become an IT infrastructure manager, you must have completed post-secondary education in computer science, computer system management, or information technology. Many employers also expect candidates to have completed additional training in operating systems, hardware structure, and system infrastructure. People who enjoy working with technology, like a challenging work environment, and can work in a continuously changing industry report the greatest satisfaction. Teamwork is essential in this role, as multiple people are required to achieve the initial set up and maintenance of this type of infrastructure. A proper system design, complete with room for expansion, back-ups, and redundancy is the primary responsibility of this job.

Many employers expect their IT infrastructure manager to have completed training in operating systems, hardware structure, and system infrastructure.
Many employers expect their IT infrastructure manager to have completed training in operating systems, hardware structure, and system infrastructure.

A career as an IT infrastructure manager requires dedication to continuing education. Both the hardware and software are constantly changing in this field, and it is expected to continue to change into the foreseeable future. This career is forecast to have an increased rate of growth in the next five to ten years. In order to advance your career, candidates must obtain further education through certification in a specific technology or graduate-level training.

The primary job of an IT infrastructure manager is to setup and maintain a company's computer network.
The primary job of an IT infrastructure manager is to setup and maintain a company's computer network.

Emergency planning includes back-up and restoration systems, remote system management, specially designed server rooms, and other structural settings. This part of the job requires a significant investment of time and then a minimal level of maintenance on an annual basis. Take the time to test this system thoroughly to ensure it will work if required.

Discussion Comments

barryherne

Any IT infrastructure manager needs a reliable monitoring software like Anturis for the IT system of the company. It does not matter how experienced the admin is. It is hard to follow everything that is happening in the company system and only smart tools can assist.

EchoVision

Many smaller businesses and organizations contract this kind of work to an external firm that specializes in IT security and infrastructure management and provides services in those fields to many business clients at a time. The clients sign contracts for the kinds of services they need, whether they're looking to have a technician on-site on a regular basis or are comfortable having most of the work be done remotely.

If you're looking to break into the IT career path, you can get a lot of varied experience quickly if you're able to find a job with one of these IT firms. I'm currently an intern at one and am being trained in the ways of systems administration and help desk management.

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    • Teamworking plays a significant role in IT infrastructure management.
      By: auremar
      Teamworking plays a significant role in IT infrastructure management.
    • Many employers expect their IT infrastructure manager to have completed training in operating systems, hardware structure, and system infrastructure.
      By: makspogonii
      Many employers expect their IT infrastructure manager to have completed training in operating systems, hardware structure, and system infrastructure.
    • The primary job of an IT infrastructure manager is to setup and maintain a company's computer network.
      By: 06photo
      The primary job of an IT infrastructure manager is to setup and maintain a company's computer network.