组织应对外部压力的能力取决于其信息系统基础设施。信息系统分为两类:集中式“关键任务”系统（如计费）和分布式本地系统（使用户能够提取集中保存的“公司”数据进行分析）。信息系统部的职责是提供综合系统基础设施，即硬件、软件、通信和数据管理，以便在正确的时间在正确的地点提供正确的信息。现代信息系统基础设施的关键组成部分是客户服务管理、性能监控和资产管理； 这些与外部压力相对应。集成范围从应用程序的实时链接到数据的批量更新。一个完善的集成系统，以及根据业务案例确定需求而添加的特定系统，将为“不断发展的集成”提供最合适的工具。在过去五年中，有三种技术趋势使公司能够实施这样的综合战略:高速数字通信服务的可用性；分布式处理和pc/工作站的能力；以及允许组织定义数据库接口和应用程序之间接口的标准。目前加强监管的趋势将持续到本十年。 在英国埃塞克斯水务公司，集成信息系统的重点将放在客户、绩效和资产管理上。

An organization's ability to respond to external pressures is conditioned by its information system infrastructure. There are two categories of information systems: centralized "mission critical" systems, such as billing, and distributed local systems that enable users to extract the centrally held "corporate" data for analysis. The role of the information systems department is to provide the integrated systems infrastructure, i.e., hardware, software, communications, and data management to provide the right information at the right place at the right time. Key components of a modern information systems infrastructure are customer service management, performance monitoring, and asset management; these correspond with external pressures. Integration ranges from real-time linking of applications to batch update of data. A sound integrated system, with particular systems added as the business case determines the needs, will provide the most appropriate vehicle for "evolving integration". Over the past five years three technology trends have enabled companies to implement such integrated strategies: availability of high-speed digital communication services; distributed processing and the capabilities of pc/work stations; and standards that allow organizations to define interfaces to databases and between applications. The current trends of increased regulation will continue through this decade. At Essex Water, United Kingdom, emphasis on integrated information systems will focus on customer, performance, and asset management.