Dear Reader,

Welcome to the premier issue of Architecture & Governance Magazine. The magazine you hold in your hands is dedicated to the new realm of IT: the smart, rational and cost-efficient use of information technology resources to achieve a company's business objectives.

Such a thought was almost foreign a decade ago when cost was no object and CIOs presided over stand-alone kingdoms where accountability was unnecessary. Five years ago, IT was about servicing the dot-com boom, running data centers and building custom applications.

But the last few years have not been kind to IT. The CFO is peering over the wall to monitor costs and opting to outsource where possible. Old-school CIOs are routinely being shown the door. Meanwhile, their IT departments are groping for survival and, dare we say it, relevance.

Architecture & Governance is a rope out of the morass. While IT still has to pull itself out of the hole, this magazine will give you traction. Each issue will identify tools and best practices, designed to help you partner with the business, or corporate, side of the house.

We look forward to your participation in future issues of A&G. You can add your own perspective to current archives at www.ArchitectureAndGovernance.com. Or drop us a line and tell us what you think. We want your feedback.

Warmest Regards,
George Paras
Editor, Architecture & Governance magazine