The architect's journey starts with the selection of operating systems. This step, although sometimes neglected, specifies the foundation for the entire solution. As we discussed in Chapter 1, Solution Decision Framework, there are two ways to approach the challenge: via product development or via project development.

When an organization develops a product for future distribution to customers, it is mandatory to understand what platform the customers are going to use, whether they would be using personal computers or tablets, whether they would prefer Windows or Linux, or whether the solution should be based in the cloud or on the corporate network. Microsoft offers a variety of approaches covering the entire spectrum of software development, from mobile applications with data stored in the cloud to systems serving the needs of corporations that support several data centers.

As we said earlier, we would be focusing on project development. Project constraints are heavily...