Emphasizing the importance of combining technology and methodology, the authors define a realistic view of open information deployment in new target architecture. They examine open systems from a strategic, architecture-level perspective, focusing on the integration of networking, data management, business logic, user interface, and services; and they identify the challenges inherent in transforming to an open system, including assessing the IT staff. Included is a case study of a successful transition using OPENframework. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.