IT landscape: definition, visualization & more

The most important thing in brief:

• Definition: An IT landscape comprises all IT components of a company — including systems, networks, applications, interfaces and security structures — and forms the technical foundation of all digital business processes.
• Benefit: The structured, ideally automated recording and graphical presentation of the IT landscape saves time, minimizes errors and creates a well-founded basis for IT optimization and resource planning.
• Transparency & safety: Current IT landscape documentation makes dependencies visible, strengthens security levels, simplifies audits and meets legal requirements — particularly for KRITIS operators and companies with high compliance requirements.

The IT landscape describes the entirety of all IT systems, applications, infrastructures and their connections within a company. It forms the technical backbone for digital processes, communication and data processing.

By definition, the IT landscape therefore includes not only servers, networks or software applications, but also interfaces, cloud services and security mechanisms.

More IT landscapes

• Heterogeneous IT landscape: A heterogeneous IT landscape consists of a variety of different systems, platforms, applications and technologies, some of which are not compatible with each other. Such landscapes are often the result of historically developed structures, takeovers or decentralized IT decisions.

• Homogeneous IT landscape: In contrast, a homogeneous IT landscape consists of uniform, coordinated IT systems that are managed centrally. It is usually easier to maintain and more secure, but involves the risk of vendor lock-in.

• Cloud-based IT landscape: This is an infrastructure in which IT resources such as storage, computing power and applications are primarily obtained from the cloud. It offers high scalability and flexibility, but requires special attention to data protection and connectivity concepts.
• Hybrid IT landscape: This combines local IT infrastructures with cloud services. Companies benefit from local systems control and cloud scalability. The challenge is to seamlessly integrate and secure both worlds.

Why visualize your IT landscape?

Depending on the type, detailed documentation of the IT landscape is essential and helps companies to minimize risks, comply with compliance requirements and plan for the future.

Nowadays, heterogeneous IT landscapes and hybrid IT landscapes are the rule. Different operating systems, various applications locally and in the cloud, and partly outdated components make it difficult to keep track of things. This is exactly where it makes sense to represent the IT landscape graphically: The visualization makes complex dependencies visible, uncovers weak points and supports IT optimization decisions.

Benefits of documenting your IT landscape:

• Better understanding of internal structures
• More efficient troubleshooting
• Basis for IT security strategies
• Support with audits and compliance checks
• Facilitating system transitions and migrations

IT security and compliance: Why documentation is mandatory

In addition to organizational benefits, presenting your IT landscape is also essential from a legal and security perspective. GDPR, Basic IT protection (BSI) and industry-specific standards, such as for KRITIS operators, require transparent IT documentation.

A clearly documented IT landscape:

• makes it easier to prove safety measures
• supports risk analysis
• improves emergency management
• serves as a basis for emergency plans

How it works: Graphically represent and visualize the IT landscape

Visualizing your IT landscape is not a one-off project, but a continuous process. There are various ways to do this: manually using spreadsheets such as Excel, using separate network and inventory tools, or through automated software solutions such as Docusnap.

1. Automatically record IT infrastructure

With Docusnap, you can automate your entire IT infrastructure record and inventory. The software recognizes all relevant components such as servers, clients, user accounts, network devices and software installations.

2. Map systems and dependencies

The collected data is stored in various Reports and plans clearly presented. The automatically generated network plans, application diagrams and user rights evaluations are particularly helpful here.

3. Visualization & export

Docusnap enables a graphical presentation the IT landscape in various formats (PDF, Visio, HTML). In this way, external stakeholders, such as auditors or management, can also understand the structures.

4. Regular update & reporting

As IT landscapes are constantly evolving, continuous updating is important. With Docusnap, changes can be automatically identified and documented. This saves time and ensures that your documentation is up to date.

Representing the IT landscape with system and strategy

The systematic presentation of your IT landscape is more than just an organizational obligation. It is a strategic tool for optimizing your entire IT. Especially at a time when digitization, security and efficiency must go hand in hand, the use of professional software is worthwhile.

FAQ: Common questions about the IT landscape

1. What does an IT landscape include?

‍An IT landscape includes all IT components of a company: servers, clients, networks, applications, databases, cloud services, interfaces, and security and management systems.

2. How can you represent an IT landscape?

‍The presentation can be done manually (e.g. using Excel), partially automated (e.g. using network tools) or fully automated using software solutions such as Docusnap. The latter also enables graphical representations and regular updates.

3. Why is up-to-date IT landscape documentation important?

‍‍It helps identify security gaps, makes troubleshooting easier, supports audits and ensures compliance with legal requirements.

4. What are the challenges with heterogeneous IT landscapes?

‍Different systems and technologies make overview, maintenance and integration difficult. Well-thought-out documentation and visualization helps to overcome these challenges.

5. What are the benefits of Docusnap when it comes to IT documentation?

‍Docusnap automates the recording, visualization and maintenance of the IT landscape, saves time, increases transparency and ensures consistent, auditable documents.