Final answer:
The IT department should use technology assessment tools and compatibility analysis to merge infrastructures post-merger. Virtualization strategies could accommodate legacy systems, while considering organizational change and market dynamics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The IT department at a company that has recently undergone a merger should consider utilizing a combination of technology assessment tools, compatibility analysis and integrated IT management solutions to evaluate the best way to move forward with merging the infrastructures. These tools can assist in analyzing the existing hardware and software, determining the compatibility with new technologies, and planning for integrations and upgrades that meet the diverse system specifications and OS requirements from both Company A and Company B. Furthermore, attention should be paid to ensure a seamless transition which may involve migration strategies for various line-of-business applications, and potentially using virtualization to accommodate diverse legacy systems.
In undertaking this transition, it is essential to understand the organizational impacts noted in business studies, such as changes in organizational culture and potential employee stresses. Additionally, considerations of the competitive landscape in the IT sector are relevant, taking into account the historical context of proprietary vs. open systems and the implications of such a merger on the market dynamics.