This assessment addresses the following course outcomes:
• Assess common hardware and software issues by logically applying fundamental IT tools and methods
• Determine basic hardware and software options that meet general technology needs for organizations
• Illustrate appropriate network and multi-user operating system methods that support key business objectives
• Identify information security procedures that reflect best practices for managing access and reducing risk to digital information stores
Scenario: You have been hired as an IT consultant by an entrepreneur starting a small advertising company called MilleniAds. As a start-up, your client’s company is relatively small and has a limited budget. There are only 10 employees, including a few creative directors, graphic designers, sales staff, a financial accountant, and an office administrator, with the entrepreneur acting as CEO. The current IT budget cannot exceed $25,000 and ideally should come in as far under that number as possible. MilleniAds will produce customized sales flyers, brochures, and other branded items, such as letterhead and business cards, that apply a youthful, fresh perspective targeting millennial demographics. Therefore, the company needs the ability to store and manipulate digital images and to produce physical copies of their products for their clients. The CEO wants to keep track of inventory, sales, and expenses digitally, but she does not anticipate having very complex records for the first year. She projects having only a dozen or so accounts but hopes to scale up in the coming years. It would be ideal to have a simple and user-friendly system for sharing information and files between employees. Many of the employees are millennials themselves who have indicated that their current desktop PCs are limiting their capabilities and that they prefer using their phones and other mobile devices for their professional and personal responsibilities. Two of the ten employees will operate primarily outside of the office, soliciting business from regional firms, and they will need to access company information while on the road, in their home offices, and at customer sites.
Beyond the specific information given above, you have the ability to fill in the gaps with assumptions or additional details that will make your final project unique and meaningful to you. If you have any questions, reach out to your instructor for guidance, and use the milestone assignments to ensure that you are completing your project within reasonable parameters for the course.
Prompt
Given the scenario above, what are the best hardware, software, networking, and information security options for addressing your client’s business needs?
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Business Needs: In this section, list and describe all of the business needs that you have been able to determine given the information in the provided scenario and your own choices for filling in the gaps. Be sure that you provide enough detail to fully support the rest of your report.
II. Hardware Components
a. Examine the business’s issues to determine specific hardware requirements. Based on these issues, what are the major categories and components of hardware that should be considered? Identify each of the applicable requirements (hard drive storage, video cards, etc.), being sure to cite specific examples wherever appropriate.
b. Then, compare and contrast the various options for meeting the requirements. Be sure to cite specific evidence from the component specification fact sheets to support your evaluation. What are their functional strengths and weaknesses? How do they compare in terms of cost and maintainability?
c. Compose a final list detailing all of your specific hardware recommendations for your client. Be sure to logically justify your proposal as the best possible choice for meeting the business requirements.
III. Software Applications
a. Examine the business’s issues to determine specific software requirements. What are the types of software applications that should be considered? Identify multiple possible options within each category, being sure to cite specific examples wherever appropriate.
b. Then, compare and contrast the options you have listed. Be sure to cite specific evidence that supports your evaluation. What are their functional strengths and weaknesses? How do they compare in terms of cost, vendor credibility, multi-user access, technical support, and integration?
c. Compose a final list detailing all of your specific software recommendations for your client. Be sure to logically justify your proposal as the best possible choice for meeting the business requirements.
IV. Networking Options
a. Examine the business’s issues to determine network requirements. Illustrate your response with specific examples. For example, to what extent should there be access inside the business for mobile devices and remote personnel?
b. Then, compare and contrast the options for meeting the requirements. Be sure to cite specific evidence that supports your conclusions. How would you ensure security of information over the network? Which type of network connection is preferable?
c. Make final recommendations for network solutions based on your evaluation of the options. Be sure to logically justify your proposal as the best possible choice for meeting the business requirements. V. Maintenance and Security
a. Interpret the business’s needs to determine specific information regarding security requirements. Illustrate your response with specific examples. To what extent should unauthorized individuals be prevented from making changes, copying, or deleting files or data on the system?
Is there sensitive data for which access must be controlled? What sort of information should be backed up?
b. Then, compare and contrast the options for managing user access to company information. Evaluate each option for its strengths and weaknesses, citing specific evidence that supports your conclusions. Is there a need to have password setups for files? What type of naming conventions should the client use for files and directories? Should individual computer accounts be created? Should everyone have read access
to all files?
c. Finally, compare and contrast the options for backing up and storing information, including how often to back up information, storage location, and who should have access to backing up the data. Evaluate each option for its strengths and weaknesses, citing specific evidence that supports your evaluation.
