Final Project Milestone One: Identify Business Needs

2-3 Final Project Milestone One: Identify Business Needs

IT-201 Computer Platform Technologies

Southern New Hampshire University

Introduction

In order for a business to function there are several items that are needed such as hardware, software, and useful tools that provide ease-of-use in order to produce a higher quality product. Hardware needs will be based on the different functions that the company will provide, the amount and locations of employees, as well as the budget that the company has allocated to fulfil their needs. To meet the requirements of MilleniAds, choosing the correct hardware that allows for future expansion is essential, followed by the software to manage processes and to store and protect the company’s and customer’s information.

Software Needs

To start off software should have an easy to use and understand HCI, which will allow for the employee to better use each required application. Because of its HCI meeting this requirement, Windows 10 Professional x64 is a great choice. This OS is designed to meet the needs of small and medium sized businesses while providing the best defense against security threats and allowing a seamless integration with cloud computing services. Windows 10 Pro has integrated software that will assist with all designing projects, organization, and data protection such as touch screen monitors, BitLocker, and snap screens. One last benefit of this OS is the Remote Desktop function which will allow you to access the resources and files on your workstation from anywhere. (Microsoft, December 2016)

An optional software package with the Microsoft Windows 10 Pro that will provide the greatest benefit to MilleniAds is Microsoft Office 365, aka Office 365. Office 365 is a cloud base service that contains the following Microsoft Programs:

With the use of this software package the employees will have the ability to create and manage documents from anywhere while sharing them with other employees or clients in the process.

  • Microsoft Word – Meets all word processing needs.
  • Microsoft Excel – A spreadsheet that provides calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables and macro programing functions.
  • Microsoft PowerPoint – Meets all presentation needs.
  • Microsoft OneNote – Provides a baseline for collaboration of notes and drawings sharable to other OneNote users.
  • Microsoft Outlook – Meets all email communication needs.
  • Microsoft Publisher – Provides a baseline for layout and design needs.
  • Microsoft Access – Provides ability to create and manage databases and track information.

Along with the above listed software, MilleniAds will need a VPN service to provide secure communication between the office and remote sites where mobile employees may need to access information. A low cost but efficient option that will allow all ten employees to connect using the VPN is the AnyConnect Suite. This Suite is the most up-to-date software provided by Cisco, and is compatible with Microsoft Windows 10 Professional.

The most efficient software currently on the market for creating and managing your projects is provided by Adobe and is called Adobe Creative Cloud. This software Suite includes a number of different programs that you can choose from and only purchase what you will use, from their list the following will benefit MilleniAds the best:

In order to manage the financial books of MilleniAds a financial management software is needed. A low cost and efficient product is Quicken Business 2018. This product is easy to use and understand and will allow all financial transactions and documents to be organized and tracked by both the company and other entities such as financial planners or financial institutions.

  • Photoshop – Provides ability to edit and compost photos 3D artwork and videos.
  • Lightroom – Allows editing, organization, storage, and sharing of photos from anywhere.
  • InDesign – Allows crafting of layouts both on desktops and mobile devices.
  • Adobe Premire Pro – Allows the editing of media and creations productions
  • Dimension – Allows the creation of 3D images for branding, product shots, and package design.

Hardware Needs

Each employee will require a workstation that provides the ability to multitask, high processing power, sufficient storage, high definition graphics and screen, and an optical drive. To meet this list of requirements I recommend that each employee is provided with a Velocity Micro Raptor Z95, this workstation has the below listed specs:

MilleniAds will require a high-quality printing capability for their employees. The recommendation for printing is to purchase three Lexmark CS410dtn Color Laser Printers. This printer is capable of high-quality precise printing and provides a low rate of failure. Along with the printers, MilleniAds will need quality paper and binding tools for their brochures and business cards, as well as a stockpile of ink.

  • Intel Core i9-7900x processor
  • 4.5 GHz Processor speed
  • 32 GB of RAM
  • 3.5 TB of Storage
  • Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Graphics Card
  • DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
  • Windows 10 Professional Operating System
  • 27 inch Dell UltraSharp 2415 Monitor

For the network infrastructure of MilleniAds, the recommendation is Platform as a Service or PaaS. This would normally be organized with the software needs of the company however, it meets the requirements of hardware. Purchasing this service allows the company to pay for only what is used, while allowing for extensive growth and expansion in the future. When PaaS is used, the service provider will provide all required network devices, to include storage devices, to take the burden off of the business.

Hardware Components

MilleniAds is an up and coming company that will require specific capabilities that will fulfill current business needs as well as the potential for future growth. After evaluating the company’s requirements and needs, along with the budget that has been set aside to do so, the compiled list seen below should be considered when finalizing the hardware orders.

Graphic Designer Personnel:

The listed components will provide the graphic designers with the best quality picture, fastest processing speeds, and ample storage space for all projects and business needs. Although more expensive than other options, by assigning this particular configuration to only the graphic designers, you will maximize productivity while saving costs on workstations for the other employees.

  • Velocity Micro Raptor Z95
    • Midsize ATX Form Factor – Saves space, while allowing future expansion.
    • MATX Motherboard
    • 750Watt EVGA SuperNOVA Power Supply
    • Intel i9-7900x Processor – 10 Cores, 4.30 Max Frequency, 13.75 MB L3 Cache Memory
    • Nividia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Graphics Card – 11GB GDDR5 on board memory
      • PCI Express 3.0 Interface
      • DirectX 12
      • Max resolution – 7680×4320
        • 27” Dell Ultra Sharpe 2415 Monitor
        • 3.5Tb storage space
        • 32 GB RAM
        • DVD/RW Optical Drive

        Sales Staff, CEO, Office Personnel:

        Sales Staff will require the capability of displaying products to the customer while processing orders on the go. For this reason, they will be issued portable laptops that will make working from different locations easier while also providing the ability to use resources from the office via VPN connection. This lightweight machine provides a low cost to the company and gives the end user high availability of resources with plenty of storage space, and great quality graphics.

        • Microsoft Surface Book SX3
          • Intel Core i5 – 2.4Ghz frequency
          • 8 GB Memory
          • 256 GB Solid State Drive
          • Nividia GeForce Graphics Card
          • 13.5” touch screen monitor with stylus
          • Onboard Wireless Network Interface Card

          Given the above listed components, there are options available for purchase that will provide a lower cost to MilleniAds. Other components will not provide high availability, or enough processing power in order to efficiently complete tasks while allowing for future growth. Within the recommended hardware components, price is the biggest downfall. Spending more money up front will save money later on when MilleniAds beings to grow. Below is an overview of the above listed components.

          References

          • Velocity Micro Raptor Z95
          • MATX Motherboard
          • 750Watt EVGA SuperNOVA Power Supply
          • Intel i9-7900x Processor
          • Nividia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Graphics Card
          • 27” Dell Ultra Sharpe 2415 Monitor
          • 3.5Tb Solid State Drive
          • 32 GB RAM
          • DVD/RW Optical Drive
          • Microsoft Surface Book SX3

          Microsoft (2016, December 19) What’s the best operating system for your business? https://www.independent.ie

          Velocity Holdings, LLC (2018) http://www.velocitymicro.com/wizard.php?iid=299

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