Bead Bar Network Paper

The Bead Bar is a pseudo business created to teach the concepts of Information Technology.

BRJ Consulting was contracted by the Bead Bar to assist in determining information technology needs. The Bead Bar is an arts and crafts oriented company that enables its customers to design and make their own jewelry with wires, beads, and strings. There currently exist three divisions in the company spread throughout the United States: six (6) studios, five (5) franchises, and the Bead Bar on Board which is a portable Bead Bar designed for cruise ships. The Bead Bar has outgrown its paper-based system and is in need of an upgrade in today's technology; the poor efficiency of the Bead Bar's present system limits potential growth opportunities in today's global business market. (Malaga, 2005)

Systems in information technology all for globalization and solve most of the problems prevalent with paper-based systems including lost orders, invoicing errors, and order fulfillment delays. The Bead Bar's information technology needs include the initialization of business website, information sharing between locations, and data confidentiality and security; this means the Bead Bar is in need of a strong networking system which is vital for internal and external communications.

Computers are essential to the daily operations of a growing company such as the Bead Bar with the continuous processing of orders and the various benefits offered to the accounting professionals. As per the recommendations of BRJ Consulting, the Bead Bar has made the following purchases: fifteen (15) desktop computers, two (2) notebook computers, and one (1) handheld computer. (Malaga, 2005)

All of the company's personal computers run on the Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system, and due to the Bead Bar's multiple locations, the Oracle 9i Database, an enterprise database specifically designed to manage the distributed data necessary for the Bead Bar's organizational needs, was determined to be the best choice to meet the Bead Bar's current and future needs. However, a distributed database necessitates that all the Bead Bar's computers be routed through a network and telecommunication system; the database must be configured properly through a network to enable the database to operate at its full capacity.(Malaga, 2005)

The managers of the Bead Bar described the features each was most concerned or interested in: Meredith, President and Owner, expressed concerns about the unsightly appearance of a wired network; Suzanne, Studios VP, desires the studios to be interconnected with each other and headquarters; Leda, Franchises VP, would like an easier way to send and receive designs; Mitch, Bead Bar on Board VP, needs to be able to have access to the corporate office from virtually anywhere; Julia, Chief Financial Officer, would like a speedier method of receiving financial data but is concerned about the expense involved in connecting all the sites via a network; Miriam, Marketing and Sales VP, would appreciate the ability to electronically receive sales data and send marketing material; Rachel, Operations and Purchasing VP, expressed interest in the ability of a network to reduce paperwork and speed up processing of requests; and Jim, Human Resources Director, would like to be able to send and receive employee forms electronically. (Malaga, 2005)

At first glance, it may seem to be impossible to meet all of these needs and still maintain the economic affordability necessary of a fledgling business; however, an exploration of the Bead Bar's telecommunication system requirements and desires that are outlined in detail below with show that while much of the information technology needed is not the lowest cost alternative available, the selections chosen are the lowest cost while still meeting the Bead Bar's needs now with very little upgrading required as the Bead Bar continues to grow.

A mesh topology is the most cost-effective topology that is suitable to meet the needs of the Bead Bar. A client/server architecture is best suited to facilitate the Bead Bar's wide area network (WAN) that will work on a transmission control protocol and Internet protocol (TCP/IP).

A network topology is the layout of the devices connected on a network: the bus, ring, and star topology are the most widely used; however, the mesh topology will best meet the needs of the Bead Bar, as laid out by the Bead Bar's executives. The Bead Bar has several sites located throughout the United States; the mesh topology will allow the locations to transmit data back and forth, with both speed and efficiency, whereas the bus, star, and ring topologies only allow data to travel in one direction. No hub is used for a mesh topology, making it highly reliable. The network will also need to be wireless due to concerns about the appearance of the locations, enabling the sites to remain pleasing to the beholder and to allow for the manipulation of office furniture .The Bead Bar's executives stressed the need for data to travel quickly between locations and a mesh topology will satisfy this need.

A client/server architecture is a superlative choice for the Bead Bar's network; the client/server architecture assigns computers to provide certain services, process requests, and act as a client. The client/server is extremely powerful and can handle multiple requests simultaneously. The server can be set to share client data and act as a valuable storage unit: a tremendous memory source for all information storage relevant to the Bead Bar's daily operations. Because there are specific materials that need to be kept confidential, a client/server would allow for complete control of data. All of the Bead Bar's computers do not need indiscriminate access to all the company data; the client/server architecture protects the integrity of company data.

A wide area network (WAN) is recommended for the Bead Bar's network due to the necessity of being able to cover large distances, due to the Bead Bar's multiple locations spread over the United States. A WAN will enable all of the various Bead Bar locations to be linked via a public telecommunication network such as a leased phone line or satellite. The WAN will also enable Bead Bar headquarters to update and monitor software on all the desktop computers regardless of their location.

There are obvious pros and cons to any network solution; however, a reliable, strong network system is vital to continued growth. The above recommendations were established to maintain cost effectiveness while meeting the networking needs of the Bead Bar and its various locations. The recommendations made will ensure the Bead Bar operates with increase efficiency and productivity, while reducing lost orders, incorrect invoicing, and fulfillment delays. The Bead Bar will continue to grow as a direct result of improved, organized, and proficient communication facilitated by the network topology and architecture.

References

Malaga, R. A. (2005). Information systems technology. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.