Computer Systems Scenarios

This is a list of computer system recommendations for four mock businesses/individual that will meet their current and future needs.

Scenario 1

Sarah's Flower Designs is a fledgling, home-based business in Madison, Wisconsin, consisting of three employees. Sarah, the owner, handles all of the floral arrangements. Her assistant, Mark, handles the purchasing of flowers, related materials, and takes telephone and walk-in orders from customers. Mark also keeps the financial and client records in order. Kim is the delivery driver and makes local deliveries to homes and businesses.

Sarah's Flower Designs is looking to upgrade its computer system (an older model PC) to help keep up with the growing demand of their customers. They would like to house their client information and order histories on their new system, as well as bill their customers electronically. They also want Kim to have a way to keep track of customer addresses and specific delivery instructions while she is on the road. What IT recommendations would you make for Sarah's Flower Designs?

Recommendation Scenario 1

Sarah should replace her older model PC with a new desktop system consisting of a CPU with 512 MB of RAM, CD-RW drive, standard 17" CRT monitor, standard keyboard and mouse, and an ink-jet printer. This system will supply the standard equipment she needs for day-to-day operations, and the memory capable of handling the client base of a small but growing company.

To house the company's business information, Mark needs a business accounting software program, such as those by Quicken or Peachtree, which will allow them to track and manage billing, store client information, order histories, and bill customers electronically. There will be an initial time expenditure of data entry, but once this is completed, the data needs only to be kept up-to-date.

To enable Kim to keep track of client addresses and delivery instructions while on the road, I would recommend the use of a Personal Digital Assistant or PDA. The PDA will enable Kim to synchronize her PDA with the CPU, importing all the information she needs while away from the office making deliveries.

Scenario 2

SBI Corporation is a financial consulting organization based out of Dallas, Texas with four satellite offices located throughout the southwestern United States. The company has 300 full-time employees, 20 of whom travel to various office locations 2 to 4 days a week. These 20 employees do not have access to email and other company programs when they are traveling.

SBI Corporation wants to improve their company Web site to provide its clients with access to their portfolio information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The company also wants to supply technology equipment to employees who travel on a regular basis, in order to keep them in the loop. What IT recommendations would you make for SBI Corporation?

Recommendation Scenario 2

The SBI Corporation would benefit from purchasing laptops for all 20 of their mobile employees; however, the laptop alone is not sufficient to fully meet the needs of these employees. Each laptop needs to be wireless ready; a nationwide wireless plan, available from many cellular companies would be quite valuable if coverage can be matched. This plan will allow each mobile employee to remain in the informational loop and allow them to access company programs and email while traveling.

SBI Corporation will need a minicomputer to host a website that would enable clients to access their portfolios and other information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. SBI Corporation will also need to purchase or build a software program that can provide the updated information to clients on a daily basis. The security systems will also need to be examined and updated as necessary to ensure client and account confidentiality.

Scenario 3

The Helping Hands League is a nonprofit organization out of Orlando, Florida that offers assistance to elderly and handicapped individuals. Currently, the league has 35 volunteers who are assigned to help different people in the community with errands, reading, cooking, and household chores.

The Helping Hands League does not have a lot of money to spend on technology. The league wants to keep records on each client and volunteer for tax purposes and have the ability to create schedules for volunteers to ensure the needs of each client are being met. What IT recommendations would you make for the Helping Hands League?

Recommendations Scenario 3

With funds being the major issue to keep in mind when considering what information system to recommend for the Helping Hands League, before giving a recommendation, the Helping Hands League would have to determine more precisely how much money they are able to allocate to this technology.
I believe the Helping Hands League would be able to get their needs met with just one desktop computer: CPU with 512 MB of RAM, CD-RW drive, standard 17" CRT monitor, standard keyboard and mouse, and an ink-jet printer. A smaller MB of RAM would possibly work if monetary funds are not available; however, I recommend the larger memory because it is reasonable to believe the volunteers and perhaps people completing community service may change frequently, and the larger memory would allow the Helping Hands League's information technology to meet needs for a longer period of time.

More importantly, the software needs can be kept fairly simple, Microsoft Office would work nicely to create schedules for the 35 volunteers and clients. Schedules for clients and volunteers could be completed either with Microsoft Word or Excel programs, and a basic accounting program such as Quicken would enable Helping Hands League to keep track of taxes

Scenario 4

John is an up-and-coming jazz singer and songwriter. He has regular gigs performing his original music at a neighborhood wine bar and a local Italian restaurant in his hometown of Santa Barbara, California. John is frequently asked by many of the wine bar and restaurant patrons if he has a CD recording of his songs for sale.

John has not been signed to a record label as of yet, but he has been thinking about recording an album independently and selling it online and at his shows. He would like to record and produce the album on his own, at his house. John would also like to keep track of his personal and professional finances, listen to the audition recordings of session musicians interested in playing with him on his album, and have access to the Internet. What IT recommendations would you make for John?

Recommendations Scenario 4

First of all, John needs a desktop system to include: CPU with 512 MB of RAM, CD-RW drive, standard 17" CRT or LCD monitor, standard keyboard and mouse, microphone, and speakers. John will need to purchase media/audio software to enable his computer to record music. John may also want to look into a speaker system that includes a sub-woofer.

To keep track of personal and professional finances, John could use a Quicken program, which works fantastically for multiple accounts, enabling him to manage both his personal and professional finances. Another important aspect of Quicken that John would like is its ability to synchronize the accounts from his bank's website which would necessitate an internet connection.

For internet options, John should check into cable or phone high speed for two main reasons: first is the speed and reliability, second, both cable and phone internet service providers offer a free website, which they will assist him in establishing. A website would also help John get his name and music a little more publicity.

References:

University of Phoenix, IT 205 Management of Information Systems course materials: Appendix C