A Project Plan Outlines Recommended Approaches On How To Use
A Project Plan Outlines Recommended Approaches On How To Use The Netwo
A project plan outlines recommended approaches on how to use the network, database management system, software, and cloud service technologies selected. Industry best practices dictate selection criteria and their importance to a specific project; therefore, a project plan draft should include the recommended approaches, their criteria, and the benefits each is expected to deliver to the project. For this assignment, you will draft a project plan for the project proposal you outlined in Week 1 (and updated earlier this week based on instructor feedback). Download the Project Plan Draft. Fill in the Project Plan Draft for the business scenario you chose last week.
Your draft must include the following items: Network technology recommendation(s) Database management system recommendation(s) Appropriate software application recommendation(s) Cloud service recommendation(s) Please note that I do not consider simply parroting back material from another source to be sufficient - you will need to provide your material in your own words and discuss or describe how any external material you provide relates to the scenario. Also, please make sure you properly paraphrase, quote, reference and cite any material you are discussing. Submit your Project Plan Draft.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
In the rapidly evolving landscape of information technology, developing an effective project plan that includes suitable network, database, software, and cloud solutions is crucial to ensure the success of a business initiative. This paper presents a comprehensive draft of a project plan tailored for a retail business aiming to enhance its online presence and operational efficiency. The plan emphasizes selecting appropriate technologies aligned with industry best practices, tailored to the specific needs of the business scenario.
Network Technology Recommendations
The backbone of any digital enterprise is its network infrastructure, which must be robust, scalable, and secure. For the retail scenario, a combination of wired Ethernet connections for on-premises systems and wireless Wi-Fi 6 for mobile devices provides a balance of speed and flexibility (Cisco, 2020). Implementing virtual LANs (VLANs) improves security by segmenting traffic, thereby isolating sensitive customer data from general network use (Kaur & Kaur, 2019). As cyber threats increasingly target retail networks, deploying next-generation firewalls with intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) is essential (Singh & Sharma, 2021). By adopting these networking solutions, the business can ensure reliable connectivity while safeguarding operational data.
Database Management System Recommendations
A database management system (DBMS) serves as the core of the business’s data strategy, supporting inventory, sales, customer, and supplier information. For this scenario, a relational database such as MySQL or PostgreSQL is recommended due to their stability, scalability, and open-source nature (Elmasri & Navathe, 2015). PostgreSQL, in particular, offers advanced features such as support for JSON data types, which are advantageous for storing semi-structured data like customer reviews (Stonebraker et al., 2018). The chosen DBMS should be hosted on a secure, redundant server environment to ensure high availability and disaster recovery (Kumar et al., 2020). Implementing role-based access controls (RBAC) within the DBMS enhances data security and compliance with privacy regulations.
Appropriate Software Application Recommendations
In selecting software applications, the emphasis is on usability, integration, and scalability. A customer relationship management (CRM) tool such as Salesforce or HubSpot can streamline marketing and customer service processes, providing actionable insights through analytics (Ryan, 2020). For inventory management, cloud-based ERP solutions like NetSuite offer integrated modules that connect sales, procurement, and finance functions seamlessly (Lin & Lu, 2019). Additionally, e-commerce platforms like Shopify or Magento enable the business to expand its online sales channels efficiently (El-Gohary & El-Gohary, 2019). These software solutions should be evaluated based on their compatibility with existing systems, ease of use, and support for future growth.
Cloud Service Recommendations
Cloud services offer flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency critical for retail operations. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) are prominent providers capable of hosting virtual servers, databases, and applications (Mell & Grance, 2011). For the current scenario, deploying a hybrid cloud approach — combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud resources — ensures data sovereignty and operational continuity (Rimal et al., 2017). Cloud storage services like Amazon S3 or Azure Blob Storage facilitate scalable storage of customer data and multimedia content (Gai et al., 2020). Moreover, cloud-based security solutions, such as DDoS protection and encryption services, are recommended to safeguard sensitive information against cyber threats (Ali et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Crafting a comprehensive project plan for technology implementation requires careful selection of network, database, software, and cloud solutions that align with the business’s operational needs and strategic goals. Adhering to industry best practices ensures the deployment of scalable, secure, and efficient systems capable of supporting growth and innovation. By integrating robust network infrastructure, reliable database management, versatile software applications, and flexible cloud services, the business can achieve enhanced performance, security, and customer satisfaction.
References
- Ali, S., et al. (2020). Cloud security challenges and solutions: A survey. Journal of Cloud Computing, 9(1), 25.
- Cisco. (2020). Cisco Wireless LAN Solutions. Cisco Systems.
- El-Gohary, H., & El-Gohary, N. (2019). E-commerce platforms trends and integration. International Journal of Business and Management, 14(2), 45-54.
- Elmasri, R., & Navathe, S. B. (2015). Fundamentals of Database Systems (7th Edition). Pearson.
- Gai, K., et al. (2020). A survey on cloud computing and security. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 140, 102-117.
- Kaur, G., & Kaur, P. (2019). Enhancing network security in retail sector through VLAN. International Journal of Computer Science & Communication Networks, 9(1), 45-50.
- Kumar, S., et al. (2020). High availability and disaster recovery strategies for databases. Journal of Data Management, 8(3), 85-92.
- Lin, H., & Lu, Y. (2019). Cloud ERP implementation in retail industry. Journal of Enterprise Information Management, 32(4), 623-641.
- Mell, P., & Grance, T. (2011). The NIST definition of cloud computing. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
- Rimal, B. P., et al. (2017). Architectural considerations for hybrid cloud services. IEEE Software, 34(4), 52-59.
- Singh, R., & Sharma, P. (2021). Cybersecurity challenges in retail networks. Cybersecurity Journal, 5(2), 22-30.
- Stonebraker, M., et al. (2018). Modern database systems: An overview. ACM Computing Surveys, 51(4), 1-36.
- Ryan, D. (2020). Integrating CRM and marketing analytics for retail success. Journal of Marketing Technology, 8(1), 78-89.