Create Technology Solutions Competency And Create A Plan

Create Technology Solutionscompetency Create A Plan T

Deliverable 4 – Create Technology Solutions Competency · Create a plan to deploy technology solutions in alignment with strategic business needs.

Scenario North American Transport (NAT) is a fast growing long-haul trucking company that specializes in the delivery of fresh foods to many of the leading fresh-food retail chains across the United States. NAT is based out of Kansas City, Kansas and employs 75 drivers, loaders, mechanics, communications technicians, business developers, and managers. NAT’s business plan includes 20% growth per year or 225 employees within 5 years. NAT is also planning on adding additional Fleet Resource Centers in California and Virginia.

Fleet Resource Centers are NAT owned service facilities used to maintain the fleet of trucks, vans, trailers, refrigeration etc. Fleet Resource Centers also offer growth and will require resources. Business Goals for the MIS Architecture: · An architecture that is flexible and scalable; Company growth is projected to be 20% per year · An architecture that can rapidly deploy/employ new systems and technology; Agile system development · An architecture that meets the demands of evolving business processes; Information Technology cannot “hold up” any business process, IT must be adaptable · An architecture that is easily understood and easy to manage; Minimize IT department footprint. Take advantage of cloud services · An architecture that is secure; Deploy state-of-the-art security software/hardware

Current MIS Architecture Capabilities: · One 12 port 10 Mb/s switch · Laptop computers used to support administration with various operating systems · 1 shared printer · MS Office 2007 · Exchange Server 2007 · MS SQL on a stand-alone computer · ADSL broadband Internet 8 Mb/s

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In an increasingly competitive and rapidly evolving logistics sector, North American Transport (NAT) faces the challenge of maintaining a flexible, scalable, and secure information management system that aligns with its aggressive growth strategies. This paper analyzes the current MIS architecture, identifies gaps related to the company's strategic objectives, and recommends an improved, future-proof IT infrastructure to support sustained growth and operational excellence.

Analysis of Current MIS Architecture

The existing MIS setup at NAT is minimally equipped for the demands of scaling and rapid deployment of new systems. The core network infrastructure relies on a single 12-port 10 Mbps switch, which constrains network traffic, limits scalability, and hampers reliable, high-speed connectivity essential for modern logistics operations. Additionally, the reliance on older hardware such as laptops with various operating systems and a stand-alone MS SQL server restricts efficiency, complicates management, and increases security vulnerabilities.

Bandwidth is limited to 8 Mbps broadband ADSL connection, which, in the context of increasing data demands, can lead to significant bottlenecks, especially when dealing with real-time tracking, communication, and data sharing across multiple locations. The current system's promise of reliability and security is weak due to outdated hardware, minimal security hardware/software, and lack of redundancy or disaster recovery plans, leaving the company susceptible to data breaches and operational disruptions.

Mobility and user flexibility are primarily constrained by the network's infrastructure limitations—laptops are supported, but with inconsistent operating systems and lack of mobile device integration or wireless access points, impeding dynamic workforce requirements. Overall, the current architecture falls short of supporting NAT’s expansion plans and aligns poorly with the company's strategic goals.

Existing Resources and Operational Objectives

NAT's resource base includes basic hardware such as the single switch, laptops, a shared printer, and foundational software like MS Office 2007, Exchange Server 2007, and a stand-alone MS SQL database. The organization aims for a flexible, scalable, and secure MIS infrastructure that supports aggressive growth. Operational objectives include rapid deployment of new systems, seamless business process support, minimal IT management footprint, and robust security measures to protect sensitive business and customer data.

Key assumptions based on scenario data suggest that there is a need for enhanced connectivity, better integration of cloud-based services, modernization of hardware and software technology stack, and increased security protocols to safeguard operational data across multiple locations.

Recommendations for an Improved MIS Architecture

The current architecture undeniably hinders NAT's capacity to expand efficiently and securely. To align with the company’s strategic growth plan, a comprehensive upgrade is necessary, emphasizing the following aspects:

• Network Infrastructure Enhancement: Replace the existing 10 Mbps switch with a robust gigabit Ethernet switch, supporting high-speed data transfer, scalability, and redundancy.
• Migration to Cloud Services: Transition email, data storage, and application hosting to cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services, enabling agility, remote access, and scalability while reducing on-premises footprint.
• Implementation of Wireless Networking: Deploy Wi-Fi 6 access points across all facilities, including Fleet Resource Centers, for reliable mobile access and real-time data synchronization.
• Hardware Modernization: Standardize laptops using current operating systems and consider mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enhance security and manageability across all mobile endpoints.
• Advanced Security Deployment: Implement next-generation firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and endpoint security solutions tailored for the cloud environment.
• Scalability and Flexibility: Adopt a modular, virtualized infrastructure leveraging cloud-driven infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS), which can adapt rapidly to business needs and expansion milestones.

These measures will provide NAT with a resilient, secure, and highly adaptable MIS environment that supports its growth trajectory, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage.

Proposed Architecture Diagram

An illustrative diagram (attached as appendix) would depict a hybrid architecture integrating on-premises hardware (such as a modern switch, servers, and workstations) seamlessly connected to cloud services for storage, applications, and security functionalities. Wireless access points would be shown throughout the facilities, facilitating mobility, while secure VPN tunnels link remote Fleet Resource Centers to the central infrastructure. This diagram ensures clear visualization of network flows, redundancy pathways, and security zones, supporting the strategic objectives outlined.

Conclusion

In conclusion, NAT’s current MIS architecture is insufficient for future growth, risking operational inefficiencies and security vulnerabilities. A strategic overhaul emphasizing cloud migration, hardware modernization, network upgrades, and security enhancements is essential. These recommendations will enable NAT to achieve scalable, agile, and secure IT infrastructure capable of supporting its aggressive growth targets and evolving business processes.

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