Design Scenario: Harriet’s Fruit And Chocolate Company ✓ Solved

Design Scenario Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company was e

Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company was established in 1935 in the Pacific Northwest of the United States to ship gift baskets of locally grown peaches and pears to customers in the United States. The company also makes chocolates and baked goods to include in the gift baskets. It has grown extensively over the years and is currently one of the biggest companies in the Pacific Northwest. Recently, Harriet’s descendants, who still run the company, have identified a need to immediately report when fruit is starting to ripen and should be picked and placed in cold storage. Employees in the marketing department have identified a need to access inventory data for the fruit in the orchards and in cold storage. With this data, they can design and sell gift-basket products that take advantage of the ripe fruit. This data must also be fed into e-commerce applications so that web orders can correctly specify product availability. In addition, the company recently hired an ambitious programmer who is anxious to use her knowledge of SAS programming, SQL, and DB2 to design reporting applications for senior management. She calls you every day with new ideas on what she could accomplish if the network were upgraded so that she could reach up-to-date data from the orchards and cold storage buildings. As the network designer for this company, you have been charged with selecting network technologies to reach the orchards and cold storage buildings.

The first step I will take to investigate the physical infrastructure of the orchards, orchard shacks, and cold storage buildings is to conduct a thorough site survey. This survey will involve assessing the layout of the orchards and the proximity of the orchards to the cold storage buildings. I will also examine the existing electrical infrastructure available at each location. Understanding the location of power sources and potential obstacles will inform my decisions on where to install network devices. Additionally, I will investigate the type and density of the fruit trees, as this may affect the potential for wireless signal blockage. Weather conditions, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, such as rainfall and wind, will also be crucial to consider to ensure the reliability of the chosen technology.

Business goals for Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company include improving operational efficiency by having real-time access to inventory data, enhancing customer satisfaction through timely delivery of gift baskets made from ripe fruit, and increasing sales via e-commerce platforms. Constraints that may affect these goals include budget limitations for network upgrades, potential challenges in integrating new technologies with existing systems, and regulatory requirements regarding food safety and data security that may impact inventory tracking.

Technical goals for Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company should encompass establishing a reliable and scalable networking infrastructure, ensuring high-speed data access for real-time reporting applications, and implementing secure data transmission protocols. Tradeoffs might include balancing the cost of high-speed internet connectivity against the budget constraints and considering the installation of wired connections versus wireless technologies, which may face signal issues in the orchards and cold storage buildings.

Considering the requirements of the applications being used by Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company, a wireless solution must be assessed carefully. Wireless technologies, while offering flexibility and ease of installation, may struggle to provide the low latency necessary for real-time data reporting if physical barriers, such as fruit trees and the considerable distance between the orchards and cold storage buildings, interfere with signal strength. I would recommend exploring hybrid solutions that utilize both wired and wireless technologies to ensure adequate coverage and low delay in data transmission.

Security concerns in designing the network upgrade include the protection of sensitive data transmitted over the network, especially inventory and customer information. Measures must be taken to safeguard against unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential cyber-attacks. Protocols such as WPA3 for wireless security, VPNs for remote access, and secure authentication methods should be recommended to improve overall network security. Additionally, regular audits and updates to security practices will be essential to safeguard critical data as technology evolves.

Paper For Above Instructions

Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company, established in 1935, has significantly evolved and expanded its operations to become a leading player in the Pacific Northwest’s fruit and chocolate gifting market. As a network designer tasked with enhancing the company’s operational efficiency and technological capabilities, a comprehensive analysis of the company's infrastructure is pivotal. A strategic approach to investigating the physical infrastructure encompassing the orchards, orchard shacks, and cold storage buildings guides the initial steps towards developing an efficient network.

The investigation should start with a site survey aimed at assessing the spatial arrangement and proximity of the orchards to the cold storage buildings. Emphasis should be placed on identifying existing electrical systems, assessing their capacity, and determining the optimal locations for networking equipment. The exploration of potential obstacles, such as mature fruit trees, is critical, as they may impede wireless signal propagation. Furthermore, climatic factors specific to the Pacific Northwest, which may influence technology performance, should be evaluated thoroughly to anticipate and mitigate potential risks.

The business goals for Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company should primarily focus on operational efficiency, which can be achieved with real-time access to inventory data. Enhancing customer satisfaction through timely delivery of fresh, ripe fruit gift baskets must be prioritized as it directly impacts sales. Moreover, increasing engagement through e-commerce initiatives can drive sales growth. However, there are constraints. Budget limitations are a significant factor, impacting the extent of the network upgrade that can be realistically implemented. Additionally, integration challenges with existing systems and compliance with regulatory standards surrounding food safety and data security may impose further limitations on the company's operational goals.

On the technical front, the goals should include establishing a reliable and scalable networking infrastructure that can support high-speed data requirements for real-time applications. It is equally important to prioritize data security while ensuring seamless integration of new technologies with the current systems. Tradeoffs in achieving these technical goals could include the decision between installing costly high-speed wired connections versus more economical wireless solutions, which, although flexible, may struggle with performance due to factors unique to the orchards.

When evaluating a wireless solution in light of the company’s operational needs, it is necessary to consider potential latency issues. Wireless technologies often provide flexibility and facile deployment; however, interference caused by physical barriers (like full-grown trees) and significant distances may inhibit their effectiveness in offering the low delays required by applications. To counteract these challenges, I propose examining a hybrid network approach that incorporates both wired and wireless components. This strategy could harness the reliability of wired solutions for critical areas while extending the flexibility of wireless systems to cover the orchards effectively.

Security is another critical area that requires attention during the network upgrade design process. Protecting sensitive inventory data and customer information is paramount. Establishing secure data transmission methods, such as employing WPA3 for wireless networks and implementing VPNs for secure remote access, should form the foundation of the security strategy. Moreover, utilizing secure authentication mechanisms will help safeguard the network against unauthorized access. Regular security audits and updates will be essential to ensure that the network maintains resilience against emerging threats over time. These security measures will not only comply with regulatory requirements but also boost customer trust in Harriet’s Fruit and Chocolate Company.

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