Introduction To Computers: Assignment 4 Business Startup

C10 Introduction To Computersassignment 4 Business Start Up Proposal

C10; Introduction to Computers Assignment 4; Business Start Up Proposal Bill, a close friend of your parents wants to start a business. Your parents refer him to you since you are presently working on a technology related degree. In your first discussion, you discover the following facts: · Bill has been a sales representative for a major restaurant supply company for many years. · His prior skills are very low tech. He drives from city to city, visiting restaurants and either provides his customers with supplies, or visits new restaurants to try and convince them to purchase supplies from him exclusively. He phones his orders in to the manufacturer, and other than accounting for his expenses while on the road, he does no record keeping. · Other than basic email skills and a vague familiarization with Microsoft Word Bill has little or no experience with existing communications technologies or software applications. · Bill’s business plan is to start a new restaurant supply business in his home. He wishes to spend more time at home and travel much less than he did in the past. He knows he will sometimes be required to travel to negotiate deals or meet with clients, but he would prefer to be able to do all this at home whenever possible. Bill has already implemented the following actions: · He has found an accountant who has agreed to help him set up his accounting system. (Do not consider any accounting software for this assignment. The accountant will provide that.) · He has contacted six different restaurant supply companies and negotiated a fee and commission arrangement that will allow him to represent them and sell their products. · He has found local training and certification company that has classes in all the major software packages (Apple OS, Windows 7/8, Word, Excel, etc.), which will allow Bill to start classes immediately. Although Bill has minimal technical skills, he does know what he wants. As the discussion proceeds, the following items are added to the plan: · Budget: Bill has funds for the start up, but the budget has some limits. He doesn’t want the fastest, biggest or best, but he will spend what it takes to have equipment that will suit his needs. · Security: Bill has heard horror stories about computer information being hacked, and he wants your assurance that his business information will be secure, if he follows your suggestions. · Hardware: Bill knows of no special requirements for hardware, but he does know he will need to store somewhere between two and three terabytes of catalog information from the companies with whom he will be working. He needs to be able to access this info at all times from any location. He has no knowledge or preferences about hardware and says he will go with what you recommend. · Operating System and Software : Bill feels comfortable with the Windows environment, and prefers not to learn another operating system. · The Cloud, Wi-Fi, Mobile Computing : Bill has no idea how these technologies tie in to his business, but he does know he needs to be able to do the following from his home office, from his car, or from any remote location: Check his email and compose/send emails at any time, place a supplies order via the Internet to any of his suppliers, be able to answer phone calls, and be able to set up video conferencing phone calls. The Proposal: Prepare and submit a proposal to Bill that gives your suggested solution to his business plan. Provide Bill with the details of what he needs to purchase in order to have what he needs to conduct his business using today’s technology. Make sure you include the following items in your report: 1. Hardware : What items of hardware (computer, laptop, tablet device, telephone, etc.) should Bill purchase. For items like a computer, include minimum specifications for all major internal components. Justify the need for any major hardware items recommended. 2. Operating System: With the recommended hardware, what operating system choices are available and which would be best? Why? 3. Other Technologies: Include the details on any peripheral devices and technologies that you propose (“The Cloud”, mobile computing devices, Bluetooth, wireless networking, etc.) and explain how they fit into the business plan. 4. Software & Training: List the software applications that should be purchased. Include the training courses that Bill should attend to gain basic skills in the software packages you recommend. 5. Cost : Provide Bill with an estimated cost for him to implement all of your suggestions. Your proposal will be evaluated using the rubric below. Make sure you read the rubric and have a clear idea of what is expected. If there are any additional questions that you would have asked Bill be sure to note them as you explain to Bill what networking options he has so that you can explain what additional information could change your suggestion if any.

Paper For Above instruction

Starting a small business in the modern digital environment requires careful planning and strategic technology investments. For Bill, who aims to transition from a highly mobile sales representative to a home-based entrepreneur, selecting the right hardware, software, and connectivity options is critical to success. This proposal evaluates the necessary technological components to facilitate efficient operations, secure data management, and flexible remote access, all aligned with Bill’s budget and skill level.

Hardware Recommendations

To support Bill’s business activities, a reliable, versatile computer setup is essential. Considering his comfort with Windows and the need for mobility and remote accessibility, a high-performance laptop with the following specifications is advisable: a minimum Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD storage (for faster data access), and integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. An additional external hard drive or network-attached storage (NAS) device offering at least 3TB capacity is recommended to store the catalogs and business data. This setup ensures that Bill can access vital information anytime, anywhere, and provides room for future expansion. A smartphone with similar connectivity options should be selected to facilitate communication on the go.

Operating System Choice

Given Bill’s familiarity and comfort with Windows, Windows 10 or Windows 11 would be the optimal operating systems. These provide user-friendly interfaces, widespread compatibility with software applications, and robust security features. Windows also offers extensive support for wireless and cloud technologies, facilitating seamless remote work capabilities essential for his business needs.

Other Technologies and Peripherals

Wireless networking is fundamental to enable permanent internet connectivity at home and portability during travel. A dual-band Wi-Fi router supporting 802.11ac or ax standards is recommended to ensure fast, reliable internet access, necessary for video conferencing, online ordering, and email communication. Bluetooth peripherals such as wireless keyboards, mice, and headsets will enhance convenience during remote operations. Cloud services, such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive, should be integrated for secure, scalable file storage and sharing, allowing Bill to access his data from any device and location. Mobile computing devices, like tablets, can be used to review catalogs and communicate while away from the main workstation.

Software & Training Plan

For essential productivity, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) will be indispensable. To keep costs manageable, cloud-based subscriptions or standalone licenses can be considered. Given Bill’s limited prior skills, enrolling in beginner courses in MS Word, Excel, and basic internet security is crucial. Local training providers can offer tailored classes, potentially including cloud computing fundamentals and remote collaboration tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, vital for virtual meetings with clients and suppliers.

Cost Estimates

An estimated startup cost for the recommended technology setup is approximately $2,500 to $3,500. This includes a high-quality laptop (~$1,200), external storage (~$200), a dual-band wireless router (~$150), a smartphone (~$600), peripherals like wireless keyboard and headset (~$150), and software licenses (~$200). Costs will vary depending on brand choices and additional accessories. Training courses might add approximately $300, depending on provider and location.

In conclusion, equipping Bill with a suitable computing environment, reliable connectivity, and necessary training will enable him to manage his new restaurant supply business efficiently from home. Prioritizing user-friendly hardware and security, along with scalable cloud solutions, ensures a practical, cost-effective, and future-proof technology investment aligned with his operational goals and technical proficiency.

References

• Microsoft. (2023). Windows 10 and Windows 11 features overview. Microsoft.com.
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• Johnson, A. (2020). Security best practices for small businesses. Cyber Security Journal, 9(3), 112-119.
• Dell Technologies. (2023). Best laptops for small business. Dell.com.
• Google. (2022). Google Drive and collaboration tools. Google Support.
• TechRepublic. (2021). Wireless networking essentials. TechRepublic.com.
• Lenovo. (2023). Portable devices and accessories for business. Lenovo.com.
• Coursera. (2023). Business computing and software training courses. Coursera.org.
• McAfee. (2022). Small business cybersecurity solutions. McAfee.com.