Milestone Challenge Solution - Case Study Example

Milestone Challenge Solution Introduction Today, it will be very difficult to argue the fact that technology is the pivot, on which global development revolves. There are many who believe that what has accounted for the present success of technology in controlling the global paradigm shift has to do with the fact that technology keep advancing and that each stage of an advancement is directed towards improving the previous stage. It is for the sake of such rapid changing nature of today’s technology that it has come to be known as emerging technology. So when we say emerging technology, we are not trying to imply that technology is now setting off but that of the one that exists, there is always an emerging one that is building on the existing one in terms of quality and power (Mohammed and Le-Ngoc, 2004). One other characteristic feature of today’s technology, which has been tagged as emerging technology is that it focuses mainly on problem solving to make various endeavours of human existence easier. New companies are therefore in an excellent position to take advantage of the problem solving phenomenon associated with emerging technology. The same level of opportunity also exists for existing companies who want to experience major milestones in their operations and activities. Given the present case under discussion, it can be seen that the company wants to create a system whereby there will be different technological provisions specially created to cater for the needs of individual employees. This is a step in the right direction because even though it takes the collective successes of all employees to amount to the overall success of the company, each employee needs to work in an environment that promotes the utilisation of individual brilliance, skill and expertise. There shall therefore be a solution to the need of the company whereby individual information technology system shall be created to cater for the individual needs of employees but at the same time there will be a centralised processing mechanism to regularise the collective functions of employees. Mobile Office Technology Proposal Employee / Setting Hardware requirement Software requirements Connectivity requirements Subtotal Specific Justifications Travelling Journalist Digitized camera, Laptop, tablet computer, smart phone Windows 7 Operating System, Microsoft Office 3G, Wireless card, USB modem AUD$2,500 For the work of the traveling journalist, it is important to include a digitized camera due to the fact that there may be several passing moments that would need to be captured unto the device for onward and future processing. The tablet computer would also ensure accessibility to information, especially at places where it will not be convenient to operate larger machines like laptop and desktop computers. The USB modem is also regarded as highly useful and appropriate for use in the laptop and tablet computer for gaining access to the internet. Regional Editor Laptop computer, smart phone, desktop computer Windows 7, Photoshop, Corel Draw, PageMaker Wireless card, USB modem, 3G AUD$2,500 In the case of the editor, a desktop computer is highly appropriate as he would not be undertaking a lot of mobile duties. Moreover, the desktop and laptop computers are preferred to tablet PC as he will be undertaking several large scale editing of pictures and videos, which will not be appropriate to use the tablet PC for. The Corel Draw and Photoshop software will be two important software for editing films and pictures. Business Development Manager Desktop computer, laptop, tablet PC Windows 7, PageMaker, Corel Draw Wireless card, USB modem AUD$2,500 Just as the regional editor, the also Business Development Manager needs Corel Draw and PageMaker to undertake editing of films and videos. Three types of computers are suggested here and they are exclusively necessary for testing the outcome of final works on desktop computer, tablet computer and laptop computers: as a way of meeting the visual resolutions of as many users as possible. Main Office Conference Room Updates Laptop computer, large surface screen, PowerPoint projectors Windows 7 Operating System, Microsoft Office USB modem, Wireless card AUD$1,500 Ta large surface screen is mentioned for the main office conference room because a lot of group presentation will take place there and it is important that all people present have clearer access to whatever will be going on. The laptop mentioned will be used for simultaneous networking of information while meetings go on. Main Office Networking, Printing and File sharing Updates Browsing routers, Ethernet hub Desktop computer, laptop computer, printer, Windows 7 Operating System, Microsoft Office, Network Card Wireless card, USB modem, 32-port LAN Hub AUD$ 2,000 Without any doubt, the main office networking, printing and file sharing office needs the largest set of networking system as all individual systems will be centralized from this point. It is in light of this that it is recommended that there should be the presence of not just wireless network system but a LAN network systems as well. Network Setup The network setup shall have the attributes of individuality and group coordination at the same time. What this means is that apart from the central network office, no individual employee shall have or gain access to the other employee’s network domains without prior permission from the host employee. For this reason, though all devices shall be connected in a network and among all employees, it is only at the centralised office where data sharing can take place (The VINT Project, n.d). This however does not mean that it will not be possible to share data across domains. Data sharing shall be possible if permitted by individual employees. The key idea here would therefore be collaboration and independence. Giving the information and communication tasks of individual employees, there is no debating the fact that wireless broadband would be the most preferred network connection type to use. The merit with wireless broadband connection is that the use of wires will be eliminated and so there is sure to be as much preserved space and freedom as possible (Mitchell, 2004). Mobile restrictions within the network catchment area shall also be catered for. Even more, the wireless broadband connection guarantees an on-the-go access to the internet because connection will be very simple and uncomplicated. Cable connections, cable breakages and cable failures shall all be catered for. Considering that the milestone takes into consideration the need to have an individualised system for each employee, the ultimate burden is that there will be so many devices to deal with. In such a situation, wireless connection is most desired because it would not call for extra equipment when setting it up. This not withstanding, a couple of provisions can be made to ensure that there is some access given to LAN connection along side the wireless connection so that the LAN would serve as a cover up for the weaknesses and shortfalls of the wireless connection. For example there may still remain some devices in the office such as printers that will not work on wireless connections. The combined connectivity will give off a network setup such as the one in the diagram below Source: Mitchell (2012) Emerging Technology The current network system and the whole milestone project embrace the provisions and ideologies of emerging technology with specific emphasis on Microsoft Web Apps to make the storage and transfer of data easier and accessible. As it has been outlined earlier, emerging technology basically deals with the phenomenon whereby new technologies are developed on the platforms of modernity and advancement to replace an existing technology (Malian State University, 2011). The very first indication that this gives is that in the whole set up that is being constructed, no technology that belongs to the passing generation of faded and restricted usability shall be used. Rather, room shall be created for innovation and advancement that is backed by upmost security. It is in line of this generalised conception that the set up that is being developed embraces the use of sophisticated technology tools such as laptops, wireless connectivity, tablet computers, Smartphone among others. With reference to emerging technology and the information and communication tools to be used by various employees, an outstanding factor is that the duties of most of the employees demand that the get information on the go and outside their offices. For this reason, portability will be an important issue in meeting their responsibilities. Happily, emerging technology caters for this provision squarely because almost all the devices that would accompany the new era are portable devices that can be carried everywhere without any inhabitations. Another criteria area of emerging technology is in the area of access to information through the use of the internet. Without the internet, technology is said to be static and lifeless. The internet however comes with a new era of connectivity whereby the whole world is seen as a simple platform that can be manipulated everywhere and whenever. Interestingly, duties of the employees noted in this company demand that they use the internet every now and then to gather current and updated information and use the same medium to distribute the information. So in this sense also, emerging technology comes in at a perfect time to meet the demands of the company. Apart from the internet, emerging technology makes general distribution of information through text messages, phone calls, MMS and emails possible. Employees would therefore not need to travel longer distances before meeting colleague employees to share or discuss found information. Given the functionality of the Microsoft Web Apps, the retrieval of stored documents, editing of stored documents and processing of stored documents would all be made possible without the need to travel or be present in person. The company is therefore certainly placed in a position where it would now be recording improved rate of output of work because traditional issues like vehicular traffic, breakdown of vehicles, sickness, lateness and other traditional limitations would no longer become basis for which work will be grounded to halt. On a larger competitive basis, it can confidently be argued that the selected emerging technology for the company would be an avenue for creating a competitive advantage for the company. It is said that no company operates in a vacuum. This means that there are internal and external factors that go on in every organisation that affects other companies. For example, most companies who fall under the same industry with the present company would be competition for the same set of customers. Essentially, the present company needs a special driving force that would make it a preferred destination as against opposing companies. It is in such sense that the issue of competitive advantage comes in. Clearly, the emerging technology is going to create an era where clients and customers are going to have access to services more quickly and reliably. The added advantage of technology, which deals with efficiency and effectiveness, would also be translated into the service delivery of the company and in effect, in the general improvement of services to customers and clients. As the company scores all these client related points, its competitive advantage on the larger market will be consolidated (Maclain, 2009). The same applies to the current place of the company on the market. The company will be presented with a very fine opportunity to cement its place on the market as an industry leader who delivers on specific principles of effectiveness and efficiency. As the merits of the emerging technology are discussed, it is important to give a critical attention to all forms of possible setbacks. One of the first of such setbacks has to do with the issue of internet and software security. For the suggested emerging technology, a lot has been said to depend on the use of the internet. Meanwhile as the days go by, the internet keeps becoming more and more unsecure because of activities of hackers and hijackers. These technological pirates pose a high level of threat to the success of the company as there could be the tendency that key information of the company may fall into wrong hands (Kalian, 2009). But even in the midst of such threat, the company is only presented with the challenge of putting in extra effort in securing its database. In situations where hijackers publish their sources before the company; and especially in a situation where the company is not aware of such theft, the company would have to spend several days in court going through the legal system to proof its innocence. It is for such setbacks that it is suggested for the company to embark on preventive approach to security issues by ensuring that there are strict provisions that makes invasion of data almost impossible. In conclusion, the company is empowered to go for the emerging technology that is based on the principle of individuality and independence of operation whiles ensuring a centralised monitoring system. This is because the system would work best in shaping the refined talents of each and every employee on the payroll of the company and ensure that the company indeed gets value for money in all of its information system investment; especially those that are based on the Microsoft Web Apps. REFERENCE LIST Kalian R. (2009). Performance Comparison of DAMA MAC Schemes over Satellite Networks. Accessed August 30, 2012 from http://www.cse.iitb.ac.in/~sri/students/kalyan-thesis.pdf Maclain T. R (2009). Emerging Technology and Its Advancement. Press Free Limited: London Malian State University (2011). Information and Communication Handbook. University Press: Bamako Mitchell B. (2012). Hybrid Ethernet Router / Wireless Access Point Network Diagram. Accessed July 26, 2012 from http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/ig/Home-Network-Diagrams/Hybrid-Network-Diagram.htm Mitchell, P.D. Grace, D. and Tozer, T.C. Burst targeted demand assignment multiple access for broadband Internet service delivery over geostationary satellite, Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE Journal on , Volume: 22 , Issue: 3 , Pages:546 - 558 April 2004. Mohammed J.I and Le-Ngoc, T. Performance analysis of combined free/demand assignment multiple access (CFDAMA) protocol for packet satellite communications, IEEE International Conference on , 1-5 May 2004, Pages:869 - 873 vol.2 The VINT project, NS-2 notes and documentation, editors: Kevin Fall and Kannan Varadhan, http://www.isi.edu/nsnam/ns. Read More