Solutions for the Companys IT Needs - Essay Example

Running Header: Case studies CASE STUDY Student name: Institutional affiliation Date: Problem domain The company faces the problem of not being networked implying that the company cannot access the office from different locations neither can customers be able to access the company or its products online. Lack of network connection also means that the company cannot store the photos online. This is bearing in mind that the company has a big problem with backups since photos are stored on external USBs with backups stored sporadically on DVD-R. It is to be noted that the back-ups can get destroyed even before customers have had access to their work which would be a disappointment to the customer thus resulting in bad public image for the company. As such, the company needs to have network connection for instance in the form of modem installation. The company will also need to open a website where it can be able to better communicate with its customers and also establish an online store as a new means of backup. The website is also to serve as a means of advertising the company’s services. Another problem that the company faces is that of having old hardware that needs to be replaced. For instance, they are using a 2008 iMac. This should be replaced with the latest model that has a bigger capacity than the 2008 model (Hombauer, 2016). The old Windows XP box being used by Susan should be replaced with the latest model to reduce chances of failure. Similarly, the two year old windows desktop being used by Tony ought to be replaced. In fact, all the company computers ought to be replaced with the latest laptop models in a bid to increase mobility and hence convenience. It is to be noted that the move to event photography is expected to result in photography being handled in different locations, often interstate, and sales will be adhoc. This would require Tony to have access to the full photographic library at all times. This calls for the company to have a digital photographic library implying that all the storages need to be networked together through a wide area network. This will make it possible for Tony to access the library at any given time. The company as stated above should also consider establishing an online photographic library where all the photos will be stored with Tony and indeed company members having access to them at all times. The company also needs to buy new equipment that will enable it venture into the new field of event and concert photography. This would for instance entail acquiring new cameras that are best suited for the job. In this regard, it is assumed that the company will still continue with its current line of photography. Thus, cameras that are best suited for events and concert photography will need to be acquired. This may include for instance acquiring the latest models of Nikon say Nikon 700. Such cameras will enable the company to produce work of best quality. This will ensure that the new venture becomes a success (PPAedu, 2016). In this connection, the company would need related softwares for online photography storage, camera software and software for customer information management now that the company’s operation base will have increased with increasing but differing customer tastes and preferences. Solutions for the company’s IT needs Resulting from the problem identified above, the company will need to procure hardware, software and networking solutions as follows: Hardware All the company’s computers will need to be replaced with laptops since changing into the new field will require more movement and hence flexibility. Due to the increased amount of work, the new laptops will require a greater storage space. This is also bearing in mind that customer management softwares will still need to be installed into the computers. As such, I suggest that the company acquires. At $1,499 each, the company can be able to acquire two Asus Zen Book Pro UX501VW laptop for Jack and cherry given that they are the company’s photographers and they need a laptop with photo editing abilities. The company can then acquire two Lenovo ThinkPad T460 for the rest. It should be noted that these laptops have over 13 hour’s battery life and hence they are best suited for the new field. As stated above, the company also needs to acquire two new digital cameras for event and concert photography. In this regard, the company can acquire Nikon D700 at a cost of $2,699.95 each. The company can also budget $2000 for related hardware. Software As far as customer management is concerned, the company can install Sage CRM at a cost of $39 per month. The software is advantageous in that it will cater for other company needs including accounting and human resources in addition to customer management (Pamlaughlin, 2016). It is worth noting that the necessary customer software is sold together with the cameras and hence the company does not need to incur cost on this. As far as opening an online library is concerned, the company should open a website at a low fee of $99. However, related software especially since the company needs an online photography store will cost the company a one-time fee of $399. Networking The new field of photography will mean moving to different locations at different times. In such places, there may be no network provision. This means that the company will have to install portable network provisions in all its computers. The computers also need to be interconnected so that each user can access the other at any given time. This way, the photographic store can be accessed and updated at any given time as required. The company can also be accessed by the customers’ and can access them at any time whenever need arises. In this regard, the company will need to acquire four Netgear-N300 Wireless-N Router with DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem –black at $69.99 each. This way, the company’s networking problem will have been solved and the company will be good to venture into the events and concert photography field. References: Hombauer, M2016, 10-Must- Have Camera settings for concert photography, Retrieved on 21st April 2016, from; http://digital-photography-school.com/10-must-have-camera-settings-for-concert- photography/ PPAedu, 2016, How to set up your company to minimize taxes: Business organization basics, Retrieved on 21st April 2016, from; https://www.ppa.com/files/CourseMaterials/Business%20Organization%20Basics.pdf Pamlaughlin, 2016, Young photopreneur’s handbook, Retrieved on 21st April 2016, from; http://pamlaughlin.com/EBook%20Samples/Young%20Photopreneur-Sample1.pdf Read More