IT504 - Software, and Other Client Related Technology Decisions - IT Assignment Help

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Competency Assessment Directions

This Competency Assessment assesses the following learning competency:

IT504-3: Prepare documentation for hardware, software, and other client-related technology decisions.

Hardware and Software Decisions: The Proposal and Persuasion

Purpose

This assessment provides an opportunity to (1) present options to a client and explain the reasons for your choices, and (2) work on persuasion techniques. The required research will take you to vendor websites and primary sources for hardware and software needs. Both Word and Excel are required.

Assessment Instructions

Document 1: The Proposal

Scenario:

The CEO of Horace Bell Industries turns to you for help with a problem. The satellite office's computers are getting old and need to be replaced. This is an opportunity to focus on the individual computer purchase, which will include the hardware, operating system, main productivity suite, and antivirus software.

You have discussed the possibility of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), but the security risks are deemed too great in this particular office. While you are then tempted to custom build the computers (with various parts from different vendors), the CEO is insistent on "all-in-one" packages: desktop computers that have the tower, monitor, keyboard, and mouse in one purchase package.

Your task is to create a business-like proposal that compares products, features, and prices, and then provides a final recommendation. The focus is on the single computer, as the number of machines ultimately to be purchased has not yet been determined.

Research:

Since the focus is products, features, and prices, search in vendors' websites for sources. Do not use comparison websites; you must go straight to the vendor or primary source.

Write:

Cover Page

• Write a suitable descriptive title.
• Identify the client's name and your name.
• Include the date.

Starting on page 2, provide the following in the order given below.

Executive Summary

• In paragraph form, explain the purpose of the proposal and give a brief summary of your final recommendation. Required length: 50–80 words.

Hardware Recommendations

• Compare two different laptop or all-in-one desktop computers by identifying at least four (4) important features of each and placing them in a Word table.
• Under the table, provide the URLs to the vendors' pages where you found this information.
• Write a paragraph of 50–80 words to explain why one is a better choice for the client than the other. Do not do additional research for this paragraph; use your critical thinking skills.
• Then write a statement that provides the prices for the two computers.

Operating System Recommendation

• Write a paragraph of 50–80 words in which you choose an operating system for the client's computers. Justify your reasoning.
• Provide the URL to the vendor's page.
• Then write a statement that explains the cost of the operating system.

Productivity Software Recommendations

• Compare Microsoft Office to one of these open source suites: Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, OpenOffice®, or LibreOffice®. Use a Word table for this comparison and include pertinent information about word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Make sure you go to primary sources, not a comparison site, so this comparison is created by you.
• Under the table, provide the URLs to your sources.
• Write a paragraph of 50–80 words that explains which suite you have chosen for the client and why. Do not do additional research; use your critical thinking skills.
• Then write a statement that provides the prices for the two computers.

Antivirus Software Recommendation

• Compare two antivirus products. Use a Word table to show at least three (3) feature comparisons. Do not choose a free option. Make sure you go to primary sources, not a comparison site, so this comparison is created by you.
• Under the table, provide the URLs to your sources.
• Write a paragraph of 50–80 words that explains which of these you have chosen for the client and why. Do not do additional research; use your critical thinking skills.
• Then write a statement that provides the prices for the two antivirus options.

Final Recommendation

• Develop an Excel worksheet in which you show one-year costs of your computer choice, operating system, productivity suite, and antivirus software.
  • For items that incur monthly costs, show a 12-month price, with "12" being the "quantity."
  • Label all input appropriately.
  • All line totals must be calculated by formula.
  • Add the costs together via formula. Apply conditional formatting to this total cost cell, providing color if the total is more than a value you choose. (See the Reading PDF for conditional formatting information.)
  • For a clean look, turn off gridlines.

• Develop another such Excel table in which you show the costs of the other computer you used for comparison earlier in the document, the same operating system, the other productivity suite, and the other antivirus software.
  • Use the same formatting for this worksheet; the changes should be only in labeling and numeric input.
  • Time-saving hint: Once you have created the first table, copy and paste it, and then change the input to correctly identify the items and costs.

• Embed these tables in your Word document so that they are viewable without clicking. Word tables or linked Excel files are not acceptable.

• Provide a summary of your final choices and justify why they are appropriate for the client.

• Writing: Write in your own words; do not quote or copy from sources. Use formal language. First-person writing is not appropriate. As this is a workplace document and not an APA paper, provide the URLs as instructed. Do not use in-text citation or write reference entries.

• Organization/Formatting: Format this document as if for the workplace. A title on the first page is required, and may be as simple as "Desktop Proposal." Include headings and subheadings (which may be copied from the instructions above). Images are allowed on the cover page, but do not add images in the body of the document. Single-space paragraphs without first-line indentation and leave a blank line between paragraphs and sections for readability. Do not add sections. Complete the document exactly as assigned.

Document 2: Persuasion

Scenario:

The CEO of Horace Bell Industries is interested in the proposal has asked if she can call you in a few days about it – but she is currently working overseas and can only spare between 90 seconds and 2 minutes to discuss it. You have time to prepare for the phone call, so you practice your persuasive speech by writing a transcript and creating an audio file. Your plan is to "sell" your proposal in this first communication.

Write:

Prepare your transcript first, writing in full sentences. This is not a client you know well yet, so remain formal in your word choice and approach. Keep in mind the timing parameter of 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Include the following, in order:

• Introduction:
  • Start with a greeting and your name.
  • Since this is practice for a phone call, thank the client for meeting you on the phone.

• Explain your hardware recommendation. Include:
  • Give a very brief summary of your comparisons from the proposal.
  • Provide your final recommendation and reasoning for your choices.

• Conclusion:
  • Tell the client that in the next conversation, you wish to speak to her about a CRM package that may help her company and very briefly state what that kind of software does.
  • Thank the client for the phone call and opportunity to work with her.

As you write the transcript, make sure you use a persuasive tone, without including emotional content or manipulation. Make sure your transcript matches what is spoken; do not "talk off-script" or improvise. Save the transcript in a simple Word document. There is no formatting requirement except that it be readable.

Produce your audio file. The file you submit must be in mp3 format (mp4 is acceptable but video must not be included – just audio).

Other requirements

• Do not copy any of the instructions into your documents other than the headings as explained above.

Directions for Submitting Your Assessment

Name your assessment files according to this convention:

• IT504_YourLastName_Assessment3_proposal
• IT504_YourLastName_Assessment3_transcript
• IT504_YourLastName­_Assessment3_audio

Do not place these in a zip file; the dropbox will accept multiple files. Submit your completed assessment files to the Dropbox.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is an act of academic dishonesty. It violates the University Honor Code, and the offense is subject to disciplinary action. You are expected to be the sole author of your work. Use of another person's work or ideas must be accompanied by specific citations and references. Whether the action is intentional or not, it still constitutes plagiarism.

Review the checklist rubric before beginning this activity.

 

 

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