Computer Systems Assignment 5

Access to Computing and Information Systems
Computer Systems Assignment No 5
Computers and Networks

Outcome 11: Identify the components and benefits of a computer network in a business situation.
Outcome 12: Select appropriate methods of electronic data exchange (e.g. telephone, fibre optic cable, Internet, e-mail, satellite, microwave)

Author:	CJ Duley	Assignment checked:
Date of issue:	WC Monday 10^th April 2000	Hand in date:	WC Monday 8^th May 2000

Grading Criteria

Student:

Grade:

Range	Fail	Satisfactory	Merit	Distinction
Network configurations	Incomplete or not detailed, failing to cover the range	Covering the range of network types, relative to the scenario, but failing to relate to size, speed ease of expansion fault tolerance, standards etc .	Good attempt at defining networks with reasoned explanations of speed, fault tolerance and expandability. Relative to the scenario	Full authoritative description of networks and explanations as required for a merit. The language used indicates a full professional appreciation of the subject area. Suggestions relative to the scenario
Data flow	Shows lack of understanding	Reasonable appreciation of the likely flow of data within the organization. Relative to the scenario	Correct and relative to the scenario but lacking in supportive description	Plausible data flow, relative to the scenario. Described in authoritative terms and showing a full appreciation of any constraints.
Network benefits	Little evidence of understanding	Mainly correct with minor errors. Understands the difference / benefits between peer-to-peer and Client server networks. Network management and security. Suggested network is suitable for the the scenario	Clear, full and true descriptions of network benefits, relative to the scenario, but lacking in authority	Full, clear, relative and authoritative explanations used throughout. All detail covered.
Media	Poor descriptions or not covered	Range of media and connectors covered but not persuasive descriptions	Appreciation of the media types, and speeds, relative to the scenario but lacking in authority	Full explanations of media types, speeds and suitable usage. Relative to the scenario
Input devices	Not addressed or little attempt made	Good range of input devices suggested, relative to the scenario, but little description of any benefits accrued	Good range of input devices and descriptions of suitable areas of usage/benefits, but lacking in authority. Relative to the scenario	As before with full, authoritative description of a good range of input devices

Assignment

Sunshine Holidays WendaTravel is a medium sized tour operator with several branches in the Midland Region. The Company’s Registered Office is in Derby where a minicomputer is used for all of the company’s information processing activities. It has a number of individual travel shops situated in such places as Loughborough, Nottingham, Leicester, |Stoke, Melton Mowbray and Peterborough.

At present the computer facilities range from stand-alone PCs to workgroup linked computers.. Each branch uses a Prestel unit for checking holiday vacancies. A travel industry database called Istel Fastrak specializes in travel and holiday information as well as a gateway to other travel booking databases provided by the major tour operators. This system is extensively used by competitors. The management of WendaTravel realize that they need to update their communication systems both inter-office and with outside travel booking / information systems. The Istel Fastrak type of on-line booking system is expensive but is required to remain competitive. WendaTravel has approached Networks UK Ltd. to advise on a suitable upgrade. You are a representative for Networks UK Ltd. and have been asked to prepare a presentation on the systems available for local, wide area and Internet communications suitable for the companies needs. It is envisaged that each branch will have between 5 and 10 workstations each with a local hard disk and printing facilities. The system employed should be cheap to maintain, secure against breakdowns and easily expandable. The company would also like to expand their coverage to Internet access. You will need to explain how this system works (giving examples of current on-line sites) You are expected to explain data capture devices that could be employed in the company and the benefits of using such devices. One board member has used a terminal whilst shopping at Sainsways where the customer weighs their own greengrocery and selects the product being purchased by pressing an image to identify the purachase, the machine then calculates the cost of the purchase and produces a label with all of the details and a bar code. You will need top explain the possibility of using such a system for customers to browse holidays.

TASK
As a sales representative for Networks UK Ltd., prepare a report to the management of WendaTravel. Your report should introduce the concepts of Local and Wide Area Networks/Internet and describe the configurations which may be used. Identify any hardware requirements. Make use of diagrams to describe network layouts as well as data flows to support your report. Suggest how the networks may be used to improve communications and information processing within the company. Stress management benefits in terms of speed, accuracy, productivity and the affect upon staffing. Suggest what input devices could be used to improve operations and if the board members idea is possible (if not explain why not)

NOTES:

When writing your report you are expected to explain in a manner that allows you to show your knowledge of the subject. You should read the grading criteria in this assignment and cover the range as indicated..
You should outline how you see the organisation's operational procedures to support your network recommendations. Do not assume knowledge and explain yourself fully. Evaluate the topologies, types of networks and standards available to support your recommendations.
At a minimum you are expected to show your knowledge of network types, topologies, hardware/software requirements, media types, connectors. (catalogues are available on loan) network management and security
As this assignment also covers INPUT DEVICES ( previously assignment 4 ) you are expected to cover a range of possibilities.
A number of glossaries are available via http://www.btinternet.com/~c.j.duley . There is sufficient data to cover the major part of this module on this web site and links to other web suitable sites.