Case Study- Director's Request for PCs using MS Word Table, MS Access, and MS PowerPoint
Case Study - Using MS Office 2010 / 2013 / 365
Part 1: Specifications Table (MS Word)
For a review of the complete rubric used in grading this exercise, then on the title Case Study Part 1 - PC Specs (Word)- click on Show Rubrics if the rubric is not already displayed.
For the case study provided to you, create MS Word tablesthat identify and contain the hardware and software requirements to meet the director's requirements. TheMS Word document in its final form will include 6 MS Word tables. It will includea two-paragraph narrative summary that classifies the user type and identifies the PC categorythat will be recommended. The specific instructions are found in the table at the end of this file.
Students are expected to conduct external research to adequately address all aspects of the assignment requirements. It is suggested that students use a computer manufacturer's site (i.e., Apple, Dell, Toshiba) to help in identifying all the components needed to meet the director's requirements. Remember, although there are 5 computers to be purchased, you are required to configure only one, as the same onemay be purchased for all 5 employees.Any outside sources should be correctly cited in APA style at the end of the table.Students will need to include specific requirements from the case study to show why each item is being recommended.Each element listed below must be incorporated into the assignment. Omissions will result in loss of points.
Make and model and description are required, when at all possible. For example, if the solution suggested is a 32" IBM Monitor, say so.Do not just say monitor because that does not provide sufficient information for a purchase.It is not necessary, for example, to identify the make and model of a USB port.
You must also consider components that may be a part of a machine or device. For example, the System Unit table will require elements such as USB ports. The monitor and mouse are typically separate devices on a desktop, but on a laptop or tablet they are often integrated. You should identify the various forms of input and output for your computer(s) on the Hardware table, whether they are separate devices or integrated elements.
There should be sufficient detail in this case study for procurement/purchasing personnel to buy the systems. Details are crucial.
Don't focus on web references as to where the equipment can be found, although you may include your source(s). Focus on a solution to specific requirements.
Do not ‘number' requirements in your table, even though they are numbered in the "Case Study - Director's Requirements' document. In many cases there are several requirements expressed in a single numbered listing. It's important that you are clear about which requirement is addressed by a specific piece of hardware or software.
All identified hardware and software and relevant requirements must be listed in the tables. Mentioning an item or a requirement in the two paragraph narrative is perfectly ok, but it must also be in the tables.
Additional information:
You are supposed to tie back your recommended specs to all of the original requirements. Spell out the requirements that apply to your selection of hardware, etc and do so in the tables. Your customer would not appreciate having to go guess as to which requirement is being met by your items.
Suggested layout for the tables (other layouts are possible):
Four columns: Group (Input, Output, Etc), Device, Requirement; then one row for each Device. Arrange your tables so that you don't leave lots of blank rows. See the Sample Tables for suggested layouts.
Include details where it makes sense. For example:
Scanner. This isn't enough information to tell what the device is capable of. The customer wants to know how it's "tricked out". What model is it? Is it an All-In-One or standalone (why?)? How much RAM does it have? Does it have wireless capability? Can it accept camera memory cards? What resolution can it handle?
Adapter Cards. Your customer wants to create and edit high quality photos and videos. This usually means you'll need a beefed-up graphics adapter. Be prepared to answer these questions: What model is it? How much RAM does it have? Is it integrated or discrete? This means you need to understand a little about graphics cards. Integrated means it is a chip (not an actual card) that is part of the motherboard. Typically, integrated video is ok but not as powerful as discrete video cards. These are actual adapter cards that have lots more circuitry and dedicated RAM than the smaller integrated chips. So they are more powerful and better for the customer's requirements.
Monitor. While the software applications actually enable video creation and editing, the hardware enables the "high quality" requirement. You can hook up a display to the standard VGA port on the computer. However, the newer machines come with HDMI ports, which enables High Definition displays. If the recommended desktop or laptop has an HDMI port the user can get full 1080p on the video display unit. These specifications may satisfy the customer's requirement to create and edit high quality digital photos and videos.
Ports. Everybody needs ports, right? I just described an important one - HDMI. How about Ethernet, SATA, FireWire, USB (2.0 or 3.0), media cards? Think of the data transfer/exchange requirements and what kind of speeds are necessary to make them work effectively.
External Storage. The customer may want users to exchange data quickly. Are CDs or DVDs the way to go? What about USB flash memory cards? Or some kind of network storage?
Here are the specific instructions:01 Open and save an MS Word document with the following name:
"Student's Last Name Specs"
Example: Smith Specs
Set normal text to Arial, 12 point.
Create a Title Page which shows title, your first and last name, course and due date.
02 Use a footer to create page numbers for all pages except the title page.
Place the page numbers on the right side of the footer.
03 Table #1 - Create a table that identifies the manufacturer, type (desktop, laptop, tablet) and model of computer being recommended for purchase. If you are recommending a computer that is being built from components rather than purchased as a unit, indicate that in the type column. The table must be labeled "Recommended Computer."
04 Table #2 - Create a table that shows all of the required Hardware devices. The table must be labeled "Hardware Devices."User requirements are posted in the case study.
05 • Input Devices - Identify each device type, including make/model, and show which specific user requirements are met.
06 • Output Devices - Identify each device type, including make/model, and show which specific user requirements are met.
07 • Communication Devices - Identify each device type, including make/model, and show which specific user requirements are met.
08 • Storage Devices - External (including portable) storage devices and show which specific user requirements are met
09 • Other Peripheral Devices - Identify each device type, including make/model, and show which specific user requirements are met.
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10 Table #3-Create a table that shows the various required System Unit Components. The table must be labeled "System Unit Components."
11 • Processor - Include type and clock speed and state how processor type and clock speed meets the Director's specific user requirements.
12 • RAM - Include type and amount and state how RAM type and amount meets the Director's specific user requirements.
13 • Adapter Cards - Identify each type and show which specific user requirements are met.
14 • Ports - Include types, how many of each type, and show which specific user requirements are met.
15 • Storage Devices - Identify internalsystem unit storage devices, size of hard drive, and state how each storage device and the hard drive size recommended meets specific user requirements.
16 Table #4-Create a table that shows the various required Application Software. The table must be labeled "Productivity Software." Specific product names MUST be listed.
Review the user requirements to ensure that software has been selected to meet each need.
The table should have all the necessary columns, rows, and column headings to show the following:
17 • Identify types of software, recommended specific product names, and how this software meets specific user requirements.
18 Table #5-Create a table shows that the various required System Software. The table must be labeled "System Software." Include one operating system and at least three utility programs.
The table should have all the necessary columns, rows, and column headings to show the following, and each component must be tied to the computers in your Recommended Computers table:
19 • Operating System - Identify a specific operating system and version
20 • Utility Programs - Include at least 3 utility programs that do not typically come installed with the OSand state how each utility program meets specific user requirements.
21 Table # 6-Create a table that shows the required Internet connectivity and Web-hosted applications and services. The table must be labeled "Internet Connectivity & Web Services"
22 • Identify the specific ISP that should be used for Internet connectivity.
23 • Identify the specific Web services that should be used.
24 Write a brief two-paragraph narrative that categorizes the user type, identifies the category of PC (s) required, and summarizes your recommendations.
NOTE: There are 13 office requirements listed in the case study. Each one will need the appropriate hardware and software that will improve the productivity in the office. The users are the people working in the office that will be affected by the 13 requirements. The type of PC could be anything from alaptop to a server. It is essential that you connect the requirements with your recommendations.
25 Grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, and APA formatting as necessary. Points WILL be deducted if errors are found in the summary or in the tables.