Instructions

This week, you will submit the second project, the Desktop Migration Proposal. Using the requirements analysis your manager provided and the Internet research you conducted, submit your recommendation to the assignment folder. As you are writing your recommendation, ensure your analysis and recommendations align with your manager’s priorities and concerns.

You should carefully document any assumptions made (e.g., how you analyzed the requirement for upgrading monitors, peripherals devices, etc.).

Refer to the HFA Desktop Migration: Corporate PC Refresh Documentation for the company’s needs (requirements). Your justification should clearly indicate how you bridge the gap between the existing desktop specifications and the new machines you recommend.

How Will My Work Be Evaluated?

For this assignment, you are asked by your manager to research the replacement of 50 aging desktop machines with new laptops. Review the business needs from your manager carefully so that you fully appreciate the requirements you must address in selecting the new laptops.

For example, what is significant about the need for “multiple external monitors”? Ask yourself what it takes to connect a laptop to external monitors. What ports are included on your recommended laptop? What kind of cables are required? Can those ports/cables be used with the external monitors? Does the laptop have sufficient graphics capabilities to drive external displays and if so, how many and at what resolution? Follow this same process for all the business needs.

By documenting your choices and the overall recommendation in an effective background report, you are showing how you use your technical knowledge to convey your ideas to others in a professional setting. Your ability to express your findings using the right mix of technical detail in a business context is an important workplace skill.

The following evaluation criteria aligned to the competencies will be used to grade your assignment:

1.1.3: Present ideas in a clear, logical order appropriate to the task.

1.2.3: Explain specialized terms or concepts to facilitate audience comprehension.

1.4.3: Write concise and logical sentences in standard academic English that clarify relationships among concepts and ideas.

2.1.2: Describe the context surrounding the issue or problem.

2.3.3: Explain inferences and deductions that follow logically from the evidence provided.

10.1.3: Define the specifications of required technologies.

13.1.1: Create documentation appropriate to the stakeholder.

13.2.1: Evaluate vendor recommendations in the context of organization requirements.

This project is a three- to four-page business-oriented proposal should contain the following:

• at least one high-quality graphic
• one or more tables to present information
• at least one online configurator
• your purchase recommendations, specifications, and justification for your choice
• one to two IEEE references

Course Resource

Print

Background Information

HFA Associates User Profiles, Existing Desktop Computer Specifications, and Requirements Analysis

HFA Associates User ProfilesCommon UsersSuper Users Common users are goal- oriented and focus on what they want to accomplish. They may not understand nor care about the technology and software used but just want to type a document, send an email, or use the internet. These users need basic machines with office productivity software, a web browser, and other common programs associated with the average business machine. are goal- oriented and focus on what they want to accomplish. They may not understand nor care about the technology and software used but just want to type a document, send an email, or use the internet. These users need basic machines with office productivity software, a web browser, and other common programs associated with the average business machine.Creative users are application-oriented and have the training and experience to employ expensive purpose-built and often complex software. They are typically computer-savvy because using these complex applications requires them to know the technology at a level beyond goal-oriented users. Creatives require capable machines with better-than-average processors and memory, and a high-DPI display.Coders use the most advanced features of their computer hardware and operating systems to develop specific HFA workflows, applications, and websites. Coders are characterized by a high degree of technological competence. These users require highly specialized programming utilities and applications, and the most capable, innovative machines with multiple/fast processors, substantial amounts of memory, and multiple high-resolution displays.HFA Associates Existing Desktop Computer Specifications CommonCreatives and CodersNumber:4010Processor:Intel I3 Dual CoreIntel I5 Dual CoreMemory:4 GB8 GBGraphics:HDHD+Storage:3.5″ 7,200 RPM 500 GB HDD3.5″ 7,200 RPM 1 TB HDDApplications:Office 2013, Microsoft Internet ExplorerAdobe Illustrator, CLO Enterprise Edition, ApparelMagic Enterprise Edition, Safari

All users require the capability to add external peripheral via fast USB connections and/or the latest Bluetooth standard. Additionally, all computing devices must be physically secured against theft. You should include warranty, support, antivirus, and office/mobility accessories. Consider if external monitors are appropriate to the user profile. All users should be afforded the capability to quickly disconnect from the office environment. 

Management made a business decision to standardize on two configurations. Thus, the Creative and Coder user types will receive the same machines. You should ensure that both groups of users’ requirements are satisfied. Note: You are not required to include purchase recommendations on software applications.

HFA Associates Minimum Requirements Analysis CommonCreatives and CodersNumber:4010Processor:Intel I3 Dual CoreIntel I5 Dual CoreMemory:4 GB8 GBGraphics:HDHD+Storage:256GB SSD500GB SSD and additional storageApplications:Microsoft Office, Internet BrowsersAdobe Illustrator, CLO Enterprise Edition, ApparelMagic Enterprise Edition, Internet Browsers

Proposal Requirements

Section 1: PC Purchase Research

Using the background information above, research a PC purchase meeting all HFA Associates’ requirements at the best price:

• Purchase of 50 new PCs to replace all existing employee desktops with laptops.
• Consider external/multiple monitors.
• Consider additional peripherals via USB 3.0 and Bluetooth.
• Consider physical security mechanisms.
• Consider the capability to allow users to quickly disconnect in the office environment.

Section 2: PC Purchase Recommendation

Using an online configuration/customization tool, build out your recommended PC purchase. Use a tool from one of HFA’s three preferred vendors: 

As you formulate your recommendation, follow these general guidelines:

• Add the recommended build to a cart or quotation:
  • Ensure your configuration includes the estimated cost per machine
  • Using the vendor’s “comparison” feature can be helpful
  • Use the “build your own” or configure options 
• Build your configuration. Proceed to the shopping cart/other stage to view the result:
  • Enter “first name last name CMIT 202 xxxx Semester Year,” where xxxx is the section number and semester is the UMGC term (example: CMIT 202 6380 Spring 2021) into the coupons form area. 
  • Note: Do not click on “apply coupon” and do not submit the cart! 
• Print the pages to PDF (ensure the headers/footers are on)

In your proposal:

• Include warranty, support, antivirus, and accessories.
• Add the recommended build to a cart or quotation.
• Enter “first name last name cmit 202 xxx” where xxxx is the section number (example: 6380) into the coupons form area. Do not click on apply coupon and do not submit the cart!
• Print the pages to PDF (ensure the headers/footers are on) and upload the image to the assignment folder along with your report.
• Ensure you have included a cost estimate.