COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROPOSAL

FORWARD FAST WEB DEVELOPMENTS BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND DECISION MAKING AMONG PROJECT TEAMS

GROUP 3 MR. LEHTO MS. A. JOHNSON MS. L. JOHNSON MS. MARTIN MS. MAGYAR LIS3021-03 COMMUNICATION FOR INFORMATION PROFESSIONALS FALL 2011

MR. MILAS AND DR. MORI

PROPOSAL
FORWARD FAST WEB DEVELOPMENT S BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND DECISION MAKING AMONG PROJECT TEAMS

BRIEF SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This report will discuss the plan for the improvement of Forward Fast Web Developments information and communication structure. Our team has created a coherent and complete proposal that incorporates the best technology, hardware, software, and training available. The work in this proposal is highly specialized for Forward Fast Web Developments needs, and as such, all figures and chosen products are approximated. Following careful research and analysis, we found that the technology infrastructure of the company needed improvement. A prime example would be the need for hardware such as laptops created to enhance business software, and dedicated servers for file sharing became an imperative. The goal of this proposal is to provide Fast Forward Web Development with the tools needed for growth and continued sustainability as a technology firm.

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

The possible technological solutions that will improve communication and collaboration among employees of Fast Forward Web Development have been thoroughly examined. The findings of our report will allow employees to better work together within project teams and allow them to stay connected while away from the office. This report explores the best solutions to increase employee productivity and ultimately increase company profits. The two owners of Fast Forward Web Development have authorized our team to research and report our findings during the fall of November 2011. The employees of Fast Forward Web Development need to better communicate in groups to complete work assignments. Employees need upgraded web development software, the ability to easily share file updates, and/or be able to simultaneously collaborate on projects. All employees working out of the office do not currently have access to cell phones or company computers, so being away from the office can significantly limit their productivity. If employees work out of the

office from their personal computers, they do not have access to work files, and threats to security could become an issue. We are focused on providing Fast Forward Web Development with upgraded web development and collaboration tools, and providing them with the proper hardware to utilize these tools in or out of the office. Since employees work in private offices, they need to be able to communicate effectively from their desks. Employees will benefit from upgraded web development software and could communicate with a video conferencing program to quickly interact with single or multiple teammates, without leaving their desks. While out of the office, employees need laptops and cell phones to keep them up to speed with their co-workers at the office. Video conferencing programs are also very beneficial to staying in touch. We also can provide Fast Forward Web Development with a file server to share company documents in a secure environment. Ultimately, the communication problems Fast Forward Web Development is experiencing can be eradicated with the solutions we plan to implement.

FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS

The main method of information collection was online research. After knowing our goals and stating our recommendations for Forward Fast Web Development, the next step was finding the hardware and software that best suited the companys needs for advancement. Our findings are based upon the general statement and needs of the company and our own knowledge as IT professionals. The hardware and software chosen reflects the best in industry standards currently, and are highly recommended. HARDWARE LAPTOPS The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Tablet is our top choice for Forward Fasts laptops for traveling employees. Individually priced at $1,054.00 with customized specs, warranty and software that will be discussed in the analysis. The Dell Vostro 3350 is our second choice as a company laptop. Individually priced a little less than the Lenovo at $928.00 with customized specs, warranty, and software that will be discussed in the analysis. DESKTOPS Lenovo ThinkStation E30 priced just under $1,200 is our top choice for desktops in each office. Price includes monitor, keyboard, and customized software and specs. Lenovo ThinkCentre M91p SFF is our second option. Priced a little more expensive than the ThinkStation E30 at $1,604.99 with monitor, keyboard, software and specs customized. CELL PHONES AND PLANS

Sprint Everything Business plan with Blackberry Curve 9350 smartphone. Online special offer phone price for each employee $54.68. Monthly payment of $99.99, two year contract required. Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk and Text Unlimited plan with Droid X2. Online special offer phone price of $99.99, monthly payment of $139.99 (extra data plan included for $50.00 per month). Two year contract required.

HARDWARE ANALYSIS LAPTOPS The Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Tablet comes equipped with Windows 7 Professional operating system. It has an Intel Core i5-2520M 2.5 GHz processor, 4GB RAM (1 DIMM), a 320 GB 5400 rmp hard drive, integrated video card, and 6-CELL Lithium Ion battery. It has a 12.5 widescreeen LED display and weighs 4.15 lbs. Pre-installed productivity software will include Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010. Lenovo provides a 1 year depot warranty, although other warranties can be purchased. What makes the ThinkPad X220 unique is that it is a tablet PC, just flip the screen around and fold it down. With the capabilities of two different devices, the Lenovo proves to be powerful and ultraportable laptop and touchscreen tablet. Dell Vostro 3350 also comes installed with Windows 7 Professional, the latest operating system by Microsoft. It has a 2nd generation Intel Core i5- 2430M 2.40 GHz processor, 4GB RAM ( 2 DIMM), 320 GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive, and Intel HD Graphics 3000 video card. Pre-installed productivity software will include Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 with Adobe Acrobat X Standard. There is a 1 year basic warranty from Dell and 15 months of Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security Services. The Dell Vostro 3350 has a 13.3 LED display and 8CELL Lithium Ion battery, ultimately making it an ultraportable powerful system with impressive battery life, ideal for a traveling web designer. DESKTOPS The Lenovo ThinkStation E30 will be a reliable desktop for employees working from within the office. Pieces include the Tower 4x5 Mechanical with Intel C206 Motherboard, Lenovo Pro Full Size keyboard, optical USB mouse, and Lenovo ThinkVision 22 L2250P LCD monitor. It has an Intel Core i3-2120 3.30 GHz processor, 2GB SDRAM, 500GB SATA 3.5 7200 rpm hard drive, and integrated video and audio cards. Comes pre-installed with Windows 7 Professional, Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010, and 15 months of Norton Antivirus 2011. Lenovo provides on-site 3 year labor and parts warranty. Altogether the ThinkStation has huge storage capacity with more than enough processing speed and memory. Another Lenovo Desktop is the ThinkCentre M91p SFF. It has an Intel Core i52400 3.1 GHz processor, 4GB SDRAM (1 DIMM), 250 GB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive, and integrated Audio and Video Intel Q67. Pre-installed software includes Windows 7 Professional and Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010. A 1 year part and labor warranty is included but longer warranties may be purchased. Desktop set consists of Mechanical Package Small Form Factor 2x3, Lenovo Pro Full Size keyboard, optical USB mouse, and Lenovo ThinkVision 22 L2250P LCD monitor. The ThinkCentre has about half the memory as the ThinkStation but is just as powerful. Also, because of the Small Form Factor tower it is one of the most compact PCs in its class, taking up much less space on desks. CELL PHONES AND PLANS The Spring Everything Business Plan is the best option for small businesses. The plan includes unlimited anytime minutes, domestic long distance, roaming push-to-

talk Direct Connect and Group Connect, texting, picture, and video messaging, along with the Blackberry Internet Service- personal email. The Blackberry Curve 9350 smartphone is ideal for web browsing and email or text messaging because of the keyboard. The Verizon Wireless Nationwide Unlimited plan is moderately more expensive. The plan includes unlimited minutes, text, picture, and video messaging. However, the data plan is not unlimited. For an extra $50.00 per month a 5GB data bundle with personal email was included. More expensive data plans apply with up to 12GB limits. The Droid X2 is a powerful multi-tasking cell powered by the Android operating system, which gives the user access to the Android App Market. It has a dual-core 1GHz processor, 720p HD video capture, 4.3 qHD display, and a 8 mega pixel camera.

SOFTWARE CODING APPLICATIONS Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.5: $399.99 (with 20 full subscriptions $11,999.70) Employees can use Adobe Dreamweaver to deliver compelling websites with powerful coding tools, code hinting for custom PHP functions, jQuery, and HTML5 and CSS3 support. They will be able to design confidently using the Webkit-enabled Live View with working JavaScript right in the design window. This software also allows you to design and deliver for multiple devices at the same time with the Multiscreen Preview, that allows you to see smart phone, tablet, and PC screen designs side by side, updated in real time as you code. Notepad is a good free software, however, to become a successful company, you will need a better way to develop code. This is our number one option for your company. Netbeans IDE: Free This is a free, open-source Integrated Development Environment for software developers. All the tools needed to create professional desktop, enterprise, web, and mobile applications with the Java platform, as well as with C/C++, PHP, JavaScript and Groovy. If you wantun to stick with free software, this will be a great choice. It has everything you need to be able to develop outstanding code. Komodo Edit: Free Komodo Edit is a fast, smart, free and open-source code editor. This is also a good software if you want to keep your costs low. It works on Windows, Mac and Linux. It runs PHP, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, Perl, Tcl, XML, HTML 5, CSS 3. It has code intelligence, which means that it incorporates syntax coloring, folding, and background syntax checking and excellent auto-complete and call tips. It also allows for fast open, remote file editing, Vi keybindings, and a toolbox with shell command integration. This is all wrapped around a editor and an extension mechanism the same as FireFox web browser. This will be a great free tool for the employees to utilize VIDEO CONFERENCING APPLICATIONS

iVisit: Free This software allows employees to talk face-to-face with live video. It's perfect for holding meetings, training sessions, or presentations. This will be beneficial when employees travel out of town and need to have meetings with the entire groups or with outside members. Up to 8 participants can video conference while sharing presentations, documents, applications, browsers, and desktops. Use desktop sharing to remotely assist or collaborate with other users. They'll see what you see. Push-to-talk and hands free modes make audio calls easy. Stay connected and avoid expensive phone bills or long-distance charges by using iVisit to talk for free. Instant messaging and group chat make communication even easier. Chat one-on-one or with all meeting participants. Connect with any iVisit user on their desktop, laptop, or mobile phone. iVisit Client Server: 25 Users/Desktop $2,235/Desktop & Mobile $3,135 Another option would be the client server version of this software. You will be able to operate your own private and secure communications server. Fully administer user access and privileges for secure and efficient operation. Works with all iVisit software clients including Desktop, Mobile, and Presenter. It is secure, affordable, efficient, and versatile. It operates on Mac, windows and Linux operating systems. This is our best option for your company.

TRAINING To effectively implement the new products, training will be needed. We have broken down the training and associated costs, per each item. The existing desktops that every employee has will be updated with the current Windows 7 Business operating system, which is expected to cost $2200 for the 20 desktops. Also the desktops will get the new 2011 Microsoft Office which will cost approximately $800. Since employees already are familiar with the Microsoft product it will suffice to provide a two hour training seminar for the employees where we will show what has changed from the older version and the employees have to be aware of. Since some of the employees travel, the need to communicate with other people in the office and with potential customers will arise. Our solution to this communication issue would be the purchase of video conference software. Free software such as Skype, offers one to one video calling features for free. Comparably, there are options like Nefsis which have a monthly fee, but offer far more services. Nefsis allows the user to have multiple individuals in a video conference simultaneously. Based upon your communication needs, we recommend Nefsis over Skype. Nefsis cost is $350 per month for 5 concurrent users and $500 dollars for 10 concurrent users. Video conferencing software will only require a short demonstration of its functions and features and the training will only need to be held for those that travel and use the feature. Since not all the employees travel for business only, some of them will need to have this software on the laptops that will be provided for them. To further enhance productivity of all employees both those that travel and that work at the office we will have a option to setup a physical server at your place of business which will require both hardware and software purchases. Software to run a server will cost $750 and will require also that at

least one the employees will receive extensive training on how to manage a server. If the need for physical server is small then the other option is to purchase online storage space which would enable employees that work on the same project to share their files and also those that work on the road to work on the same files. Depending on the needs there are many options to choose from different service providers, for example OpenDrive provides 1TB of storage for $250.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Our proposal has suggestions for significant technology upgrades that will allow for Forward Fast Web Development to continue to expand and be profitable. We, as technology professionals, believe that our organization can positively impact the company and provide results that are worthwhile. We have developed a thorough plan for a new communication and information system. Furthermore, we created a training program individualized per each product and system. This should not only maximize efficiency, but should overall increase profit for Forward Fast Web Development. Under this proposal, the companys employees will be better educated in all products and will be able to provide a better service to their customers. We recommend for the software on every employees desktop to be updated in a timely and consistent manner as needed. This will include updating the operating system, office tools, software for coding, etc. Updating the software will provide the most up-to-date security features and tools that can help with the operations of your business. The improve the connectivity on your work place server will be set up or online storage place will be purchased to allow employees to work from home or on the road. Since some of your employees will need to work while traveling and other employees need to be able to work from home we suggest the purchase of laptops and cellphones for them. The initial investment for may seem quite high, but we believe it is a fiscally responsible decision for your business. Our team will ensure that this expenditure will increase not only the productivity of your company, but the growth and customer base as well. We will promptly install the new hardware and software. Training will be readily available (and is greatly recommended) for the new software, hardware, and communication structure; it is provided at no additional cost.