Case Study Instructions
Director’s Request for PCs
Completion of the Case Study will utilize (1) an MS Word Table,
(2) an MS Access database, and (3) an MS PowerPoint
Presentation
You will meet the Director’s requirements that are described on this page
by creating and submitting a Word Table (Part 1), an Access Database (Part
2); and a PowerPoint Presentation (Part 3). These 3 assignments are due
on separate dates. See the Course Schedule for due dates.
NOTE: the standard applications to use for these 3 assignments are those within
Microsoft Office. MS Access is available only in the Professional OFFICE package.
If you are a MAC user OR if you have absolutely no way to use a machine on
which MS Access has been loaded, you may download and use OpenOffice/Open
Libre – for the database project only. Please inform your instructor if you are
going to use Open Office for the database assignment.
Instructions for installing Open Office can be found in "Open Office – Database
Alternative for Mac OS X" under the Course Resources topic. Case Study – Director’s Requirements
Your office has outgrown its old desktop machines and is in the market for new
PCs, but would like some guidance on what to purchase. The Director wants to
ensure that the office obtains PC machines that meet the requirements stated
below. You, as an employee of this small educational company, have been
tasked to buy 5 PCs and associated equipment for the office. You only need to
determine the specifications for ONE PC, not five. The office will likely buy five of
the same computer model/configurations you propose. But remember to also
define the components needed to create a network so that the 5 computers can
communicate with each other and connect to the internet.
The Director has defined some capabilities that the PCs will need to have to
ensure optimal performance. These tasks and system needs are collectively the
office’s requirements. The requirements are as follows:
1. Create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and send and receive
email.
2. Participate in online video conferences, web courses and forums (the
Director is a part-time professor at a local university).
3. Create and edit audio and video files and share video and audio files via
emails, instant messaging, and in chat rooms via mobile devices. 4. Create small databases to manage all audio, video and photo data.
5. Take high quality digital photos and videos and download them to the PC
as well as scan and edit the photos and videos. Manipulate/edit various
image and video formats (in the relevant table, please specify at least
two image and two video formats that can be accommodated by your
solution(s)). .
6. Print documents to include photo quality color printing.
7. Manipulate pdf files, including editing pdfs, conversion from pdf to Word
and vice versa.
8. Transfer information (audio, video and photos) between PC machines.
9. Manage the Director’s schedule by using an online calendar and day
planner.
10. Utilize the internet to make online purchases, conduct banking services
and research new audio, video and photo editing methods using a
broadband service (in the relevant table, please specify service
provider).
11. Connect all required peripheral devices you deem necessary to the
system unit.
12. Protect all the PCs and all components from dirty electrical power
including under voltage (brownout or blackout) and overvoltage (power
surge or spike).
13. Manage and protect the system, data, and information while working on
the Internet including scanning all incoming emails, email attachments,
and files downloaded from Web-based sources; firewall, virus and
spyware (security) protection; and checking websites for phishing and
fraudulent activities.
Your specification must address each of the 13 items listed in the
requirements.