Case Study- Director’s Request for PCs using MS Word Table, MS Access, and MS PowerPoint
Case Study – Using MS Office 2010 / 2013 / 365
Please use the document “READ FIRST - Case Study Instructions – Director’s Requirements” for each of the
parts described below.
Part 1: Specifications Table (MS Word)
Use the project description HERE to complete this activity. For a review of the complete rubric used in
grading this exercise, click on the Assignments tab, 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 tables that identify and contain the hardware and software
requirements to meet the director's requirements. The MS Word document in its final form will include 6 MS Word tables.
It will include a two-paragraph narrative summary that classifies the user type and identifies the PC category that 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 one may 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 guess as
to which requirement is being met by your items.
Don't forget the components necessary for the computers to communicate with each other and connect to the
internet.
Suggested layout for the tables (other layouts are possible): Three 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. These samples can be found in the
topic labeled "Optional Tutorials-Word project" in the Readings for Week 4.
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:
Element
# Requirement Open and save an MS Word document with the following
name: Points
Allocate
d
0.2 “Student’s Last Name Specs”
Example: Smith Specs
01 Comments This is the font in normal
paragraphs. Heading and title
fonts may be a larger size.
The title must be Set normal text to Arial, 12 point. Specification for the Director
by
your name
the course
due date. Create a Title Page which shows title, your first and last
name, course name and due date. Center the title on the page 02 Use a footer to create page numbers for all pages except
the title page. 0.2 Place the page numbers in the footer section on the right
side of the page.
Take a look at the Sample Tables for ideas on how to best lay out your tables. Element
# Requirement Points
Allocate
d Comments 0.5 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.” Remember that the requirement
is to identify and configure only a
single computer. 0.1 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. Remember to include any items that might be integrated with the system you have chosen. The table should have all the
necessary columns, rows, and column headings to show the following: 05 Input Devices – Identify each device type, including
make/model, and show which specific user requirements
are met. 0.5 For example, you might include
the following information in your
table to describe one Input
Device:
Input Device – 1.2 Megapixel
video camera, model, from
xxxx supplier.
Requirements met – create
video files. Element
# Requirement Output Devices – Identify each device type, including
make/model, and show which specific user requirements
are met. 0.5 Make, model and description are
required. Communication Devices – How will the computers “talk”
to each other and connect to the internet? Identify each
device type, including make/model, and show which
specific user requirements are met.
Storage Devices – External (including portable) storage
devices and show which specific user requirements are
met 0.5 Make, model and description are
required. 0.5 Make, model and description are
required. Other Peripheral Devices – What other hardware
components are needed to complete the computers and
office system. Identify each device type, including
make/model, and show which specific user requirements
are met. 0.5 Make, model and description are
required. 07 08 10 Comments 06 09 Points
Allocate
d Table #3-Create a table that shows the various required
System Unit Components. The table must be labeled
“System Unit Components.” 0.1 Element
# Requirement Points
Allocate
d Comments The System Unit Components must reflect the type of system identified for purchase by the Hardware devices table.
The table should have all the necessary columns, rows, and column headings to show the following: Processor – Include type and clock speed and state how
processor type and clock speed meets the Director’s
specific user requirements. 0.5 Identify manufacturer – Intel,
AMD, Apple, etc. RAM – Include type and amount and state how RAM
type and amount meets the Director’s specific user
requirements. 0.3 Type and amount are sufficient. Adapter Cards – Identify each type and show which
specific user requirements are met. 0.5 Types sufficient unless an
unusual adapter card is required. Ports – Include types, how many of each type, and show
which specific user requirements are met. 0.3 Types and number are sufficient.
Be sure to include all that are
integrated with the system you
are configuring. 11 12 13 14 Element
# Requirement 15 Storage Devices – Identify internal system unit storage
devices, size of hard drive, and state how each storage
device and the hard drive size recommended meets
specific user requirements. 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. 16 Points
Allocate
d Comments 0.5 Types and sizes are sufficient.
Remember, this is internal
storage, including the hard drive. 0.1 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:
Identify types of software, recommended specific
product names, and how this software meets specific
user requirements. 2.0 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. 0.1 17 18 Be sure to include product name
and version. 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: Element
# Requirement Points
Allocate
d Operating System – Identify a specific operating system
and version 0.75 Identify company supplying the
OS (Intel, AMD, Apple, etc.).
Include version #. Identify to
which computer(s) this
component will be assigned. Utility Programs – Include at least 3 utility programs that
do not typically come installed with the OS and state
how each utility program meets specific user
requirements. 0.75 Identify utility programs that
do not come installed with the
OS. For example, choose and
include a particular security
program such as Norton or
McAfee, etc. 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” 0.1 19 20 21 Comments Review what specific user requirements related to online work or file sharing that have been included in the Director's list
of requirements.
The table should have all the necessary columns, rows, and column headings to show the following:
22 Identify the specific ISP that should be used for Internet
connectivity. 0.5 ISP type meets specific user
requirements in the case study. Element
# Requirement Points
Allocate
d Comments Identify the specific Web services that should be used. 0.5 State how the Web services that
were identified meet specific user
requirements in the case study 1.25 Two well-written, concise and
organized paragraphs not to
exceed one-half a page. 23
Write a brief two-paragraph narrative that categorizes the
user type, identifies the category of PC (s) required, and
summarizes your recommendations. 24 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 a laptop to a server. It is essential that you
connect the requirements with your recommendations. Proofread your entire file before
submitting. Grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, and APA formatting
as necessary. Points WILL be deducted if errors are found in
the summary or in the tables.
25 Place narrative after the title page but before the tables. TOTAL 0.25 12