Reference no: EM133298538

Scenario: Clarice Tucker is the owner of Clarice's Clowder, a cat rescue group that has just built a small shelter facility. Now that she is working away from home at the facility, Tucker knows she can no longer rely on her personal laptop to keep records. The current idea is to purchase some computers for the incoming shelter staff as they expand operations and help homeless felines in her area.

You have discussed the possibility of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), but the security and other risks are deemed unacceptable. While you are tempted to custom-build the computers (with various parts from different vendors), Tucker is insistent on "all-in-one" packages. This means your choices are either laptops or desktop computers that have the tower, monitor, keyboard, and mouse in one package/sales deal.

Your task, then, is to create a business-like proposal that compares hardware and software products, features, and prices, and then provides a final recommendation. The focus is on the single computer, as the number of machines ultimately to be purchased has not yet been determined.

Research:

Since the focus is products, features, and prices, search in vendors' websites for sources. Do not use comparison websites; you must go straight to the vendor or primary source. If you are unsure that your source choices are appropriate, contact your professor well before the deadline assistance.

In paragraph form, explain the purpose of the proposal and give a brief summary of your final recommendation. Refer to the client either by full name or Ms. Tucker. Required length: 50-80 words.
Hardware Recommendations

Compare two different laptops or all-in-one desktop computers by identifying at least four (4) important features (not costs) of each and placing them in a Word table.
Under the Word table, provide the costs for each and the URLs to the vendors' pages where you find this information.
a paragraph to explain why one is a better choice for the client than the other. Do not do additional research for this paragraph; use your critical thinking skills.
Operating System Recommendation

a paragraph in which you choose an operating system for the client's computers. Justify your reasoning.
Under the paragraph, provide the URL to the vendor's page along with the cost.
Productivity Software Recommendations

Compare Microsoft Office to one of these open-source suites: Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, OpenOffice®, or LibreOffice®. Use a Word table for this comparison and include pertinent information about word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Make sure you go to primary sources, not a comparison site, so this comparison is created by you.
Under the Word table, provide the costs for each and the URLs to the vendors' pages where you find this information.
a paragraph that explains which suite you have chosen for the client and why. Do not do additional research; use your critical thinking skills.
Antivirus Software Recommendation

Compare two antivirus products. Use a Word table to show at least three (3) feature comparisons. Do not choose a free option. Make sure you go to primary sources, not a comparison site, so this comparison is created by you.
Under the Word table, provide the costs for each and the URLs to the vendors' pages where you find this information.
a paragraph that explains which of these you have chosen for the client and why. Do not do additional research; use your critical thinking skills.
Final Recommendation

Question 1: Develop an Excel worksheet in which you show one-year costs of your computer choice, operating system, productivity suite, and antivirus software. An example is shown in this unit's Reading PDF.
For items that incur monthly costs, show a 12-month price, with "12" being the "quantity."
Label all input appropriately.
All line totals must be calculated by formula.
Add the costs together via formula. Apply conditional formatting to this total cost cell, providing color if the total is more than a value you choose.
Question 2: Develop another such Excel table in which you show the costs of the other computer you used for comparison earlier in the document, the same operating system, the other productivity suite, and the other antivirus software