COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT

BTEC HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA
ASSIGNMENT FRONT SHEET
COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT 1

COURSE:
UNIT CODE:
LECTURE DAYS:
VENUE:
DURATION:
LECTURER:
DATE OF ISSUE:
HAND IN DATE:
NO.:
1
Computer Systems
L/601/0446
Wednesdays
Champs Fleurs
September ’13 – January ‘14
Karleen Lall
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
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RESUBMISSION
Student Name: _______________________________ Edexcel No.: _______________
Criteria
reference
To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that
the student is able to:
LO 1.1
Explain the role of computer systems in different
environments
LO 1.2
Task no.
Evidence
Page Numbers
Explain the hardware, software and peripheral
components of a computer system
Task no.
Evidence
Page Numbers
Compare different types of computer systems
LO 1.3
LO 2.1
Produce a system design specification to meet a client’s
needs
Evaluate the suitability of a system design specification
LO 2.2
Criteria
reference
To achieve the MERIT criteria the evidence must
additionally show that the student is able to:
M1
Produce a system design specification to satisfy client’s
needs
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BTEC HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA
ASSIGNMENT FRONT SHEET
COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT 1
Criteria
reference
To achieve the DISTINCTION criteria the evidence
must show that the student is able to:
Task no.
Evidence
Page Numbers
Create a case to increase budgetary allocation for
personal computers
D1
Learner Declaration
I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research
sources are fully acknowledged. Learner signature:
Date:
Assignment Checklist
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COVER PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES
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BTEC HND in COMPUTING AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
UNIT 2: COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT BRIEF #1
Assignment: Case Study
Trinbago Printing Company (TPC) is a medium sized Newspaper business. It is family owned with an 18 year heritage of newspaper publishing. As with most successful businesses, growth and expansion are necessary to adequately meet the growing customers’ demands. TPC is a single source solution, from pre-press to printing, bindery, and mailing.
While the company’s machinery has been functioning at an acceptable standard, the ICT Manager is of the view that the organization should invest in some up-to-date technology re: personal computers. The rationale for same is to prevent untimely breakdown, unpredictable repairs and at the same time keep abreast with the new and available technology which currently exists. Additionally, the company prides itself in quality service and as such demands a high level of reliability from all machinery, equipment and PCs. It is also well imagined that, for a company to have grown most
successfully, management would have adopted a range of options to exploit different circumstances. The technical working team includes the following:•
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Ten Reporters (Editorial Department)
The reporters are responsible for general, business, sports, and lifestyle reporting. They are assigned to all sections of the newspaper, gathering information about events and subjects that the newspaper editors choose to cover. They document their findings on a personal computer using word processing software (e.g. Microsoft Word). Due to the nature of their work they are often mobile and require access to computing resources as they gather information on the move.
Six Copy Editors (Editorial Department)
The copy editors are specially trained to read the stories that others have written to ensure that the grammar and style are appropriate. They read the stories electronically, via their PCs, using a variety of software (e.g. PDF, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Image Viewer, etc.). Additionally, they need a reliable and secure internet access to assist with any research required. This group of employees prefers to work in tranquility and not be disturbed or distracted unnecessarily. Five Photo Editors / Photographers (Arts Department)
The photo editors / photographers are responsible for taking photographs of news events while the photo editor selects the news event photos that the newspaper ultimately prints. Often times, a single individual can be both photo editor and photographer while working on news items. These employees work from HD Cameras which connect to a PC via fire-wire, USB, eSATA or media card readers. Seldom would the photo editors use photo enhancement software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, CorelDraw, etc.) to “touch-up” the photos
taken.
Three Graphic Editors / Graphic Reporters (Arts Department)
The graphic editors / graphic reporters are responsible for the research and designs of informational graphics that support the news stories to be published. Their expertise is in graphic forms, and is responsible for locating information that can be used to build graphics. They layout and design all essentials in the newspapers daily as well as perform video rendering and publishing of news footage, for external agencies. Even though they have the most powerful PCs in the organisation to date, they are unable to continuously deliver the highest quality due to PC breakdowns and glitches. Their systems 1
BTEC HND in COMPUTING AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
UNIT 2: COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT BRIEF #1
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utilise the following applications: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, PageMaker, Quark Xpress, Premiere, and After Effects. These applications are usually open and in use at the same time. One Publisher / Chief Editor (Management)
The Publisher/Chief Editor is responsible for all the operations of the newspaper, both editorial and business. Given that the company is medium sized; the publisher also serves as the chief editor, who is responsible for all of the editorial content of the newspaper.
Indeed, upgrading the fixed assets of the business will lend to increased flexibility and productivity in operations. It is therefore necessary to embrace the suggestions and recommendations that will appropriately facilitate further growth of Trinbago Printing Company.
You are hired as a Technical Consultant to assist both the ICT Manager and the Chief Editor with some decision making regarding the upgrades.
Task Guide
Your submission should include the following sections:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
Cover Page (Course Name, Assignment Brief Number, Student Name, Student Edexcel No, etc.), Table of Contents,
Technical Guidance (Sub divided by Task 1 through Task 5)
References (Online or Text resources used within the submission)
Task 1
The Chief Editor and the ICT Manager is of the view that the Editorial Department plays a critical role in the production of the daily newspapers, and as such requires design specifications to support the department’s growing needs.
1. You are required to create design specification(s) to support the Editorial Department with a budget restriction of $4,000.TTD per machine.
Note:
o You should define the criteria/rationale used to derive the specification(s). o The specifications must include all essential, relevant peripheral devices. o Prices of components and an overall price should be clearly documented. [This task tests Learning Outcomes: LO2-2.1]
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BTEC HND in COMPUTING AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
UNIT 2: COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT BRIEF #1
Task 2
The Chief Editor being very pleased with your design specification for the Editorial Department suggested that the same design be used for the Arts Department as well. The ICT Manager believes that the Art Department’s
design specification(s) be different. As an independent person, they would like to hear your opinion on this. 2. You are simply required to explain, and compare the role of the computer system in both environments, namely, Editorial Department, and Arts Department.
[This task tests Learning Outcomes: LO1-1.1 and LO1-1.3]
Task 3
One of the Graphic Artists, being aware of the upgrades, provided a system design specification to be considered for the collective Graphic Artist Staff (see Appendix A). The ICT Manager would like a second opinion on the design specification, before determining whether it should be used or not. 3. Evaluate the suitability of the system design specification for the Graphic Artist Staff. You may feel free to make reference to better specifications if some or all of the provided specifications are inadequate for the collective Graphic Artist Staff. Be sure to justify your decision. [This task tests Learning Outcomes: LO2-2.2]
Task 4
The Chief Editor recently purchased a new web camera and printer for his desktop. Upon connecting these peripheral devices to the PC, the devices failed to work. The Chief Editor thought that the devices were faulty, not realizing the importance of installing the drivers, or supporting software. 4. You are required to educate the Chief Editor, by explaining the hardware (PC), software (OS, Drivers, etc.) and peripheral components (web camera, printer, etc.) of the computer system, and how they work together.
[This task tests Learning Outcomes: LO1-1.2]
Task 5
The ICT Manager wants to convince the Chief Editor to increase the budgetary allocation for the Art Department to $12,000.TTD (per PC). He therefore requires solid justification, and specifications to support this huge increase in cost.
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BTEC HND in COMPUTING AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
UNIT 2: COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT BRIEF #1
5. You are required to develop a solid and strong case to increase the budgetary allocation for PCs from $6,000. TTD to $12,000. TTD (per PC).
[Successful completion of this task would allow you to earn the D1 (Distinction 1) criteria. Refer to the Front Sheet for further details]
6. You are also required to propose new system specification design(s) to support the Arts Department. Note:
a. You should define the criteria/rationale used to derive the specification(s). b. The specifications must include all essential, relevant peripheral devices. c. Prices of components and an overall price should be clearly documented. [Successful completion of this task would allow you to earn the M1 (Merit 1) criteria. Refer to the Front Sheet for further details]
[This task tests Criteria : M1 and D1]
Guidance notes
a) This Assignment Brief has been issued on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. b) This assignment should be attempted and completed individually. c) Submit to your Course Administrator for the HND in Computing and Systems Development at your relevant Campus, a hardcopy of all Assignment Brief tasks. Please do not forget to attach the completed front sheet.
d) Submit a softcopy via Turnitin.
e) Please note BOTH hardcopy and softcopy submissions must be received no later than 5:30 on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. You will receive confirmation for all successful submissions.
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BTEC HND in COMPUTING AND SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
UNIT 2: COMPUTER SYSTEMS ASSIGNMENT BRIEF #1
APPENDIX A – Sample System Design Specification
Component
Product
Case
Antec NSK-4482 Mid-Tower Case
Power Supply
Antec EarthWatts 380W (bundled)
Motherboard
ASRock K10N78M-PRO
Processor
AMD Athlon II X2 240
CPU Cooler
(Bundled)
Memory
Crucial CT2KIT12864AA667 2GB Kit (1GB x 2)
Video Adapter
(Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 8200)
Hard Disk Drive
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS (500GB)
Optical Drive
ASUS DRW-24B1ST DVD Writer
Keyboard and Mouse
Logitech Deluxe 250 Desktop
Speakers
Logitech LS11
Display
HANNS.G 17″ LCD (8ms) – HW173ABB
END OF ASSIGNMENT
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