Directions
The manager at James Otis Tax Associates has asked you to submit a report describing the technology hardware and software needed to build a computer network for the new office. The manager has asked you to describe the computer system for each new employee, including an explanation of the purpose for each selected technology component, and to identify specific software programs that the employees would need. He has also asked you to describe the security measures needed to support the systems. In your explanation, include how your knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI) impacted your choices for each component.
The manager has provided the following employee descriptions:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA): The CPA is a senior position at a tax preparation company. The CPA will be not only handling sensitive customer data from personal tax returns but also preparing tax returns for corporate clients. The CPA is also responsible for the personal tax returns filled out by the tax and data-entry specialist employees.
- Tax Specialist: The tax specialist has the dual role of entering data and verifying that tax returns are correct. This position involves customer interaction in gathering data for minimizing taxes owed or maximizing tax refunds.
- Data-Entry Specialist: This position requires data entry for personal tax returns for customers who walk in the door. Although the data-entry specialist works with sensitive customer data, they do not have access to the tax returns once the returns are submitted to the tax specialist for review.
For each employee, you must:
- Describe all hardware components, including peripherals, needed to create the systems
- Identify specific software programs (more than one) that would be beneficial to each identified employee. Programs could include:
- Operating systems
- Applications such as:
- Office automation products
- Security products
- Describe security measures needed to support this system. Security measures could focus on:
- Access
- Administration and user passwords
- Firewalls
Along with each description, explain the purpose of each technology component in each system. In your explanation, include how your knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI) impacted your choices for components.
Finally, choose a network topology that could be used to connect all of the new employees identified by the manager. Create a Visio diagram to identify the networking equipment needed to enable the workflow between the employees.
1/20/2021 Project One: Technology, Hardware, and Software Guidelines and Rubric – IT-200-X3303 Fundamentals Info Technology 21EW3
https://learn.snhu.edu/d2l/le/content/634630/viewContent/11663800/View 1/5
Competency
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:
Describe the technologies, hardware, and software used within the information technology field
Scenario
You are working as a contracted information technology specialist. You have been contacted by James Otis Tax Associates, a small tax preparation company. The company is growing
rapidly and is opening a new office. They are focused on hiring and retaining the best in the field, and they believe that one way to do this is to provide every employee with the
appropriate tools and technology they need to effectively complete their work. Your company has been asked to provide its expertise in identifying the technology components needed
for the computer systems and network for the three employees in the new office. They would also like you to address the security needs of the various employees.
com%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsent?customerid=9568&lang=en_us&readid=d2l_read_element&url=https%3A%2F%2Flearn.snhu.edu%2Fcontent%2Fenforced%2F634630-IT-200-X3303-OL-TRAD-UG.21EW3%2FProject%2520One%2520Technology%2C%2520Hardware%2C%2520and%2520Software%2520Guidelines%2520and%2520Rubric.html”>https://learn.snhu.edu/content/enforced/634630-IT-200-X3303-OL-TRAD-UG.21EW3/https%3A%2F%2Fapp.readspeaker.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Frsent?customerid=9568&lang=en_us&readid=d2l_read_element&url=https%3A%2F%2Flearn.snhu.edu%2Fcontent%2Fenforced%2F634630-IT-200-X3303-OL-TRAD-UG.21EW3%2FProject%2520One%2520Technology%2C%2520Hardware%2C%2520and%2520Software%2520Guidelines%2520and%2520Rubric.html
1/20/2021 Project One: Technology, Hardware, and Software Guidelines and Rubric – IT-200-X3303 Fundamentals Info Technology 21EW3
https://learn.snhu.edu/d2l/le/content/634630/viewContent/11663800/View 2/5
Direc�ons
The manager at James Otis Tax Associates has asked you to submit a report describing the technology hardware and software needed to build a computer network for the new office. The
manager has asked you to describe the computer system for each new employee, including an explanation of the purpose for each selected technology component, and to identify specific
software programs that the employees would need. He has also asked you to describe the security measures needed to support the systems. In your explanation, include how your
knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI) impacted your choices for each component.
The manager has provided the following employee descriptions:
Cer�fied Public Accountant (CPA): The CPA is a senior position at a tax preparation company. The CPA will be not only handling sensitive customer data from personal tax returns
but also preparing tax returns for corporate clients. The CPA is also responsible for the personal tax returns filled out by the tax and data-entry specialist employees.
Tax Specialist: The tax specialist has the dual role of entering data and verifying that tax returns are correct. This position involves customer interaction in gathering data for
minimizing taxes owed or maximizing tax refunds.
1/20/2021 Project One: Technology, Hardware, and Software Guidelines and Rubric – IT-200-X3303 Fundamentals Info Technology 21EW3
https://learn.snhu.edu/d2l/le/content/634630/viewContent/11663800/View 3/5
Data-Entry Specialist: This position requires data entry for personal tax returns for customers who walk in the door. Although the data-entry specialist works with sensitive
customer data, they do not have access to the tax returns once the returns are submitted to the tax specialist for review.
For each employee, you must:
Describe all hardware components, including peripherals, needed to create the systems
Iden�fy specific so�ware programs (more than one) that would be beneficial to each iden�fied employee. Programs could include:
Operating systems
Applications such as:
Office automation products
Security products
Describe security measures needed to support this system. Security measures could focus on:
Access
Administration and user passwords
Firewalls
Along with each description, explain the purpose of each technology component in each system. In your explanation, include how your knowledge of human-computer interac�on
(HCI) impacted your choices for components.
Finally, choose a network topology that could be used to connect all of the new employees identified by the manager. Create a Visio diagram to iden�fy the networking equipment
needed to enable the workflow between the employees.
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit the following:
Technology Needs Report
Your technology needs report should be 3–5 pages in length. For each of the new employees, you must describe all hardware components needed to create the system, identify specific
software programs that the employees would need, and describe security measures needed to support the systems. Along with each description, explain the purpose of each technology
component in each system. In your explanation, include how your knowledge of human-computer interaction (HCI) impacted your choices for each component.
Network Diagram
You have also been asked to include a visual representation of the topology you selected and the network equipment needed to support interactions between these employees. Use Visio
to create a 1-page (or 1-slide) diagram that identifies the networking equipment needed to enable the workflow between these employees.
Suppor�ng Materials
Technology Needs Template Word Document
This template can be used as a note-taking or organizational tool. You may submit it along with your report and diagram, but it is not a requirement and it will not be graded.
Project One Rubric
Criteria Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Valuehttps://learn.snhu.edu/content/enforced/634630-IT-200-X3303-OL-TRAD-UG.21EW3/course_documents/Technology%20Needs%20Template.docx?_&d2lSessionVal=AU8JwmKKB31U5wwDZXaCj0TXD&ou=634630
1/20/2021 Project One: Technology, Hardware, and Software Guidelines and Rubric – IT-200-X3303 Fundamentals Info Technology 21EW3
https://learn.snhu.edu/d2l/le/content/634630/viewContent/11663800/View 4/5
Criteria Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Hardware Components Exceeds proficiency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Describes all hardware
components, including
peripherals, needed to create
each system
Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
misestimating level of
equipment needed to fit the
needs of the system or missing
key hardware components
Does not attempt criterion 15
So�ware Exceeds proficiency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Identifies specific software
programs that would be
beneficial to each employee
Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
recommending software with
insufficient functionality or
outside of the norms for
budget and purpose
Does not attempt criterion 15
Security Exceeds proficiency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Describes security measures
needed to support each
system
Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
thoroughness in descriptions
and security
recommendations
Does not attempt criterion 15
Component Purpose Exceeds proficiency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Explains the purpose of each
technology component in each
system
Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
thoroughness in explanations
addressing each component
Does not attempt criterion 15
1/20/2021 Project One: Technology, Hardware, and Software Guidelines and Rubric – IT-200-X3303 Fundamentals Info Technology 21EW3
https://learn.snhu.edu/d2l/le/content/634630/viewContent/11663800/View 5/5
Criteria Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value
Human-Computer
Interac�on
Exceeds proficiency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Explains how knowledge of
human-computer interaction
(HCI) impacted choices for
components
Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
thoroughness in explanations
addressing each component
and correct use of human-
computer interaction concepts
throughout the explanation
Does not attempt criterion 15
Network Components Exceeds proficiency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Identifies all equipment
needed to create a functioning
network for the employees
Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may include
ensuring the size and scope of
the equipment match the
needs of the network and
addressing all key hardware
components
Does not attempt criterion 15
Ar�cula�on of Response Exceeds proficiency in an
exceptionally clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or creative
manner
Clearly conveys meaning with
correct grammar, sentence
structure, and spelling,
demonstrating an
understanding of audience and
purpose
Shows progress toward
proficiency, but with errors in
grammar, sentence structure,
and spelling, negatively
impacting readability
Submission has critical errors
in grammar, sentence
structure, and spelling,
preventing understanding of
ideas
5
Cita�ons and A�ribu�ons Attributes sources where
applicable using citation
methods with very few minor
errors
Attributes sources where
applicable, but with consistent
minor errors
Attributes sources where
applicable, but with major
errors
Does not attribute sources
where applicable
5
Total: 100%
Technology Needs Template
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
The CPA is a senior position at a tax preparation company. The CPA will be not only handling sensitive customer data from personal tax returns but also preparing tax returns for corporate clients. The CPA is also responsible for the personal tax returns filled out by the tax and data-entry specialist employees.
Tax Specialist
The tax specialist has the dual role of entering data and verifying that tax returns are correct. This position involves customer interaction in gathering data for minimizing taxes owed or maximizing tax refunds.
Data Entry Specialist
This position requires data entry for personal tax returns for customers who walk in the door. Although the data-entry specialist works with sensitive customer data, they do not have access to the tax returns once the returns are submitted to the tax specialist for review.
