A local entrepreneur plans to open a retail business
A local entrepreneur plans to open a retail business. The business owner needs to develop the right network to conduct a number of business functions including implementing email marketing and e-commerce, processing credit card transactions, ordering from and communicating with various supply chain vendors, and providing a variety of telecommunications functions to compete with similar businesses. The business owner is unsure about the network architecture needed to perform these functions and does not have an unlimited budget like the larger retailers do.
For this discussion, assume the role of a network architect and develop three suggestions for building an internal network capable of performing these functions. In your main post, list the suggestions and rationale that supports your recommendations. Be sure you address which network capability or capabilities your recommendation will fulfill.
Review a minimum of two classmates’ recommendations and pose follow-up questions the business owners may ask to ensure the networks will be able to perform the desired capabilities without overspending
Sample Answer
As your friendly neighborhood network architect, I’ve come up with three network infrastructure suggestions tailored to your budding retail business. Remember, budget-consciousness is key, so these solutions balance functionality with cost-effectiveness. Let’s explore:
Suggestion 1: Hybrid Cloud with Managed Services
- Network Capability: E-commerce, Email Marketing, Telecommunications, Secure Connectivity
Rationale:
- Hybrid Cloud: Leverage the flexibility and scalability of the cloud (e.g., AWS, Azure) for e-commerce and email marketing platforms. This eliminates upfront hardware costs and allows quick resource scaling as your business grows.