Scenario
You are a systems architect at a medium-sized publishing company with 130 employees. The company primarily publishes books, both in print and online. It also produces other kinds of
content, such as audiobooks, interactive reading material, and magazines. Your leadership has decided that it is time to either upgrade or adopt a new OS (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS).
As the systems architect, you have the responsibility to determine which OS the company should implement. There are many aspects to consider when making this decision, including what
existing applications are used by employees on a frequent basis, cost, functionality provided, performance, vendor support, etc. To determine which OS should be implemented, you need to
complete a site survey. After comparing the different OS options in the site survey, you will develop a brief proposal on what OS (or hybrid) the company should implement to meet its
organizational needs.
Directions
Review the Company’s Organizational Needs
To make a well-informed decision, you should understand the company’s organizational needs. Before completing your site survey and writing your proposal, review the Organizational Needs
document linked in the Supporting Materials area below.
Complete a Site Survey
A site survey compares the three different operating systems that the company is planning to implement. To complete this task, use the Site Survey template linked in the Supporting Materials
area. Your site survey must have the following sections completed:
Operating Systems: Acknowledge what OSes are already used on site in your site survey. The type of OS already used and how many employees are using that OS can influence your
decision making.
Server: Determine whether the desktops are on a hardware or cloud-based server.
Although not required in this portion of the project, you may want to think about whether or not the server should be changed. This change could be recommended in your
proposal.
Network Connection: Determine whether the network is wired or wireless.
Although not required in this portion of the project, you may want to think about whether or not the network connection should be changed. This change could be recommended in
your proposal.
Applications: Identify what software applications need to be supported by the OS. Your survey of what applications desktop users use most frequently will influence your decision
making, as some applications are not supported by certain OSes.
Write a Proposal
Your proposal will be used to inform leadership as to which OSes the company should implement based on the findings of your site survey. Your proposal needs to include the following:
Overview of Desktop Footprint: Identify desktop systems that need to be upgraded and other OSes that need to be considered in the environment. This includes the locations of the
desktop computers and any risks or vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
Recommendation: Recommend which OS should be selected and implemented, as well as whether it should be on-premise or cloud-based.
Justification: Justify your decision based on your site survey findings and course concepts. You can also consider the number of end users, cost, and hardware requirements as part of
your findings.
Full Answer Section
Site Survey Findings:
- Operating Systems:
- Existing OS usage: (Identify the number of employees using Windows, macOS, and Linux currently)
- Server:
- Hardware or Cloud-based server? (Specify current server setup)
- Network Connection:
- Wired or Wireless network? (Indicate current network type)
- Applications:
- List the most frequently used software applications by employees. (Identify any software with specific OS compatibility requirements)
Recommendation:
Based on the site survey findings and considering [Company Name]'s specific needs, I recommend implementing a [Chosen Operating System] environment. Here's a breakdown of the rationale:
- Application Compatibility: [Explain how the chosen OS aligns with the most commonly used applications by employees. If there are compatibility concerns, outline mitigation strategies.]
- Cost: [Consider the licensing costs and potential hardware upgrades required for the chosen OS. Analyze if it aligns with the company's budget.]
- Security: [Highlight the security features of the chosen OS and how they address any existing vulnerabilities.]
- User Familiarity: [If a significant portion of the workforce is already familiar with a particular OS, consider its user-friendliness and potential for a smoother transition.]
- Cloud-Based vs. On-Premise: [Evaluate the benefits of a cloud-based solution (scalability, remote access) versus an on-premise server (data control) based on the company's needs.]
Justification:
[Provide a more detailed explanation of why the chosen OS is the best fit. Use specific examples from the site survey and course concepts to strengthen your argument. Consider factors like scalability, manageability, security features, and future compatibility with industry trends.]
Implementation Plan:
- Pilot Program: A pilot program with a small group of employees can be conducted to test the chosen OS and identify any unforeseen issues before a company-wide rollout.
- User Training: Training sessions should be offered to familiarize employees with the new OS and its functionalities.
- Data Migration: A plan for data migration from the existing system to the new OS needs to be established to ensure minimal disruption.
Conclusion:
Implementing a new OS can significantly impact [Company Name]'s productivity and efficiency. By carefully considering the company's needs and conducting a thorough site survey, this proposal recommends a solution that balances functionality, cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and security. Following the proposed implementation plan will ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of the new operating system.
Next Steps:
- Upon leadership approval, a detailed implementation plan with timelines and resource allocation will be drafted.
- Communication channels will be established to keep employees informed throughout the process.
Note: This proposal serves as a template. Replace the bracketed information with details specific to your company's situation and findings from the site survey documents.
Sample Answer
Proposal for New Operating System at [Company Name]
Introduction:
This proposal outlines the findings of a site survey conducted to determine the most suitable operating system (OS) for [Company Name]. The company currently employs 130 staff members and produces various content formats, including books (print and online), audiobooks, interactive reading materials, and magazines.
Company Needs:
[ Briefly summarize the key points from the "Company's Organizational Needs" document here. This will help tailor the OS recommendation to your company's specific work processes.]