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Describe the technologies, hardware, and software used within the information technology field
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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.

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.

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Sample Answer

 

Hardware and Software Recommendations for James Otis Tax Associates

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

  • Hardware:
    • Desktop computer with a powerful processor and sufficient memory to handle large data sets.
    • High-quality monitor with a large screen for easy viewing of complex tax documents.
    • External hard drive for storing sensitive client data.
    • Scanner for digitizing paper documents.

Full Answer Section

 

  • Software:
    • Operating system: Windows 10 or macOS
    • Office suite: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
    • Tax preparation software: Intuit TurboTax or H&R Block TaxCut
    • Security software: Antivirus software and firewall

The CPA will need a powerful computer system to handle the demanding tasks of preparing tax returns for both individuals and businesses. The high-quality monitor will allow the CPA to view complex tax documents easily, and the external hard drive will provide a secure place to store sensitive client data. The scanner and printer will be used to digitize paper documents and print tax returns and other documents.

The CPA will need the following software:

  • An operating system: Windows 10 or macOS is a good choice for the CPA’s computer system. These operating systems are stable and secure, and they offer a wide range of features that the CPA will need.
  • An office suite: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is a must-have for any CPA. These office suites provide a variety of productivity tools, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
  • Tax preparation software: Intuit TurboTax or H&R Block TaxCut are popular tax preparation software programs that the CPA can use to prepare tax returns for clients.
  • Security software: Antivirus software and firewall are essential for protecting the CPA’s computer system from malware and other threats.

Tax Specialist

  • Hardware:
    • Desktop computer with a good processor and sufficient memory to handle basic tax preparation tasks.
    • Monitor with a large screen for easy viewing of tax documents.
    • Printer for printing tax returns and other documents.
  • Software:
    • Operating system: Windows 10 or macOS
    • Office suite: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
    • Tax preparation software: Intuit TurboTax or H&R Block TaxCut
    • Security software: Antivirus software and firewall

The tax specialist will need a basic computer system to handle the tasks of entering data, verifying tax returns, and interacting with clients. The monitor with a large screen will allow the tax specialist to view tax documents easily, and the printer will be used to print tax returns and other documents.

The tax specialist will need the following software:

  • An operating system: Windows 10 or macOS is a good choice for the tax specialist’s computer system. These operating systems are stable and secure, and they offer a wide range of features that the tax specialist will need.
  • An office suite: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is a must-have for any tax specialist. These office suites provide a variety of productivity tools, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
  • Tax preparation software: Intuit TurboTax or H&R Block TaxCut are popular tax preparation software programs that the tax specialist can use to prepare tax returns for clients.
  • Security software: Antivirus software and firewall are essential for protecting the tax specialist’s computer system from malware and other threats.

Data-Entry Specialist

  • Hardware:
    • Desktop computer with a basic processor and sufficient memory to handle data entry tasks.
    • Monitor with a large screen for easy viewing of data entry screens.
  • Software:
    • Operating system: Windows 10 or macOS
    • Office suite: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
    • Security software: Antivirus software and firewall

The data-entry specialist will need a basic computer system to handle the tasks of entering data into tax returns. The monitor with a large screen will allow the data-entry specialist to view data entry screens easily.

The data-entry specialist will need the following software:

  • An operating system: Windows 10 or macOS is a good choice for the data-entry specialist’s computer system. These operating systems are stable and secure, and they offer a wide range of features that the data-entry specialist will need.
  • An office suite: Microsoft Office or Google Workspace is a must-have for any data-entry specialist. These office suites provide a variety of productivity tools, such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
  • Security software: Antivirus software and firewall are essential for protecting the data-entry specialist’s computer system from malware and other threats.

Security Measures

The following security measures should be implemented to protect the computer systems and data of James Otis

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