Q1. Smart-Toys-Smart Kids CEO (Part 1)
"Smart-Toys-Smart Kids"is a toy manufacturing company. They are providing toys to retail stores in the region. The company has 500employees. The CEO of the company Fred is looking for alternatives to streamline B2B transactions between his employees and the retail stores. Fred's information systems department has presented him with two alternatives for developing the new tools for better customer service with the retail stores.
The first alternative will have a special software tool developed in C++ program (application software) that clients(500 employees and retail stores) will download onto their computers to run. The tool will communicate with the server to select data to analyze. The second alternative will have the C++ program running on the server in the headquarters; the clientcomputers will interact with the server. Part of the program in the client computers and other parts are in the Server side.
a) Classify the two alternatives in terms of what type of application architecture they use.
b) Outline the pros and cons of the two alternatives
c) Make a recommendation to Fred about which is better.
Q2 Smart-Toys-Smart Kids CEO(Part 2)
Smart-Toys-Smart Kids has decided to install a new e-mail package to streamline communications within the company. Fred would like to have one common calendar for his all 500 employees. The expected features of the new e-mail packageare"background processing" that doesn't get a great deal of attention. This includes managing connections, checking for errors in commands and e-mail messages, and reacting accordingly.The e-mail software vendors offered two different e-mail system for solution. One vendor is offering an SMTP-based two-tier client server architecture. The second vendor is offering a Web-based e-mail architecture. Fred doesn't understand either one.
a) Briefly explain to Fred, in layman's terms, the differences between the two.
b) Outline the pros and cons of the two alternatives
c) Make a recommendation to Fred about which is better for his company
Q3 Smart-Toys-Smart Kids CEO (Part3)
Smart-Toys-Smart Kids CEO would like have additional communication toolslike video conferencing and instant messaging (IM) in the new IT system. He would like to have IM and video conferencing available for its employees and for the retail stores (more than 100).
This new system will improve the communication not among his employees but also between his company and the vendors as well. For Example: His employee would be able to make videoconferencing with retail store manager in different state.
But, he was told that it is not going to be as easy as establishing e-mail communication between so many different computers. Instant messaging (IM) and Video Conferencing are not working like e-mail.
Answer the CEO's questions below.
Why can't IM work as simply as e-mail?
Will the videoconferencing softwarework as simply as e-mail? If not why?
What should I do to make sure new instant messaging (IM) and Video Conferencing system will work?