You work for a company that is about to replace its 3-year old desk-top computers. The machines are principally used for desktop processing and for accessing information from the Internet. Most of the data is stored on the network so the machines do not require to have very large hard drives.

The staff takes work home routinely using USB keys so the USB ports should be easily accessible. Existing printers and scanners will also be connected to each machine.

The firm has traditionally used Dell computers and wishes to stay with Dell unless there is a considerable saving by going to another computer (they will be buying 75 machines.)

Because of the sensitive nature of the data on these machines, the company wished to have a fingerprint scanner on each machine. Corporate firewalls are in place and so a local firewall is not needed. Antivirus software is, however as well as an operating systems and the Office suite of programs.

Research the Internet, beginning with the Dell site and obtain a suitable configuration and a price. The machine should not be too large or too small in capacity.

Go to a second supplier and identify a similar machine from that location.

Write a memo to the CEO listing the specifications and prices for each option and give him a recommendation.