Our recommendation is a multi-faceted solution for Omicron Web Company including upgrades to hardware, software, mobile communication, construction, and training. We recommend new laptops, cell phones, servers, networking equipment, and software for employees. The bottom floor will be remodeled to include meeting rooms for collaboration. Training will be provided to help employees learn the new technologies. These upgrades will improve communication, mobility, and efficiency to help Omicron adapt to 21st century needs.

1. COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION
IN F O RM AT I ON
T EC HN OL OG Y
P ROP OS A L
OMICRON WEB COMPANY’S BEST
OPPORTUNITY FOR ENHACING
KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND DECISION
MAKING AMONG PROJECT TEAMS
SKYNET CONSULTING
MR. TETSWORTH, MR. B. THOMPSON, MR. C. THOMPSON, MR.
THORPE, MS. WILLIAMS, AND MR. WONGSAROJ
LIS3021-SECTION 1, COMMUNICATION FOR IT PROFESSIONALS
FALL 2011
MR. MILAS & DR. MORI

3. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Brief Summary, Conclusions, and Recommendations...................................................................................3
Introductory
Remarks..........................................................................................................................................3
Purpose..................................................................................................................................................................3
Problem Statement...............................................................................................................................................3
Scope of the Problem..........................................................................................................................................3
Findings and Analysis..........................................................................................................................................4
Hardware...............................................................................................................................................................4
Software.................................................................................................................................................................4
Mobile
Communication.......................................................................................................................................5
Laptops..................................................................................................................................................................5
Cell Phones............................................................................................................................................................5
Construction..........................................................................................................................................................
6
Training..................................................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion and Recommendation....................................................................................................................6
Teammate Contribution......................................................................................................................................6

4. PROPOSAL
OMICRON WEB COMPANY’S BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ENHACING
KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND DECISION MAKING AMONG PROJECT
TEAMS
B rie f Summa r y, Conc lus io ns , a nd Re c omme n da tions
Omicron Web Company has been having problems with communication between employees in
and out of the office due to fast, unexpected growth. As a company who deals with technology on a
day-to-day basis, the Omicron Web Company has asked us to perform research and recommend a
possible solution to their communication and technology problems.
Our recommendation is multi-faceted, including communication upgrades that reach from the
telephone to the computer systems, and building remodeling. In addition to new smartphones, we
recommend new laptops and software upgrades for the employees who will need them most. Also,
the bottom office floor will be transformed to include meeting rooms for teleconferences and
employee collaboration.
I ntr oduc tor y Re ma r ks
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to give recommendations for a communications solution for
Omicron Web Company. This report has been authorized by the CEO of SkyNet, Dr.
Rodriguez-Mori, our Vice-President, Mr. Milas, and the CEO of Omicron, Dayton
Whitworth, and the Board of Directors, in the September 7th board meeting. The purpose of
this consulting project is to bring Omicron into the 21 st century in terms of technology and
communication. We were called in because of our expertise in handling communications
problems and our innovative solutions. To prepare for the report, SkyNet Consulting team
gathered research on the issue, and held mandatory weekly meetings where all information
was discussed.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Omicron Web Company needs help with communications both inside and outside the office
proper to increase work efficiency and mobility. Some employees are required to travel out
of the office to meet and consult with clients and are forced to use their personal cell
phones. In addition, Omicron’s offices need an update on their technologies, as employees
are issued desktop computers with minimal web design and development software.
SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM
While this problem has not been troublesome in the past and has not yet hindered
Omicron’s bottom line, as the Company continues to grow and move into the 21st Century,
it will find itself falling farther and farther behind its competition if something is not done
soon. The lack of web design software and the lack of work-at-home ability will decrease
productivity and eventually impact the bottom line.
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5. Fi ndin gs & A na l ys is
We collected the information in a variety of ways. Our past experience gives us a head start
in identifying needs of companies. In addition to our knowledge and experience, we
researched components of our plan online to find the best solutions and prices. We also
used analogous comparative analysis to look at other companies’ successful technology
upgrades.
Once the appropriate information was found, we divided the solution up into separate
categories. These categories are hardware, software, mobile communication (including cell
phones and laptops), construction, and training.
HARDWARE
Hardware is an important factor for any business, but especially for an IT-related business.
Web development companies commonly have their own servers and need the correct
hardware to build and manage them.
All critical network hardware at Omicron will be connected to Uninterrupted Power Supply
(UPS) units in case of power failure. If main power fails, the battery operated power supplies
will provide power to the network and prevent data loss. We have selected Tripp Lite to
supply the UPS units. For two UPS units, the cost will total $15,572.
Servers will also be set up on the border of Omicron’s network to inspect each packet that is
received. They will also block any potential attack or unauthorized connections. Two of
these devices will be installed with the same software on the same server tack to establish
redundancy in case of hardware failure. If one ASA goes offline, the other will immediately
take its place. This allows for 99%+ network uptime. These devices will also act as Virtual
Private Network (VPN) servers that allow traveling employees to tunnel into Omicron’s
network remotely and securely. For two Cisco ASA Security Appliances, the cost will total
$16,000.
Omicron Web Company will need a place to store the servers. A rack-mount server cabinet
will be purchased from iStarUSA to organize all of the server equipment in the same cabinet.
This rack also has extra space for equipment that could possibly be purchased in the future.
The total cost will be $1,099.
We will also install two Super Micro serves with the same software and configurations to
establish redundancy in case of hardware failure. They will act as WSUS servers for Windows
software updates, Domain Name System (DNS) serves, and Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP) servers. The cost for two of these servers totals $6,000.
Omicron will also have an HP ProCurve switch that will be placed directly behind the
border firewall/router and will connect each individual wired device on the network—
including WAPs, servers, and desktop workstations. The cost of the switch is $8,150. Lastly,
we will implement four Cisco Wireless Access Points (WAPs) that will be installed on each
wall of the main floor and will allow employees to connect to the network wirelessly from
their laptops and phones. For four WAPs, the total cost will be $2,135.96.
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6. SOFTWARE
Up-to-date software is just as important as having the newest hardware. Good software
helps developers work much more efficiently and with fewer errors. It also makes it easier
for employees work together on projects.
Omicron will need Microsoft Windows Server 2008 software for two of the servers. This is
the operating system of choice for the servers we will implement at Omicron. The cost for
two of the operating system is $2,199.98. In addition, we will be implementing two
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 relational database servers. The cost for two of these will be
$4,799.98. The computers at Omicron Web Company will also need Microsoft Office for
Mac. The software package comes with two licenses, so for 20 computers, we will need 10
packages. The total cost will be $2,280.90.
There are also many different types of web development software that are free. Komodo
Edit 6 is a great web development editor that is free and open-source. Komodo Edit allows
developers to code web pages in HTML, CSS, XML, PHP, Python, Ruby, JavaScript, Perl,
and Tcl. It also includes syntax coloring, and auto-complete, ensuring the accuracy of the
markup and coding. Mercurial is also a free revision tool for developers to use when
collaborating on projects.
MOBILE COMMUNICATION
As stated before, one of the main problems Omicron Web Company is having is
communication with each other and clients in and out of the office. The best way to
improve communication is to make sure that no matter where an employee is, they can be
reachable.
LAPTOPS
Although desktops have worked for the company up until this point, laptops are more
mobile, and allows an employee to keep track of one computer, rather than having to access
their work projects on their personal computer at home. For web development and design
purposes, we have chosen the 15" Apple MacBook Pro for the employees at Omicron Web
Company. The operating system for the laptops will be OS X Lion (64 bit) with Bootcamp
Windows 7 (64 bit). The price for 20 laptops will total $35,980.
CELL PHONES
Since the employees have been using their own personal cell phones to communicate, they
are not obligated to do business on them. If each employee is given a company cell phone,
they can be reachable and are given the opportunity to become mobile and much more
reachable. Each employee will be given an Apple iPhone 4S. AT&T offers a plan for small
businesses called BusinessTalk, that offers 30,000 shared minutes a month. Between 20
employees, that gives each person 1,500 anytime minutes each month. This plan is $1,600 a
month. Each employee will also be given a 4GB/month data package on their phone that
includes tethering. The total cost will be $2,700 a month for all 20 phones.
Cell Phone Apple iPhone 4S 16GB
Cell Phone cost per phone $199.99
Cell Phone Provider AT&T
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7. Cell Phone Plan BusinessTalk
Minutes/month 30,000
Minutes/month per phone 1,500
Data allowance per phone 4GB
Total cost/month $4,300
CONSTRUCTION
In order to help employees work together effectively, Omicron Web Company's current
needs a complete re-modeling to be able to store the new technologies and help improve the
company’s day-to-day duties. The first step is to completely level out the second floor in
order to put in the room additions that are planned. Although many different construction
companies were consulted for the job, Schrute’s Company was hired because of
recommendations, positive reviews, and their prices. The leveling out of the second floor
will take two days and the price quote for the labor is $5,500.
Within the re-modeling job, Omicron needs to add four conference rooms. We envision the
conference rooms to have glass walls and doors. The price of the glass walls and doors came
out to be $16,000.00. After the walls are put in, the refurbishing of the rooms will cost
another $8,000.00 to make them adequate conference rooms.
The next project for the re-modeling of the second floor is a server room that would of
course store the servers and other technologies. Soundproof walls for this room would be
ideal because of the loud noise of the servers. The estimated amount of the soundproof
walls and labor is $9,000. The cost for other labor needs such as heat/air, electric and other
necessities cost $8,000.
TRAINING
Whenever any new technology is implemented at a business, it is only right to train
employees. They will have to use the devices on a daily basis, so they must learn how to use
them properly so that they can complete their work. SkyNet Consulting team will offer
training services to Omicron Web Company. The first three hours of group training will be
offered for free, and every hour thereafter will be $100 per hour. The first hour of individual
training will be offered for free, and every hour after the first hour will be $50 per hour.
C onc lus ion a nd Re c omme n da tion
Omicron Web Company's current communication model may not be effective, but
fortunately, it is not too late to save it. After doing the background research and assessing
Omicron's needs, SkyNet is sure that they can improve the current business communication
model. We are sure that with the new servers and security hardware, software packages and
web development editors, and laptops and cell phone packages, employees at Omicron will
be able to work much more efficiently and will be more reachable on a day-to-day basis. The
new building construction will provide a better environment for employees to collaborate
with each other in. The training that SkyNet will provide will also be beneficial to Omicron
because it will help the users of the new technology get their work done without having to
worry about how to use everything. Not only will Omicron Web Company's communication
between employees and clients will improve dramatically, they will also be able to pay more
attention to their clients' needs and work more efficiently. The new plan will help the
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8. company in their expansion and keep them up to date with the technology changes that have
taken place within the last few years.
Te a mma te C ontri butio n
All members of the SkyNet Consulting Team have been very cooperative with each other
and have done their part to make sure all of the work is done. Each member has been rated
on a scale of 0 to 100 percent on their overall contribution to completing the project thus
far.
• William Tetsworth: 100%
• Benjamin Thompson: 100%
• Christopher Thompson: 100%
• Cory Thorpe: 100%
• Courtney Williams: 100%
• Sakol Wongsaroj: 100%
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