Week 7 - BusinessCase Project - Final
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Nov 24, 2024
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Wilmington University
Abhigna Chowdary Kakarla Vara Lakshmi
IST7020: Analysis, Modeling, and Design
Week 7 - Business Case Project Part 6
10/15/2023
2
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
.........................................................................................................................
3
Problem Statement
...........................................................................................................................
4
SWOT Analysis
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4
Recommended IT service solutions
.................................................................................................
6
SWOT to Solution Analysis
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15
Network topology & hardware
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20
Final Recommendation
..................................................................................................................
25
Summary/Conclusion
....................................................................................................................
26
References
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27
3
Executive Summary
An organization's IT service division is essential to its success. The profitability and
consumer trust of the firm may both be directly impacted by this department's success. A
dysfunctional IT support team may result in a loss of sales and a drop in client loyalty. It is
essential to have a well-equipped staff of both live and virtual professionals as well as a well-
organized inventory department in order to satisfy the expectations of the business and deliver
high-quality services.
It has been discovered via in-depth discussions with knowledgeable professionals in the
IT service sector that efficient administration is the secret to a flourishing service department. A
proactive approach to problem-solving is made possible by strong connections between
management, clients, and departments, which enables the company to overcome obstacles and
prosper.
Organizations may get a competitive edge and keep their existing client base by
concentrating on customer happiness. Businesses need a committed group of managers and
technicians, effective management techniques, and a clearly defined organizational structure to
accomplish this.
In order for businesses to be competitive in today's market, they must make investments
in their IT service department and hire qualified personnel. Businesses may dramatically increase
overall efficiency and boost customer satisfaction by giving this department top priority.
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Problem Statement
One of the project's most obvious issues is its six-month timeline. Choosing locations,
creating structures, hiring employees, putting them through training, maintaining inventories, etc.
are all necessary when opening many IT offices. Doing these tasks in less than six months is one
of the primary problems.
Interview Results
Systems analysts must do industry and organizational research. To determine whether this
new service would be a wise decision for the company's future development, we must do the
SWOT analysis. The Lake Wood IT department has interviewed candidates for positions in
development-related IT operations. Operational effectiveness appeared to be seriously hampered
by both the ineffective utilization of human resources and the failure to clearly define and
identify jobs. IT support projects will always face obstacles, such staff level limitations that
make it more difficult to achieve performance goals (Narula, 2019). This negative aspect may be
mitigated by creating a service management system and/or broadening the range of the
technicians' expertise and skills.
SWOT Analysis
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES/LIMITATIONS
1.
The products are in high demand.
2.
Positive mentality of the staff.
3.
Brand worth.
4.
The company's goodwill.
1.
Best and most cutting-edge services
provided by rivals.
2.
The company's reputation has declined.
3.
lack of expertise with cutting-edge
5
5.
Characteristics that set you apart from
your rivals.
6.
The best goods and services for the
clients.
technology that provide clients with
improved services.
4.
not enough resources.
5.
unclear who the target market is.
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
1.
Recognizing the demands of the
consumer.
2.
Providing live and virtual appointments
for customers.
3.
The development of a market for IT
products and services.
4.
It is possible to provide client
assistance in several locations.
1.
Other IT companies that provide the
same IT services and customer support
are many.
2.
Changing customer preferences and
attitudes around buying IT products.
3.
Less strategic planning was necessary
for the creation of IT support centers
spread across different locations.
Summary of SWOT Analysis
SWOT analysis must be used to comprehend and build the strategies to strategically
attain the goals. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats are discussed in a SWOT
analysis (Wang & Wang, 2020). A SWOT analysis of the IT support operations for new clients at
the Lake Wood IT firm may be seen below.
Strengths are primarily owed to the employees' tenacity and expertise. Their assurance
will help the business accomplish its objectives. The organizational gap between management
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and employees reveals flaws. As a result, creating productive working circumstances won't be
possible, which makes meeting SLAs unfeasible. The organization has the opportunity to provide
extensive services to numerous consumers. It could also serve as a list of various goods and
services. The possible expansion of rivals' firms and the disclosure of process information by
departing staff are examples of threats.
In view of current technological advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and
financial scrutiny, IT service operations must update or explain their continued existence in terms
of the company's success and profitability while restricting outsourcing. Because we must always
improve our technology literacy and skill set in order to deliver exceptional client experiences,
learning never ends.
Recommended IT service solutions
SaaS Solutions
Applications are hosted by a service provider and made accessible to consumers through
the Internet using the Software as a Service (SaaS) model of software delivery (Saraswat &
Tripathi, 2020). The apps and functionalities of the program will all be accessible to customers of
a SaaS solution, while the SaaS provider will be in charge of hosting and managing the software.
Using a SaaS solution has various benefits, including improved scalability, cost savings, and
increased agility.
Microsoft Office 365
A cloud-based subscription service called Microsoft Office 365 gives users access to
programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more. It is a versatile, user-friendly
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solution that works well for companies since it enables staff members to view and modify
documents online from any location and on any device. This enables teamwork and improved
communication among staff members, ensuring the material remains current.
Benefits:
Office 365's main advantage is collaboration since users can access and modify
spreadsheets, presentations, and documents from any location (Salih, 2021). Office 365 also
provides a high degree of security, guaranteeing the protection and safety of users' data. It also
provides access to and uses a variety of apps for users.
Limitations:
Office 365's data use might be a problem because customers cannot access the apps
without an internet connection because the software has to be used online. In addition, there is a
monthly price to access and utilize Office 365, which is a subscription service.
Google Apps
Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides are just a few of the tools that
are part of the collaboration package known as Google Apps. Businesses can interact in real-time
and exchange documents thanks to Google Apps.
Benefits:
Because Google Apps enables free setup and usage of the many applications, it is
affordable for businesses to use. It offers safe storage, enabling customers to quickly and easily
backup their crucial data. Furthermore, Google Apps is mobile device-optimized, enabling users
to access their data even on the go.
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Limitations:
People may find it challenging to utilize Google Apps since it is not as user-friendly as
Office 365. Because some of the apps are not as complex as those provided by Office 365,
Google Apps may not be as functional. Additionally, some users might regard Google Apps'
security to be weak.
Salesforce
Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) is a feature of the customer relationship management
(CRM) program Salesforce. One of the most well-liked SaaS cloud solutions is Salesforce. It
provides a range of tools that may be used to manage client connections, serve the customer
base, analyze data, and create or improve applications, including Sales Cloud, serve Cloud,
Analytics Cloud, and App Cloud.
Benefits:
Salesforce offers a lot of customization options, letting organizations alter the apps and
other features to suit their requirements. Additionally, it offers a large variety of interfaces and
apps, enabling organizations to modify the program to meet their own requirements.
Additionally, the program is quite user-friendly, making it simple for people to operate.
Limitations:
Because Salesforce is a subscription-based service, companies must pay a monthly
charge to access the program. Additionally, organizations could find the software's initial setup to
be complicated and need additional help to get it working.
Non-SaaS Solutions
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Non-SaaS solutions are conventional ones that demand that customers operate and
maintain the program on their own. They are often implemented on-premise, which means that
the client, as opposed to a third-party service provider, purchases and manages the software. The
benefits and drawbacks of non-SaaS solutions frequently differ from those of SaaS solutions.
Traditional IT services that do not make use of a cloud-based service are known as non-SaaS
solutions. On-premise software and internal servers are two examples of non-SaaS alternatives.
In-House Servers
A server that is housed within the walls of the company is known as an in-house server.
Data for the business is stored, managed, and maintained using it.
Benefits:
Unlike cloud-based services, organizations have complete data control with in-house
servers. Businesses can also alter their servers to suit their own requirements. Depending on the
demands of the business, companies may also scale their servers as necessary.
Limitations:
Businesses that employ internal servers must pay for expensive hardware and software up
front as well as additional IT professionals and workers to maintain the servers. Additionally,
companies won't have access to expert help for any difficulties that may develop and would have
to manage and maintain the servers on their own.
On-Premise Applications
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Applications that are deployed and operated on-premise are done so directly on the IT
infrastructure of the business (Alvin & Aji, 2023). The firm's IT staff normally installs and
maintains these programs on the corporate server.
Benefits:
Businesses have complete control over the programs and the data they use with on-
premise applications. Since the apps are maintained on-site rather than in a cloud-based
environment, this might be advantageous since they may be more secure. Additionally,
companies have the opportunity to modify the apps to suit their requirements.
Limitations:
Businesses must buy the software and get licenses to utilize it for on-premise
applications. This can be expensive and may necessitate more hardware and IT staff investments.
Businesses must also update and manage the programs on their own, which may be expensive
and time-consuming.
Preferred Solution
The Lakewood IT department should select a SaaS solution for its IT services after
analyzing both SaaS and non-SaaS options. Microsoft Office 365 is Lakewood IT's top choice
among the investigated SaaS alternatives because it provides a broad range of apps and
capabilities, excellent levels of security, and a user-friendly interface. Office 365 also supports
collaboration, allowing organizations to cooperate and view current documents from any location
with an internet connection.
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On-premise apps are the primary non-SaaS choice for Lakewood IT. programs that are
installed on-site are more secure than cloud-based alternatives because they allow organizations
complete control over the programs and their data. Businesses may also grow the apps as
necessary and have the ability to personalize them.
Comparison of SaaS and Non-SaaS Solutions
The cloud-based SaaS package Microsoft Office 365 provides a variety of productivity
applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. On-premise apps, on the other
hand, are software programs that are installed and executed on personal PCs or local servers.
Now let's contrast and compare the attributes and capabilities of these two approaches.
Accessibility: SaaS solutions like Microsoft Office 365 have the benefit of being
accessible from any location with an internet connection (Alam, 2022). This is one of its main
advantages. This enables team members who may not be in the same physical place to work
together more fluidly. On-premise apps, on the other hand, limit accessibility for remote users by
only allowing access from within the organization's network.
SaaS solutions often offer cheaper initial costs than on-premise programs since there is no
need to purchase servers or infrastructure. With its subscription-based business model, Microsoft
Office 365 makes the program more affordable for smaller companies by requiring firms to pay a
monthly or yearly charge. On-premise apps, however, are more expensive since businesses must
pay up front for the software, servers, and other infrastructure.
Upgrades and Maintenance: With SaaS solutions, the provider handles software upgrades
and maintenance. As a result, the company will always have free access to the newest features
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and upgrades. On-premise apps, however, need the business to maintain and upgrade the
software, which may be time-consuming and expensive.
Scalability: SaaS solutions also have the benefit of being very scalable. Users may be
readily added or removed by organizations as needed, and the program can support a huge user
base without experiencing any performance concerns. In order to support an increasing user
base, on-premise apps may need extra hardware and software changes, which limits their
scalability.
Security: For every IT solution, security is a crucial factor. Data encryption, frequent
backups, and access control are just a few of the strong security features that SaaS systems like
Microsoft Office 365 offer to protect business data (Robinson, 2023). The firm must make sure
that the necessary security precautions are taken because on-premise apps could not give the
same degree of protection.
Risks Associated with SaaS and Non-SaaS Solutions
Any new IT solution implementation has a unique set of dangers and difficulties. Let's
examine the possible dangers connected to putting the two suggested solutions into action.
SaaS-based Solutions
Reliance on Internet Connection: SaaS solutions are cloud-based, therefore in order for
users to use the program, they need a strong internet connection. Users may encounter
interruptions or delays due to a shaky or subpar internet connection, which will affect their
productivity.
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Data Privacy and Security: For some firms, storing data on the cloud may cause privacy
and data security risks. Microsoft and other SaaS providers have strong security protections in
place, but enterprises still need to make sure they have adequate data backup and recovery
strategies in case of security breaches.
Vendor lock-in: As businesses move their data and operations to the cloud, the SaaS
provider increasingly becomes their exclusive source of supply. It may be difficult and expensive
to switch providers or go back to an on-premises system, which might result in vendor lock-in.
Non-SaaS Solutions
Infrastructure Costs: As was previously said, on-premise apps need a high initial
investment in both hardware and software. Before putting the solution into practice,
organizations must carefully plan and budget for these expenditures.
Updating and performing routine maintenance on the program can be costly and time-
consuming. Organizations need to make sure they have the tools and knowledge needed to
accomplish these jobs.
On-premise systems may experience scalability problems as the business expands,
necessitating extra infrastructure investments to support the expanding user base (Jaju, 2023).
Capital and Operational Costs of SaaS and Non-SaaS Solutions
Operational costs are the continuing costs related to utilizing and maintaining the system,
whereas capital costs are the upfront expenditures required in installing an IT solution. The
anticipated capital and operating expenses for SaaS and Non-SaaS systems are shown below.
SaaS-based solutions
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365 Microsoft Office
Capital Expenses: Microsoft Office 365 provides a subscription-based pricing structure
with several pricing levels depending on the number of users and features needed. The
anticipated annual capital cost for the firm Standard plan, which comes with all the necessary
tools, for a small firm with 10 users is $1500.
Operational expenses: Since all maintenance and upgrades are included in the
subscription fee, Microsoft Office 365 has no additional operational expenses (Montoya, Giral-
Ramírez & Hernández, 2022).
Non-SaaS Solutions:
On-premise Apps
Capital expenses: Depending on the size of the business and the particular software
chosen, the capital expenses for on-premise apps will change. Estimates place the capital
expenses for putting an on-premise system in the $10,000 to $500,000 range or above.
Operational expenses: In addition to the initial investment, on-premise applications may
have ongoing maintenance, updates, and possibly licensing expenses for extra users or features.
SWOT to Solution Analysis
Feature and Function Requirements
The "must-have" features and capabilities are those that are required for the new system
to be successfully implemented and operate. These are the main features that take care of the
project's fundamental needs. The following are the "must-have" characteristics and
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functionalities for our project solution, according to my extensive investigation and evaluation of
our existing company needs:
1. Scalability
We require a solution that will expand with our company. Scalability is the system's
capacity to manage growing numbers of users, transactions, and data without noticeably
degrading its performance. It is essential to our project since we want to avoid any system limits
as our company is expected to grow in the future. Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, Google
Apps, in-house servers, and on-premise applications are all suggested options that can grow well.
SaaS solutions, on the other hand, offer a benefit in that they can simply add more resources to
meet expansion, as opposed to internal servers and on-premise applications, which could need
new hardware or software updates.
2. Accessibility
Accessibility is a crucial component in today's fiercely competitive business climate. The
system and its data must be accessible to our staff at all times and from any location. This
function is especially important for companies with mobile or remote employees. The
recommended solutions can all be accessed from any device with an internet connection because
they are all cloud-based. Salesforce limits access to a small number of devices, in contrast to
Google Apps and Microsoft Office 365, which both offer access to a wide variety of devices.
Accessibility is thus a "must-have" aspect for our project, and all solutions somewhat satisfy this
criteria.
3. Data Security
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Any company that deals with sensitive consumer information, in particular, must
prioritize data security. A massive data breach can harm the company's reputation in addition to
causing huge financial losses. Our selected solution must thus have strong security features in
place. With features like data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and routine security
upgrades, SaaS platforms like Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Google Apps provide a high
degree of security (Alghofaili et al., 2021). The protection of data may necessitate large
investments in security measures for internal servers and on-premise applications, though.
4. Collaboration and Communication Tools
Effective teamwork and communication are crucial for the efficient operation of any firm.
Features in our new system must enable seamless collaboration and communication among our
staff members. Email, instant messaging, and document sharing are all features that are
integrated into SaaS platforms like Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Google Apps. Teams
may collaborate in real time with these technologies, no matter where they are located. For
collaboration and communication, internal servers and on-premise applications may need to
integrate third-party solutions, increasing their cost and complexity.
5. Customization and Integration Capabilities
Our company has particular needs and procedures that might not be addressed by
conventional off-the-shelf solutions. The ability to customize our new system in order to meet
our unique demands is therefore essential. SaaS products like Google Apps, Salesforce, and
Microsoft Office 365 provide for a variety of customizations and may be integrated with other
company software (Sakthi Prasad, 2020). This enables us to customize the system to meet our
needs and link it with our current systems, therefore minimizing manual work and boosting
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productivity. To adapt and connect with other systems, internal servers and on-premise apps
could need a lot of development time and money.
Nice-to-Have Features and Functions
In addition to the "must-have" features and capabilities, there are certain more elements
that, while useful for our project, are not absolutely necessary. These "nice-to-have" features and
capabilities can improve user experience and boost overall process efficiency. The "nice-to-have"
features and functionalities for our project solution, in my opinion, are as follows:
1. AI-Powered Analytics
Data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) have the power to completely change how
businesses operate and how decisions are made. AI-powered analytics can instantly evaluate
enormous volumes of data, spot trends, and offer insightful information that can help you make
better decisions. We can incorporate AI-powered analytics capabilities from SaaS solutions like
Salesforce and Google Apps into our system to gain useful insights into our business operations
(Mahendra, 2023). Microsoft Office 365, in contrast, has very limited AI capabilities, and
internal servers and on-premise apps can demand a substantial investment in AI tools and
resources.
2. Mobile Application Support
Our workers that operate remotely or are always on the road may benefit from having a
mobile application for our system. It makes it simpler for them to carry out company activities
wherever they are by allowing them to access the system and its data from their mobile devices.
All of the suggested options, with the exception of Salesforce, which only offers access through a
18
mobile browser, offer mobile support. However, compared to their mobile browser versions,
Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps' mobile applications offer more sophisticated features,
making them a superior choice for our project.
3. Third-Party Integrations
In addition to internal system integration, our project solution must allow integration with
third-party applications. This feature can be beneficial for businesses that use specialized
software for specific tasks, such as accounting, customer relationship management, or project
management. SaaS solutions like Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Google Apps have a
wide range of third-party integrations available, allowing our system to work seamlessly with
other business applications. In contrast, in-house servers and on-premise applications may
require significant development efforts and costs to integrate with third-party applications.
4. Advanced Reporting and Dashboards
The ability to generate robust reports and dashboards can provide valuable insights into
our business and help us to make data-driven decisions. SaaS solutions like Microsoft Office
365, Salesforce, and Google Apps offer advanced reporting and dashboard capabilities that can
help us visualize data in an organized and easy-to-understand format. However, in-house servers
and on-premise applications may require significant development efforts and resources to create
similar reports and dashboards.
Costs Associated with "Nice-to-Have" Features and Functions
While the "must-have" features and functions are essential for our project's success, the
"nice-to-have" features and functions are not crucial and could be considered in the future when
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the budget allows. However, it is essential to understand the costs associated with these features
and functions before making a decision. Below is a breakdown of the costs associated with each
"nice-to-have" feature and function:
1. AI-Powered Analytics
The complexity of the solution, the quantity of licenses needed, and any additional
resources necessary for training and maintenance will all affect the cost of integrating AI-
powered analytics tools with our system. The price for SaaS products like Salesforce and Google
Apps would be between $100 and $150 per user per month. On-premise systems, in contrast,
could necessitate a substantial capital expenditure for hardware, software, and training.
2. Mobile Application Support
Depending on the solution used, the cost of supporting mobile applications might vary.
Mobile applications are already included in the subscription fee for SaaS solutions like Microsoft
Office 365 and Google Apps, so there are no extra fees associated with using them. On the other
hand, the price would differ for internal servers and on-premise apps based on the resources and
development time needed.
3. Third-Party Integrations
The cost of connecting third-party apps with our system would vary depending on how
complicated the integration was, how many integrations were needed, and whether any extra
resources were necessary for maintenance and support. There are many different connectors
available for SaaS systems like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps, and the price will vary
20
based on the particular integration you choose. On the other hand, internal servers and on-
premises apps could need a lot of development time and money, raising their overall cost.
4. Advanced Reporting and Dashboards
The complexity of the solution and the resources needed will determine how much it
costs to create sophisticated reports and dashboards. Depending on the subscription plan
selected, there can be extra fees for sophisticated reporting and dashboard features for SaaS
products like Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Google Apps. Similar reports and dashboards
would need large development expenses for internal servers and on-premise apps, in contrast.
Network topology & hardware
Network Topologies
The physical or logical configuration of links between devices in a network is referred to
as its topology. The performance, scalability, and cost of a network can all be strongly impacted
by the topology decision. The star and mesh are the two primary forms of network topologies.
Star Topology
All network components are linked to a central hub or switch in a star architecture
(Deepak et al., 2022). The network devices communicate with one another through this central
device. Communication between devices is directed through the central device, which is
connected specifically to each end-user device. Local area networks (LANs) frequently adopt
star topology because it is simple to set up, performs well, and is scalable.
Benefits
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The star topology is a preferred option for many networks due to its numerous
advantages. These consist of:
The star topology is simple to set up and administer since each device is connected to a
single point, which makes it simple to identify and resolve network problems.
High performance: Because each end user device has a dedicated connection to the central
device, high-speed data transfer is possible, making it suited for high-bandwidth applications
like voice, video, and data.
Simple scalability: By connecting more end-user devices to the central device, the network
may be readily expanded to accommodate the addition of more devices, making it a scalable
option for expanding networks.
Limitations
Despite its advantages, the star topology has significant drawbacks that should be taken
into account, particularly for large networks. These consist of:
Single point of failure: Since every device in the network is connected to one main
component, its failure or interruption might have an impact on the whole network.
Distance restriction: The end-user devices and the central device can only be separated by
the connection's length, which is typically 90m. The network may be difficult to grow to
span huge regions or many buildings because of this restriction.
Cost: Setting up a star topology can be expensive, especially if the network has to connect
quickly, cover a big region, or has several central devices.
Mesh Topology
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A network that has many point-to-point connections between each device, creating a
mesh-like structure, is said to have a mesh topology (Solomon, 2020). In WANs (wide area
networks), when devices are separated geographically and need redundant connections, this form
of architecture is frequently employed.
Benefits
The mesh topology is ideal for some applications because it has a number of advantages.
These consist of:
High availability and fault tolerance are guaranteed since each device has many connections,
so an interruption or loss of one link does not affect the entire network.
High scalability: A mesh architecture can accommodate the addition of new devices without
affecting the network's operation or performance.
Flexible: Different degrees of redundancy may be included into the mesh topology, enabling
the creation of networks that can endure many failures while retaining connection.
Limitations
The mesh topology offers advantages, but it also has significant drawbacks that make it
less appropriate for specific applications. These consist of:
Implementation and management challenges: The complexity of the network rises as the
number of connections does, making it difficult to build and administer.
Cost: Due to the need for numerous connections and devices, implementing a mesh topology
can be expensive, especially for large networks.
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Network performance: The mesh topology provides excellent fault tolerance, but because
there are many connections between the devices, there may be an increase in latency and a
deterioration in network performance.
Cost Analysis
The cost of the hardware is a key factor in choosing the best network design for
Lakewood IT. The cost comparison between the star and mesh topologies for network gear and
end-user devices is shown in the table below, assuming a total of 15 service associates per site
over three separate locations.
Line Item Description
Quantity
Unit Price (USD)
Unit Price Total (USD)
High-performance
Workstations
45
$1000
$45,000
VoIP Devices
45
$200
$9,000
Headsets
45
$50
$2,250
High bandwidth (gigabit)
network equipment
3
$5000
$15,000
Network Drops (user
locations)
135
$100
$13,500
Total
$84,750
The star topology is the most economical solution for Lakewood IT based on the
expected expenditures. It needs fewer network drops and devices, which lowers the cost of the
equipment.
When comparing network topologies, it is crucial to take continuing operational costs
into account, such as maintenance, support, and power expenditures. Due to its complexity,
numerous connections, and devices, the mesh topology may require more frequent maintenance
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(Pathak et al., 2021). Additionally, as the network expands, it's possible that the mesh topology's
running expenses would rise sharply.
Recommendation
The star topology seems to be the best option for the business when taking into account
the requirements of Lakewood IT and the cost analysis. Compared to the mesh topology, it is less
expensive initially and offers great performance, simple scaling, and straightforward
maintenance. By integrating redundant connections and central devices in each site, the single
point of failure and distance restrictions of the star topology may be reduced.
The recommended hardware includes high-performance workstations, VoIP devices,
headsets, and gigabit network equipment, as outlined in the line item capital cost table above.
Final Recommendation
It is advised that Lakewood IT choose a SaaS solution for its IT services after rigorous
assessment and analysis of both SaaS and non-SaaS alternatives. Due to its broad range of apps,
high levels of security, and user-friendly interface, Microsoft Office 365 is the best option out of
the SaaS alternatives that have been researched. Office 365 also facilitates remote work and
encourages collaboration, giving the company flexibility and scalability.
The chosen solution must be in line with the organization's aims and objectives, even
while non-SaaS alternatives provide greater data protection and potential long-term cost
advantages. The bulk of our "must-have" requirements are met by SaaS solutions like Microsoft
Office 365, Salesforce, and Google Apps, with some of them also providing extra "nice-to-have"
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capabilities. These solutions can be cost-effective for smaller enterprises with limited resources
and have fewer initial expenditures as well.
For Lakewood IT, the star topology is advised in terms of network topology since it
provides superior performance, scalability, and simplicity of maintenance compared to the mesh
architecture. By incorporating redundant connections and central equipment into each site, it also
lowers the possibility of a single point of failure.
In order to create a seamless and effective workflow inside the firm, it is advised to invest
in high-performance workstations, VoIP devices, headsets, and gigabit network equipment.
The last suggestion is to choose a SaaS product, notably Microsoft Office 365, and to set
up a star topology for the network. As a result, Lakewood IT will be able to meet its IT
objectives while sticking to the organization's spending plan and long-term goals.
Summary/Conclusion
Overall, it is advised that Lakewood's IT department choose a SaaS solution, notably
Microsoft Office 365, following rigorous examination of the available alternatives for IT
services. This system provides a large selection of apps and functionalities, outstanding security,
and collaboration tools. On-premise solutions may provide you greater flexibility and maybe
lower long-term costs, but they come with higher initial costs and recurring costs. Therefore, a
SaaS solution is a better fit for Lakewood IT's requirements and price range.
The suggested star architecture for networks strikes a compromise between cost,
performance, and scalability. By including redundant connections and central devices at each
location, it tackles potential difficulties of a single point of failure and distance limitations.
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High-performance workstations, VoIP equipment, headsets, and gigabit network hardware
are advised to support the SaaS solution. The seamless and effective operation of the IT services
will be guaranteed by these hardware selections.
In conclusion, choosing a SaaS solution—specifically Microsoft Office 365—along with
a star network topology and suggested high-performance hardware to meet the organization's IT
needs is advised after carefully weighing the needs and budget of Lakewood IT, as well as the
benefits and drawbacks of SaaS and non-SaaS solutions.
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