IS Project Analysis

 

Project Analysis

Review of Hardware and CPU’s (Margareth Espinal)

According to the article, What Is Computer Hardware? hardware refers to the external and internal devices and equipment that enables the company to perform major functions such as input, output, storage, communication and processing. The type of hardware system that Benchmark Scientific uses is desktop and laptop computers, printer and a telephony system. Their system is well organized but it can be improved. Some of the things that can be improved is that they could be cloud based storage. Since Benchmark is a growing business, it consumes a lot of paper in most of the transactions. For example, they could implement a system where the warehouse can use tablets instead of paper and cr4ate an automate business processes. According to the EPA a paperless office saves roughly $80 per employee (annually) in costs related to paper, ink, toner, storage space, and postage. Committing to going paperless makes it easier for the company to move faster. Using digital forms to standardize processes and switch to electronic signatures saves time on printing documents, setting up in-person meetings, and maintaining hard copies. This is something that Benchmark would like to implement as they store all the paper in the warehouse occupying prime space. In addition, going paperless means advancing with technology and adding benefits of improving document organization strategies and making the business operations more efficient.   

Review of Software (Anna Paulovkin)

According to techtarget.com, software is a collection of data, programs, or instructions that run computers and carry out particular functions. It is the opposite of hardware, which deals with a computer's external components (Rosencrance, 2021). It incorporates both system software, like operating systems and application software, like QuickBooks. With the operating systems being Microsoft Windows for the company's laptop and desktop computers. 

Application software, as defined by britannica.com, is software created to help users with certain tasks. This type of software, which may be defined as any application that handles data processing for a user, instructs the computer to carry out commands provided by the user (Britannica, 2023). QuickBooks, as mentioned, is an example of application software used for accounting and inventory management. 

 For Benchmark Scientific, QuickBooks is a vertical application in the structured process, tailored for accounting and inventory management, as it is a specialized software designed for the specific industry. Along with LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, that help in the advertisement side of the dynamic process. 

For its general-purpose, horizontal software, we can consider Microsoft Office Suite; and Photoshop used to create advertisements on the dynamic process side. Some other customized applications, software solutions used by Benchmark Scientific, tailored to meet specific needs of the company are Starship, an “application that seamlessly connects order and inventory data, reducing manual entry and errors in shipping or customer service.”(UPS, 2023), connected to UPS. As well as Smartborder, a live software that shows and tracks the inventory of container loads in the warehouse. 

For Benchmark Scientific, generally Microsoft Windows is regarded as effective. It's a popular operating system with a familiar interface and support for a huge number of software programs. For everyday corporate processes including document management, and email correspondence, Windows provides a dependable platform. Due to its user-friendly interface, staff with different degrees of technical skill can use it, which increases overall productivity inside the company. The second main component utilized by the company, QuickBooks also proves to be an effective solution for Benchmark Scientific's structured inventory management process. It offers a comprehensive set of features tailored specifically for tracking inventory, managing purchases and sales, and generating financial reports. And lastly, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, that offers a variety of tools and features tailored specifically for advertising, and brand promotion on the LinkedIn platform, provides powerful targeting options. Which enables Benchmark Scientific to reach a highly relevant audience for its products or services, thus proving to be effective for the company. 

Virtualization (Amanda Dixon)

Virtualization is the process where one main computer serves as the host for different virtual computers (Kroenke & Boyle, 2022). There are three different types of virtualization: PC Virtualization, Server Virtualization and Desktop Virtualization. PC Virtualization occurs when one computer hosts multiple operating systems. An example of this is when one computer can use both Microsoft Windows and Linux simultaneously which can be accomplished by using softwares such as Oracle VirtualBox.

Server Virtualization occurs when a server computer hosts one or more server computers. In this case, the virtual machine that is being hosted by the main server computer appears as an additional window. Desktop virtualization occurs when a server computer hosts different desktop operating systems. This feature enables users to access the desktop from any available computer.

Benchmark uses ITSupport247, a virtualization software that enables selected employees to work remotely. Employees use an app called Authy, a multi factor authenticator, which generates a unique password code needed to access ITSupport247. Using this software allows employees working in Pennsylvania and Germany to access the local computer softwares. In addition, it also provides the local management team the flexibility of working from home.

Open-Source Software and Application (Ashley Amigon Garcia)

           

            Benchmark Scientific uses smartborder.com as an open source. Smart Border was designed from the ground up to increase productivity and customs compliance for low and high-volume brokers, carriers, and importers. (Smart Border, 2024) The company uses it to track container loads. From the minute it is transported till they get to the business. This software is high-speed and automates and simplifies the complex e-commerce import process. Aside from Smart Border, Benchmark uses QuickBooks. As mentioned, it is used to track inventory, and sales, and create quotes. QuickBooks is a desktop and once logged in, everyone can see their progress and sales. 

New Technology (Ryan McKenna)

As new technology comes out and continues to advance companies are going to have to adopt them or they will fall behind their competition. A business like Benchmark Scientific can benefit from implementing new technologies that will help them to improve different aspects of their operation. One technology that would be quite beneficial to the company is called Enterprise Resource Planning systems also called ERP, this system integrates multiple business functions like inventory management, order processing, and accounting into a centralized platform. By using an ERP system, Benchmark Scientific could vastly improve its internal processes, including things like tracking inventory levels in real-time, automatically processing orders, as well as managing the financial transactions of the business more efficiently. Business Intelligence also known as BI and Data Analytics tools would also be good technologies for the company as they offer insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and market dynamics. Benchmark Scientific could use these new technologies to analyze sales data, learn more about their customers preferences, and monitor the industry’s trends to make more well-informed business decisions. This technology can also help them with their online marketing in terms of what is currently trending with consumers. By improving their advertising, they will be able to reach targeted audiences and promote their products more effectively. By embracing these new technologies, Benchmark Scientific can enhance its operational efficiency, improve decision-making processes, and continue to grow their company so that they can stay competitive in the medical equipment industry.

BYOD Policy and MDM Software (Nicholas Luongo)

Benchmark Scientific has implemented a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program that allows employees to use their own devices for work-related activities. The system therefore increases flexibility and productivity by enabling employees to access company resources and perform their work tasks from their own smartphone, tablet, or laptop and uses Benchmark Scientific Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to ensure that these changes will not compromise the security of company data. MDM software is essential in a BYOD environment. It allows the company to control and secure mobile access to the corporate network and sensitive data. MDM software helps enforce security measures, such as requiring devices to be password protected, encrypted, and remotely wipeable if a device is lost or stolen This ensures that personal device consumption role in the project will meet the company’s safety standards. MDM will also allow applications to be monitored across devices and ensure that only approved applications are used and updated with the latest security patches. Additionally, MDM enables secure over-the-air application, data, and configuration settings for all types of mobile devices.

At Benchmark Scientific, BYOD programs supported by MDM software not only increase productivity and employee satisfaction by allowing personal devices in the workplace but also help maintain strict security to protect company assets It is suggested that companies with BYOD policy use MDM software properly reducing potential security risks.