Network Plan

The Project

I have decided to do the Bargain Booze project.  This seems the most logical of choices as there are many more options to explore.  It is the project that has the biggest need for change.  I also have the most information and knowledge about this business and can therefore make much better recommendations.  

I have personal experience of working within a few Bargain Booze shops around Stoke on Trent, I have also been a customer in other similar shops.  I know the system well and all of its weaknesses and spent many hours thinking about how it could be improved.  I still have access to the shops and the systems used as well as having friends that still work there.  

There are three main layouts in the shop and these are shown on the next page.  These are extremely important to look at in relation to the proposed topologies for the network.  

Resources

Each site has similar needs because of the basic Bargain Booze layout of having a few tills at each site.  As shown on the next page, the three main layouts used in Stoke on Trent use either one or two computers.  

The computers that run the till software need to be fairly new to be capable of handling the associated hardware – 2GB RAM and a 100GB hard drive would be consider minimum to hold the necessary information from sales.  Peripherals used should be wireless so that there are no unnecessary wires when the mouse and keyboard can be stored away.   Each till needs specialist till equipment – software, scanner, till drawer, price display, and keyboard and receipt printer.  There is also a need for lasers printers as the current dot matrix printers are slow and provide bad quality print outs.

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Bargain Booze has also requested enhanced security to include CCTV running separately from the till systems, preferably handled externally.  There should also be motion sensors and multiple panic buttons where all staff can access them.  This should be available as a security bundled from an external company.  

The actual network is quite simple for Bargain Booze.  The most expensive needs of Bargain Booze are the routers at each site.  Cat 5 cables are needed to connect between the router and the computers.  An engineering kit to actually install the network would also be needed.

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