Hardware and Software Improvements Task Sheet 2

The Impact of IT on Business Systems
Task sheet 2

You work in one of the departments of Future College Solutions. They provide helpful guidance notes for assignments for a fee.

The departments of this business include: Marketing, Finance, Customer Service and Administration.

1. Discuss with colleagues what hardware and software you would like to use in order to improve how you perform your duties in a given department. For example, in any department, a speedy internet connection or fast processor would make research and general operations of all kinds more efficient. Or having light and portable devices might make staff less tied to a particular desk or office and encourage collaboration. You can assume that the current set-up in your office is a bit dated!

2. Summarise the key changes you’d recommend – at least two should be hardware improvements or acquisitions and two regarding software.

3. Be prepared to explain your recommendations and research some typical costs for the updates or upgrades or purchases so you can estimate the cost impact on the business.

4. Consider also any potential problems or barriers to improvement that might be encountered and the how these might be overcome.

Sample output:

• What I / we use in our department 
• A list of recommended improvements or purchases 
• Costs 
• Barriers to change and possible solutions