Introduction
Bead Bar is a company that was founded by Meredith in 1998. Its first branch was in New Canaan, Connecticut. The basic idea behind this was to let customers create their bead jewelry through their innovativeness and creativity. The designers use locally available materials such as wires and stones to make the jewels. The Bead Bar has developed to have three divisions that consist of studios, franchises, and Bead Bar on Board.
The studio division’s main objective is to manage the six bead bar studios that are located in New York City (two), and one each in Long Island, Washington D.C., and Boston, Massachusetts. The franchise division’s main objective is to supply and sell a bead package to any business that intends to start its bead bar studio. There are five franchises, Missouri; Chicago, Miami, Florida Illinois; Los Angeles, California; Seattle, and Kansas City. The Bead Bar on Board is a portable Bead Bar designed especially for cruise ships. The Company is composed of 15 full-time employees and 20 part-time employees. (Malanga, 2005)
Background
Due to diverse divisions this company has grown and the paper-based system has had many shortcomings such as lost orders, incorrect invoicing, and supply delays (Malaga, 2005)
This company would benefit a lot if an information system is installed. This will keep up-to-date and accurate information on orders, products, inventory, and account activity. Through this, there would be easy access to information on stock, supply and ensure the confidentiality of the customer. This will make it easy for decisions to be made and incorporated. (Malanga, 2005)
Recommendations
There are always the advantages and disadvantages of any kind of network. But, the most important issues to consider are reliability and its capabilities. The cost of its development and the cost of running the kind of network topology and its architecture should also be brought to deliberations. The divisions are wide and far, hence a kind of network is required to enable all the divisions to communicate with each other.
The kind of equipment and software that are available and those that can be acquired should also be placed into considerations: their licenses and mode of use. The speed of the network and the amount of information that it can carry should also be placed into consideration. The security and the confidentiality of both the company information and customer should be brought into thought. (Jeff, 2005)
Network Topology
A network topology is a way that devices are laid out and connected to a network. In the Bead Bar case, the mesh topology is the most preferred. This kind of network topology is cost-effective and suites all the conditions of the directors. Mesh topology allows information to travel in both directions hence transmit data forth and back. (Marangu, 1999)
The Bead Bar divisions are located in different places in the United States and the data send should be able to move fast and the information should be efficient. Since there is no hub, this kind of topology is highly reliable. Data transfer should be fast and this is solved by mesh topology.
Network Architecture
Client/server architecture is the best for Bead Bar’s Network since it facilitates WANs that will work under TCP/IP. This assigns computers to provide process requests, act as a client and provide specific services. The client/server is powerful and multiple requests can be made simultaneously. It also stores information from the client which can also be shared. (Marangu, 1999) Since it works under TCP/IP protocols there is confidentiality on the information of the client and the integrity of the company data.
Network Advantages and Drawbacks
A strong and reliable kind of networking system is important and this is met by the mesh topology. The mesh topology’s speed and efficiency of communication are important to this company because of the distances between the locations. The computers are also connected, this fulfilled the condition of the directors for each computer to be connected with the other. There is no hub and this increases the speed and efficiency of transmission. No drawbacks are associated with this topology. The client/server architecture restricts the company information and access to important company data. If a branch requires some information they have to request the information through the proper channels. (Jeff, 2005)
Conclusion
An information system would improve the bottom line for the Bead Bar company by increased revenue from reduced invoice error, filling orders promptly, reduce the number of employees needed to process paperwork as the company expands, ensure supply meets demand, faster product and revenue turnaround, and add the potential for expansion due to greater customer satisfaction and increased internet sales.
Based on all networking recommendations that have been made, the Bead Bar will be able to run its business more efficiently. With proper networking, now the database can run properly. The executives at the Bead Bar will be quite pleased once they see results from the changes because the business will grow as a direct result of increased communication because of the networking topology and architecture. (Malanga, 2005).
Reference
Jeff, K. (2005). Computer Networking. London: Oxford Press.
Malaga, R. A. (2005). Information systems technology. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Marangu, J. (1999). World of Networking. New York: New York Press.