1. Rick Williams asked you to suggest software products that can provide network management features suitable for a network with 25–50 users. You can use the Internet to research the topic.

2. In the Background section of the SWL case, you learned that True Blue Systems had recommended a local area network to link the various headquarters departments to the SWL mainframe. Should a wireless network have been considered? Your task is to research wireless network products and submit a recommendation for a WLAN installation, supported by an explanation of wireless advantages and possible limitations. Be sure to consider flexibility, scalability, and security issues.

3. Assume that the recommendation you made in the preceding task was accepted. Now you have been asked to develop a specific budget for a WLAN that would consist of 50 workstations. You need to research the TCO of this project, including the cost of hardware, software, installation, and maintenance. You can make reasonable assumptions where you might not have specific facts, but you should state those assumptions clearly.

4. Michael Jeremy, finance vice president, has been reading about cloud computing in his favorite IT magazine, and he is considering the possibility of using the concept at SWL. He asked you to answer the following questions: What would be the benefits of a cloud computing architecture? What would be the disadvantages? What are examples of cloud computing services currently available? Perform research on the Internet and prepare a brief report for him.

Jane Rossman, manager of applications, and Rick Williams, systems analyst, had several meetings with True Blue Systems, the consulting firm hired to assist SWL in implementing the new ESIP system. Michael Jeremy, SWL’s finance vice president, requested that True Blue also make recommendations about a possible SWL intranet to link all SWL locations and support client/server architecture.