Global Manufacturing is considering a new technology application. The company wants to process orders in a central location and then assign production to different plants. Each plant will operate its own production scheduling and control system. Data on work in process and completed assemblies will be transmitted back to the central location that processes orders. At each plant, Global uses personal computers that perform routine tasks such as payroll and accounting. The production scheduling and control systems will be a package program running on a new computer dedicated to this application. The MIS personnel at Global have retained you as a consultant to help with further analysis.

What kind of network configuration seems most appropriate?

How much bandwidth is needed?

What data should be collected?

Should Global use a private network or can it accomplish its objectives through the Internet?

Prepare a plan showing the information Global must develop to establish this network system.