Feasibility Report
Prepared by
Nathan Hartwig
Chief Information Officer
Submitted to
Clamp Industrial
Executive Staff & Board of Directors
August 27, 2018
Contents
Purpose and Overview …………………………………………………………………………1
Existing Problem …………………………………………………………..……………1
Solutions/Alternatives ………………………………………………………………………….2
Criteria……………………………………………………………………………...…….2
Evaluation ……………………………………………………………………….………2
Recommendation ……………………………………………………………………………….4
Plan of implementation …………………………………………………………...……4
Appendixes ………………………………………………………………………………..…….6
Appendix A: Criteria Table …………………………………………………………….6
References ………………………………………………………………………………………7
Purpose and Overview of Report Organization
The purpose of this report is to discuss and review problems with our current process
for sharing information within our manufacturing organization. Our employees share
thousands of files each day, and improvements to our file sharing process will save
time, money, and improve efficiency. The first section of this report will cover our current
system for sharing company files and the need for a new system. The second part of
this report will present an overview of 3 different solutions which have been researched
and selected for evaluation, followed by the criteria used to assess the alternatives and
an overall evaluation of the solutions. The final section of this report will contain the
recommendation based on the evaluation. The recommendation section will include a
plan for implementation and training.
Problem
It has been brought to my attention that our current system of sharing organizational
information is not efficient. Currently, files are being e-mailed or managers visit the
department with the report. We have an organizational database which stores most
reports and files, but the number of files and reports on the program is so broad that
most managers are unable to locate information outside of their department on the
database. This has led to delays in production and management decisions. Also, our
current system has resulted in an overflow of emails in our managers accounts. This
has made it difficult for employees to sort through their emails. Despite the best effort of
employees, many emails are lost or deleted. This has led to confusion and unnecessary
delays.
Managers also frequently share files and reports during meetings. Most managers have
up to 3 meetings a day. Some meetings are in person, others are over the internet using
Skype. In an article for Accounting Today, August Aquila stated (2018), “The quality of
meetings can impact the firm’s progress”. Currently, managers send out e-mails of the
sales and production orders to be discussed in upcoming meetings. A new system will
increase visibility of these reports during meetings. The new process must be secure.
According to Michael Kerner (2018), “The average cost of a data breach is now $3.86
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million”. Managers need a safe and efficient system for relaying organizational
information.
Potential Solutions
I have researched several solutions. The three alternatives are:

Dropbox Business Cloud Storage Subscription: Online cloud storage. Supports
up to 3 TB of files per user. Has tools for sharing and downloading files. Will
allow managers to upload files into the cloud to be viewed anytime and anywhere
(Dropbox, 2018).

Acer Aspire E15 15.6” Full HD Laptop: 256 GB Laptop with HD display and an i5
processor. Contains two 4 GB RAM cards and an 8th generation Intel Core i5
processor (Amazon, 2018).

SanDisk Cruzer CZ36 64 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive: USB flash drive. Stores up to
64 GB of files and reports. Contains password protection (Amazon, 2018).
Criteria
The criteria I will use to make my final product recommendation are:

Price

Portability and size

Security and encryption.

Storage space

Convenience and speed
Evaluation
Appendix 1 shows the breakdown of all the criteria for the each of the proposed
solutions. At $600.00/unit (Amazon, 2018), the laptop has the highest starting cost.
However, it receives high marks in other categories. According to Tom Brant of PC
Magazine (2018), “The Acer Aspire offers excellent value and long battery life”. The
Acer laptop is designed for portability. The laptop has an integrated webcam. Files on
the laptop can be encrypted or protected by password. The Acer laptop offers 256 GB
of storage. The laptop would solve our problem by allowing managers to display their
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screens during meetings. Instead of e-mailing or printing reports, managers could
simply project their files onto a monitor during in person meetings or present their
screen with Skype during remote meetings. Furthermore, the laptops could be utilized
when managers are traveling to other locations but need to stay connected with their
team. The Acer laptop comes with a free basic version of Dropbox. The basic version
can hold up to 2 GB of storage per user.
The next product under consideration is the SanDisk Cruzer USB flash drive. At $12.99
per unit (Amazon, 2018), the flash drive is the cheapest solution out of the alternatives.
With plenty of storage space, USB drives would help managers carry data with them to
meetings. Sharing files would be as easy as plugging the USB stick into any laptop or
computer. The SanDisk flash drive permits password encryption (Amazon, 2018). If the
device is lost, files on the flash drive require a password to be opened. However, the
Julia Collins (2018), warns us that even deleted files on USB drives are usually
retrievable, so password protection is critical for confidential company information.
Since all files on flash drives must remain on the physical device, this alternative will not
completely solve our issue with file-sharing. USB flash drives will only supplement our
current system of sharing files through e-mail and Skype.
The final alternative is a Dropbox Business Cloud subscription. According to
Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries (2018), in the recent years, “Dropbox was a
leading provider of cloud-based data storage solutions”. Since cloud storage is not in a
physical location, this solution is the most portable. Using cloud services, users can
share files and data from anywhere with an internet connection. The standard
subscription costs 12.99 per month and provides up to 3 TB of memory per user
(Dropbox, 2018). Users can use Dropbox to upload files and reports and organize them
for convenient retrieval. According to Global IP News (2018), “Users can access or edit
any object displayed in the virtual drive”. Dropbox enables other managers to interact
with the files in the cloud and view the information they need. Dropbox also allows for
password encryption to protect sensitive company information. Dropbox can also be
utilized for backing up and storing files. Cloud storage will assist in file sharing and
reduce the amount of company emails.
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Product Recommendation
Based on the above criteria, I recommend purchasing Acer Aspire E15 laptops. The
laptops will improve our current system and free our managers from their desktops. The
Acer Aspire E15 laptop is the best solution for several reasons:

Files can be shared through Skype or projected onto screens.

Cloud accessible

Easy to use

Secure

Portable

Manager remains connected to organization
With portability, cloud storage, and security protection, the Acer Aspire E15 offers the
best of all worlds. The laptops have the highest initial cost, but according to The Times
(2018), the Aspire E 15 “delivers the performance of many pricier models”. The large
storage system will allow managers to carry around necessary reports and files.
Laptops will not only assist managers in sharing company data, they will also allow
managers to access their own files and organizational software outside of their office.
Managers can leave their desks and still access organizational information. During
meetings, file sharing will be as easy a plugging an HDMI connector cord into their
computer to share their screen. In many cases, managers will not have to e-mail or
download files from other co-workers anymore. Meetings will run smoother and more
efficiently.
Plan for Implementation
The implementation process will take three steps. First, the laptops will be purchased,
and our IT department will load the appropriate software and basic cloud storage onto
each device. Second, managers will receive the laptops and will be trained by IT on
security and proper usage. A training session by the IT department will be held to
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instruct managers on cloud storage and answer general questions. After the training
session, IT will follow up with managers during the week of training to resolve any
issues with the new system.
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References
Amazon product page. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-i58250UGeForceE5576G5762/dp/B075FLBJV7/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_bs_lp_t_1?_enco
ding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RDWHBRXYWZQ8PERMK3F0
Amazon product page. (2018). Retrieved fromhttps://www.amazon.com/ gp/product/
B007JR5304/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_bDDqV_cr_x__w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX
0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandisedsearch3&pf_rd_r=QAECX8BJZSD69WGT309C&p
f_rd_r=QAECX8BJZSD69WGT309C&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=ecb45b21-23235691-82bb-2d9d22a13330&pf_rd_p=ecb45b21-2323-5691-82bb2d9d22a13330&pf_rd_i=3151491
Aquila, A. (June 28, 2018). Not another bloody meeting. Accounting today. Retrieved
from Factiva database.
Brant, T. (June 2018). Acer aspire E 15: Best value desktop replacement. PC
Magazine. Retrieved from EBSCO business source database.
Bridge, M. (August 16, 2018). Big tech on a small budget; Mark Bridge tracks down the
best buys for essential gadgets to see you through your studies. The Times.
Retrieved from Business Insights: Global database.
Collins, J. C. (August 1, 2018). Having fun with thumb drives (and USB hubs). Journal
of Accountancy. Retrieved from EBSCO business source database.
Dropbox home page. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.dropbox.com/business
Dropbox Inc Secure Patent on System, Method and Computer Program for Enabling a
User to Access and Edit Via a Virtual Drive Objects Synchronized to a Plurality of
Synchronization Clients (August 21, 2018). Global IP News. Retrieved from
Business Insights: Global database.
Kerner, M. S. (July 11, 2018). IBM pegs mega breach cost at $350M, as average
breach cost hits $3.9M. eWeek. Retrieved from EBSCO business source
database.
Storage Networking. (2018). Encyclopedia of Emerging Industries. Retrieved from
Business Insights: Global database.
What, in your opinion, is the best historical example of something over the past three centuries that stands as a positive
example of what we should seek to replicate as a nation going forward?
What, in your opinion, is the best historical example of something over the past three centuries that stands as a negative
example of what we should seek to avoid as a nation going forward?
I believe the protectionist tariffs which helped cause the civil war stands as the most negative example of what we as a
nation should seek to avoid. Before the civil war, tariffs on foreign manufactured goods were generally high while tariffs on
raw materials were typically low. This system benefited the North since their production was protected against foreign
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competition. However, the system harshly impacted the South since not only were manufactured goods more expensive
since the cost of tariffs was passed on to them, but also because the South faced foreign competition. To make matters
worse, revenues from tariffs were largely for the benefit of Northern development of canals and railroads. In our current
political structure, many politicians create legislation which please their party. As a nation, we need to be sure that our
political system is fair and equitable for all people.
Appendix A
Feasibility Report
Criteria Table
Criteria
Dropbox Cloud
Acer Laptop
Price/unit
12.99/month
$599.99
Portability and
Size
No Size
Fits in laptop bag or
sizeable briefcase
Fits in pocket
Storage Size
Convenience
3 TB
High
256 GB
High
64 GB
Medium
Security and
encryption
Yes
Yes
Yes
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SanDisk Flash
Drive
$12.99