Recommend components
Sources of information 2 Computer magazines 2
Technical specifications 4
System requirements 5
Licensing requirements 6
Organisational requirements 7
Evaluation criteria 8
Documenting your recommendations 9
Summary 11 Check your progress 11
Reading: Recommend components 1 2005
Sources of information
How do you start evaluating the large range of computer products?
To select a product from suppliers, manufacturers publish technical specifications for their products. These specifications will vary depending on the particular component. For example, when looking at hard drives you will compare specifications such as data storage capacity and how fast the hard drive can access data. If you are looking at a graphics card, you will look at specifications such as the amount of memory and what interface is used.
There are many sources of information where you can find out about technical specifications and other features, as well as reviews on products.
Computer magazines Computer magazines are a good source of current information and most regularly test-drive hardware components and review software releases and make recommendations. Several popular publications are listed below.
Byte available at: http://www.byte.com/
APC available at: http://www.apcmag.com/
PC World available at: http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/
PC User available at: http://www.pcuser.com.au/
ZDnet available at: http://www.zdnet.com/
Newspapers
Most newspapers have an IT section once a week. For example The Australian newspaper has an IT section every Wednesday.
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Manufacturers and vendors
Manufacturers will usually have product information and specification sheets or product data sheets. Some manufacturers have product selection guides to assist in the selection of the most suitable product for a particular task. These can usually be accessed from the manufacturer’s website. Manufacturers may also be able to tell you who supplies their product within your area.
As well, vendors (who are the suppliers or sellers of products) may be contacted and it may be possible to arrange an on-site demonstration of the product.
The Internet
The Internet has many sources of information including manufacturer websites, online computer magazines, product review sites and user forums.
Software evaluation versions
For software purchases many software suppliers provide evaluation versions available for download from their website. This allows staff to conduct their own independent evaluation of the product. The evaluation versions may have fewer features than the full commercial version, or they may operate for a limited period of time, such as 30 days.
Other sources
Trade associations and professional associations can be a valuable reference source for identifying software offered for a specific line of business.
As well, there are: the Yellow Pages (Internet and telephone directory) IT exhibitions.
Reading: Recommend components 3 2005
Technical specifications
When comparing products, particularly hardware components, you will need to read the technical specification sheets produced by manufacturers. If you are unsure of the meaning of any specification used, the PC Webopedia website (at http://www.pcwebopedia.com/) is a good place to start to find a definition of a term.
A benchmark is an objective test or measurement that can be used to compare two or more competing products. Benchmarks are a popular way to compare hardware products, but they are also useful for software packages or computer systems. Benchmarks are objective evaluation criteria, which means that they are measurable and not influenced by personal opinion.
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System requirements
For both hardware and software components you will need to ensure that any minimum system requirements are met. You will find this information at manufacturer’s websites.
For software you will need to ensure that your system meets minimum requirements for: the type and speed of the processor memory available disk space operating system for hardware components you will need to ensure compatibility with the existing system processor — ensure motherboard support for new CPU is available memory — ensure type and size is compatible with the motherboard hard drives and optical drives — ensure that there is an available drive bay, power cable and interface connection. expansion cards — ensure that there is a suitable expansion slot for installation of the expansion card.
Reading: Recommend components 5 2005
Licensing requirements
When evaluating software, the cost of the product will be determined by how many licences are required. A license is a legal agreement to use software and the exact terms of the agreement vary.
An important part of managing software licences is to purchase the right types and mix of licences. Software licenses are offered as follows: a site licence for a number of computers at a particular office a licence assigned to a specific computer a licence assigned to one specific user.
If you are evaluating software, the cost of the software is directly related to the number of licences that need to be purchased. It is therefore important that part of your evaluation process is to accurately determine how many licences are required. Typically, the cost per user decreases as you have more users. For example, a popular anti-virus software application has the following pricing:
1-User $74 $74.00 per user
3-User $112 $37.33 per user
5-User $169 $33.80 per user
Another point to consider is that some software applications will have different pricing structures for either an upgrade or a new install. To purchase software at the upgrade price, you must have a licence for an earlier version of the software.
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Organisational requirements
Companies may establish computer product standards to limit the number of hardware and software choices. By establishing standards, companies can achieve the following:
have compatible products
limit parts inventories
limit support costs.
In terms of hardware, companies can establish standards for new hardware purchases with respect to minimum configurations and preferred suppliers. For example a company may specify the following minimum configuration:
Windows PC Apple Macintosh
Processor: PowerPC G4 processor Desktop – Intel 2.6GHz Laptop – Intel M 1.4GHz 700 MHz
256MB RAM 256 MB RAM
40GB Hard drive 40GB hard drive
10/100/1000 Ethernet card 10/100/1000 Ethernet card
3-year, next day, on-site warranty 2-year, next day, on-site warranty
Similarly, companies establish standards for software configurations. This lessens both support costs and licensing costs.
When evaluating hardware or software components, these organisational guidelines must be adhered to.
Similarly companies may also have preferred suppliers, that is, vendors that must be used when any components are purchased.
Reading: Recommend components 7 2005
Evaluation criteria
When evaluating the hardware or software component, you will firstly need to decide on the evaluation criteria. The criteria used would be based on several factors including: The specific type of hardware or software product being evaluated. Evaluation articles in magazines are an excellent source of ideas for criteria to use when evaluating specific products. The needs of end users — does the product have all features required by the end users? Support issues such as what warranty comes with the product. Cost — last but not least.
The following table gives examples of criteria that could be used for evaluation of a product.
Category Criteria
Hardware or Processing speed of a CPU software Storage capacity of hard drive Software capabilities Compatibility with existing systems Upgradeability End user needs Ease of use Ease of learning Does the product meet all mandatory features? Does the product have any desirable features? Support issues What technical support is available for the product? What assistance is given during installation? Is any training in the use of the product provided? What documentation is supplied with the product? Is the product compatible with existing platforms? Cost Total cost of ownership (TCO) The total cost of ownership is a type of calculation that assesses both the direct and indirect costs related to the purchase of computer software or hardware. For example, when considering the purchase of a printer, the ongoing costs of consumable items such as printer cartridges would be need to be considered.
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Documenting your recommendations
You have researched the requirements for your new hardware or software and now you need to document your findings.
Typically, your report will be presented as a matrix that presents the component manufacturer horizontally and evaluation criteria vertically. For examples of evaluations, visit the website of any computer magazine and search for reviews. One useful website for reviews is ZDnet at: http://www.zdnet.com/
The following is a template that you could use to present your recommendations. To use the template you would need to add details of the products evaluated, manufacturer or supplier details and list vertically all evaluation.
Reading: Recommend components 9 2005
Selection template
Component required
Brief description
Manufacturer 1 Manufacturer 2 Manufacturer 3
Model Number
Price
Supplier
Contact details
Internet details
Technical specifications (or software feature)
Spec 1
Spec 2
Spec 3
Spec 4
Spec 5
Bundled software
Training
Technical support
Warranty
RECOMMENDATION
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Summary
New releases of computer products, including hardware components, software applications and operating systems are constantly changing. In this reading you have looked at sources of information to use when you start researching the available hardware or software.
Manufacturers publish technical specifications for their products. For hardware components this will include performance considerations such as data transfer rate. For software, it will also include a list of features included in the application.
When making your recommendation, you will need to consider the system requirements, licensing requirements and organisational requirements.
The next step is to determine you evaluation criteria and present your recommendations to the appropriate person.
Check your progress Now you should try and do the Practice activities in this topic. If you’ve already tried them, have another go and see if you can improve your responses.
When you feel ready, try the ‘Check your understanding’ activity in the Preview section of this topic. This will help you decide if you’re ready for assessment.
Reading: Recommend components 11 2005