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1. Introduction

Sophisticated Information Technology (IT) infrastructures for business world are very important nowadays. Changes for excellence solution for latest and sophisticated IT infrastructures are crucial to all company in the world in order to expand and compete with the rivals in similar business field. A feasible solution in term of security performance and cost has to be considered when the management decide to choose a right technology at the right time and places for their business solutions. TescoSoftSdn. !hd. was established in "### and one of the largest retailer companies in $alaysia beside competitors li%e &iant Tesco 'usco and Carrefour. The company has several departments which are (uman )esources Accounting $ar%eting Customer Service and *ogistics. +ach department operates their day to day tas%s and business support on their own IT infrastructures which also %nown as an ,Island of information phenomena-. These resulted in a high redundancy of data and inability of sharing valuable information amongst the departments in the company. The company re.uired changes and have to formulate solutions to overcome the problems faced in order to compete with the giant rivals of retailer companies in $alaysia. The C+/ decided to revamp the existing IT infrastructures in the company. (ence this paper will be a proposal report for implementation of IT infrastructure for TescoSoftSdn. !hd. which prepared by the IT management team and to be submitted to the C+/.

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2. Objective Of The Proposed Solutions

The ob0ective of this proposal is to provide solutions to the existing IT infrastructures to streamline entire business operations in the company regardless of their geographical location and departments that expanded globally. This will enable important data sharing and exchanges between all available departments at all branches whenever and wherever they need it with immediate access. A feasible solution in term of security performance and cost effective has to be considered when selecting and implementing the suitable IT infrastructure solutions for the company. 1ith a suitable and better IT infrastructures all daily tas%s for different department in the company will become smoother and easier. An island of information phenomena a high redundancy of data and improper integration between the departments will be eliminated at the same time.

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3. Required Chan es

As the company expanded globally changes for IT infrastructure need to be done on relevant elements such as hardware software and the people. Changes must be ta%en in line with a robust technology development in IT sector. Therefore thorough research and investigations was carried out to find the best solutions for the changes with optimum performance cost effective and meet the ob0ectives or re.uirements by all departments in the company. The main IT infrastructure are including a Computer (2C) Application software 3ata storage Server 4etwor% and the IT expert personnel such as a 2rogrammer System Analyst Software +ngineer and IT Technician. Computer or a 2ersonal Computer (2C) is the main infrastructure that needed for IT solution.

3.1. !ard"are

(ardware is a physical component of the computer system in form of computer hardware devices. (ardware is a comprehensive term for all of the physical parts of a computer as distinguished from the data it contains or operates on and the software that provides instructions for the hardware to accomplish tas%s. A typical computer hardware are including a C25 2rocessor motherboard monitor mouse %eyboard data storage ((ard dis% drive) )A$ C36)/$ or /ptical disc drive +xpansion cards and 2ower supply unit. There are various types of computer and hardware in the mar%et from a different supplier brands such as (2 Intel AC+) 3+** S/47 A$3 etc. with a different price ranges. Selecting a suitable computer and the hardware components are based on the needs of the user which comes with better performance multitas%ing productivity cost effective and user friendly. The most important aspect is the user can performs their daily tas% faster and efficient to cope with the business needs in the company. 8or TescoSoft medium performance hardware with least costs
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CBCT2203 that suitable for )etailer industries will be selected. This is very important to avoid unnecessary cost spending on high end or over6capacity products.

3.2. Soft"are

Software is defined as a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. In other words it is a set of programs procedures algorithms and documentation. Computer software are includes Application software System software 8irmware Testware 2rogramming software 3atabase &raphics software and much more. There are various types of application software available in the mar%et. The latest and better application software li%e $icrosoft /ffice "##9 and "#:# are very common and easy to use. 8or /perating system $icrosoft 1indows are commonly used instead of 54I; *inux or $ac /S because it is user friendly and cheaper. 8or !usiness software solutions ,Sage 5!S- software is the best solution because it is widely used for (uman )esource (()) and 2ayroll Accounting as well as for Stoc% and Invoicing. In some other company ,2eopleSoft- software is used for the () and 2ayroll management system. Security system software such as Symantec <aspers%y $cAfee A=& etc. is also very important for software solution selection. This will prevent data lose due to virus attac% or hac%ed by un%nown personnel. Selecting the suitable software in term of excellence technology better performance and cost effective for 2C application is based on the needs and of each department.

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3.3. The Peoples

Competent personnel or people wor%ing with the new IT infrastructure in the company must be considered too because only .ualified and experience people can optimi>ed the capabilities of the systems for the business re.uirements. 4ew .ualified peoples are needed to be hired to fill all of the 0ob needs in this sector or department. All of the peoples signing for the new 0ob positions will report directly to the IT $anager. 2roposed new 0ob positions with the .ualifications that needed are stated below? :. Software Engineer: )e.uired a 3iploma or 3egree or higher related .ualification in Computer Science study with at least " years of wor%ing experience in similar field. ". Hardware Engineer: )e.uired a 3iploma or 3egree or higher relate .ualification in Computer Science study with at least " years of wor%ing experiences in similar field. @. Programmer Analyst: )e.uired a 3egree or higher related .ualification in Computer Science study with at least @ years of wor%ing experiences in similar field or e.uivalent. A. Graphic Designer: )e.uired a 3egree or higher related .ualification in Computer Science study with at least " years of wor%ing experiences in similar field. B. Web Developer/Designer: )e.uired a 3egree or higher related .ualification in Computer Science study with at least " years of wor%ing experiences in similar field. C. ! !echnicians: )e.uired a certificate or 3iploma holder in ICT or Computer science study or any related disciplines with at least : year experiences or a fresh graduate. 9. "etwor# Engineer: )e.uired a 3iploma or 3egree or higher relate .ualification in Computer Science study or any related discipline with at least " years of wor%ing experiences in similar field or a fresh graduate. D. ! Administration: )e.uired a certificate or 3iploma holder in ICT or Computer science study or any related disciplines with at least : year experiences or a fresh graduate.
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CBCT2203 !esides hiring new competent peoples for the new positions in the company training will be given to all existing staffs or users on operating the 2C or the new IT infrastructures by .ualified trainer internally as well as externally.

#. $nticipatin Challen es

The company needs to loo% out for any probable challenges when revamping existing IT infrastructure. This is very important to eliminate any unnecessary factors that might be existed during and after the revamping pro0ect. There are three main anticipating challenges that the company needs to loo% out for such as cost expertise and to find or choose the most suitable latest technology to fulfil the companyEs goals. In order to choose the best IT infrastructures that suites these criteria a selection committee have to be formed which including all departmentEs head and chaired by the C+/.

#.1 Costs

Any business in the world existed because of profit. The most cost effective the company the more profitable the business will. Cost effective driven company will focused on the optimi>ation of their available manpower infrastructures and operations with lower expenditure. The company can gives training for the available employees on the uses of the new IT infrastructures instead of hiring a new staff. This will help to reduce cost on human capital or over6manpower in the company and at the same time will motivating the employeeEs morale. Cost for communications such as the needs for internets telephones video conference room and networ%ing must be focused too. The company has to find and choose the most suitable telecommunication provider that can offer the best suite to the needs. The available telecommunication providers such as 'aring C+*C/$ 3i&i $A;IS and T$4+T will gives different price pac%ages.
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#.2 S%ills and &'pertise

/ptimi>ation of the new sophisticated IT infrastructure operations will only be reali>ed by talented competent and .ualified peoples. Sophisticated infrastructures revamps will be useless if nobody %now how to use it to the optimum. 7ounger generations are exposed to the uses of IT gadgets li%e 2C 4oteboo%s and most of the applications nowadays. 7oung existing staffs in the company easily trained to master their s%ills in the new ICT infrastructure while the middle ages and older staffs will benefits by learning the s%ills from their younger colleagues and peers. Thes%ills of using this new IT infrastructure can be developed in the company through a proper training sessions conducted by both internal and external .ualified trainers.

#.3 To (ind $nd Choose )atest Suitable Technolo *

There are various types models and brands of an IT infrastructure available in the mar%ets. To find and choose the most suitable infrastructures with lowest costs but latest technology to suites the company needs is not an easy tas%. 8or example a 3es%top 2C running with Intel 2entium II processor :"D<! )A$ "@@$(> Speeds and CA&! memory are difficult to find in the mar%et or maybe with a higher cost to obtain even to maintain it is not a suitable choice for the company. There are various IT infrastructure suppliers such as (ewlett62ac%ard ((2) AC+) 3+** S/47 A$3 Asus 8u0itsu Compa. (itachi I!$ and many more. They can afford to give best price offer for their products in pac%ages including services.

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+. Obtainin Solutions

In order to obtain a suitable IT infrastructure with latest technology and lower costs the company has to focus the three challenges as mentioned in topic A above. The most suitable 2C to be chosen is a 3es%top with a !usiness !asic and multitas%ing type compared to a 4oteboo% or *aptop because the components and parts are compatible regardless of the models and manufacturer. Spares and component for 3es%top 2C are easy to find in the mar%et and cheaper compare to 4oteboo%s. The company can save or reduce cost on hiring a new staff by giving proper trainings to their existing staff to avoid over6manpower and ineffective human capital issue. To obtain the most suitable telecommunications provider T$4+T $alaysia will gives a lowest price pac%ages with various choice of latest technology for the company compare to all other providers. Their services are including (igh Speed !roadband Access ((S!!) =oice 3ata Customi>ed and )egulated Services. These will meet the company needs for telecommunication service for both internally and externally. A ,)ing 4etwor% Topology- can be chose for networ%ing layout within the company premises to eliminate cost of external networ% uses for internal telecommunication solution. A )ing4etwor% topology is set up in a circular fashion in which data travels around the ring in one direction and each device on the right acts as a repeater to %eep the signal strong as it travels. +ach device incorporates a receiver for the incoming signal and a transmitter to send the data on to the next device in the ring. The networ% is dependent on the ability of the signal to travel around the ring.The company also can consider the following criteria for obtaining the IT infrastructures such as buying leasing or renting. 8or a long run buying is the best solution because it is cheaper compare to leasing or renting. 1e have a full control over it besides ability to change the components anytime. The disadvantages for buying is costs for starting up will be

CBCT2203 higher compare to renting and leasing ris% of obsolescence and full responsible on the components. Second option is leasingF where still cheaper compare to renting but more expensive compare to buying. 4o capital is tied up and no financing is re.uired but the company cannot own it at the end of the day. The third option is rentingF where the cost is very because the vendor considers the ris%s is high. Advantages for renting is no capital tied up no financing re.uired and easy to change the system at any time but the company cannot own it at the end of the day. Competent talented and .ualified person can optimi>e the capabilities of the sophisticated IT infrastructures. This can be reali>ed by hiring a new .ualified and competent staffs and to provide intensive trainings for the existing talented staffs in the company. Topic @.@ described details for hiring new staffs while intensive trainings provided and conducted by IT suppliers providers IT consultants externally and internally within the company will be the solutions for obtaining s%illed and competent personnel. 8or examples (2 will conduct training for /perations and $aintenance of their supplied products and ,SA&+ Consultant- will conduct training for uses of their software products. The company also can hire an external IT consultant to give internal training for their staff on $icrosoft /ffices products. There are various IT Infrastructure suppliers or vendors available such as (ewlett62ac%ade ((2) AC+) 3+** S/47 A$3 Asus 8u0itsu Compa. (itachi I!$ and many more. They can afford to give lower price offer for their products in pac%ages including onsite services. The company can consider purchasing all needed IT infrastructures from only one supplier or provider because they can afford to give a lower price pac%ages for various types of products in bul% instead of creating a custom infrastructure. Initial cost of purchasing ,commercial off6the6 shelf- (C/TS) pac%ages from specified provider or vendor normally low capabilities of theproducts already proven because it has been used by another company or firms and comes with services training or help in pac%age. The challenges to create a custom infrastructure such as higher initial cost on6going maintenance cost and necessity of hiring or wor% with new development team will be faced by the company. 8rom the table shown above obviously indicates a large price difference when we decide to purchase all6in6one pac%age and to custom build a 2C. That is only for a 2C excluding the
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CBCT2203 server networ%ing wor%manship and services. The supplier li%e (2 willing to reduce the price per unit of their product when purchasing the C/TS pac%age in bul% and comes together with technical supports and trainings. 1e can save a large sum of money when decide to purchase the entire IT infrastructure from only one specific supplier or vendor li%e (2.

,. Conclusion

Changes for excellence solution for latest and sophisticated IT infrastructures are crucial to all company in the world in order to expand and compete with the rivals in similar business field. TescoSoftSdn. !hd. need to do changes and find a best solution to ascertain IT infrastructures in order to stay on par to its rival competitors such as &iant Tesco 'usco and Carrefour in the retail business. +lement such as ,Island of information phenomena- a high redundancy of data and inability of sharing valuable information amongst the departments in the company will be eliminated through the analysisE done for preparing this proposal. The three main elements relevant to the company and re.uired for the changes proposal li%e the hardware software and the people have been considered and discussed. The company need to evaluate and select the best solutions for the hardware and software besides creating and hire a new competent staff in order to optimi>e the capabilities of the new IT infrastructureEs performance. 2robable challenges that might be faced by the company to revamp the existing IT infrastructure li%e costs s%ills and choosing the best solution that suit the needs of the company has discussed and decided. The company have to purchase all needed infrastructures only from supplier orvendor li%e (2 because they willing to give a special discount at the lowest rates which comes in pac%ages. Therefore the company will save cost on obtaining a custom6made infrastructure li%e 2C in bul%. The C+/ decision to revamp the existing IT infrastructures in the company will be reali>ed. (ence the evaluating committee will be formed to do the selection and evaluating wor% for the proposed solutions. The people that should involve will be all of the department heads the usersE representative from each department and the systems analysts. This team will be lead by the IT
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CBCT2203 manager and chaired by the C+/ of the company. The committee will do the evaluation and selection on the following criteria? :. 2erformance effectiveness efficiency ". (ardware and software supports @. Installation and training supports A. $aintenance and operation supports B. +ase of use and flexibilities and C. $anufacturing support. Competent talented and .ualified person can optimi>e the capabilities of the new sophisticated IT infrastructures. This can be reali>ed by hiring a new .ualified and competent staffs and to provide intensive trainings for the existing talented staffs in the company. Specific supplier or vendor li%e (2 will conduct training for /perations and $aintenance of their supplied products whilst ,SA&+ Consultant- will conduct training for uses of their software products. The company also can hire an external IT consultant or trainer to give training for their staff on $icrosoft /ffices products. (ence supports and training are one of the most important criteria that need to be considered in order to meet the needs of the IT infrastructure revamps for TescoSoftSdn. !hd.

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(@##G 2atah 2er%ataan)

-. References

1egner 2. (/ctober :@H:B :G9C$% &'esearch paradigms in comp(ter science&%Proceedings of the )nd international *onference on Software Engineering% San 8rancisco California 5nited States? I+++ Computer Society 2ress *os Alamitos CA. Sto%es 'on ("##9). nside the +achine: An ll(strated ntrod(ction to +icroprocessors and *omp(ter Architect(re% San 8rancisco? 4o Starch 2ress. IS!4 G9D6:6BG@"96:#A6C. Ifrah &eorges ("##:). !he ,niversal History of *omp(ting: -rom the Abac(s to the .(ant(m *omp(ter% 4ew 7or%? 'ohn 1iley I Sons. IS!4 #6A9:6@GC9:6#. http?JJtechspot.pricegrabber.comJsearchKcompare.phpJpageKidLA"JmasteridsMNLG9B@A:DC@Jmaste ridsMNLG":CB##:GJmasteridsMNL:#AGA#:"BG http?JJwww.economist.comJblogsJbabbageJ"#:@J#AJminiature6computersO >idL"G:IahLG#CeCGad#:d"eeB:GC#:##b9faB#"BGB http?JJwww.economist.comJblogsJeconomist6explainsJ"#:@J#BJeconomist6explains6:#O >idL"G:IahLG#CeCGad#:d"eeB:GC#:##b9faB#"BGB http?JJwww.economist.comJnewsJscience6and6technologyJ":B9D#"96first6real6world6contests6 between6.uantum6computers6and6standard6ones6fasterO >idL"G:IahLG#CeCGad#:d"eeB:GC#:##b9faB#"BGB
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