Assessment of Technology

Description, Planning and Alternatives

     The proposed technology that will be evaluated in this report is the design of a new generation consulting firm.  This firm will not be traditional in nature but will use the Internet for its main source in interacting with its customers.  The focus of this firm will be motivated towards small businesses rather than large corporations.  This assessment will compile all the necessary information and come to some conclusions whether or not the project can be done with today’s technology, if not can the new technology be created and if there is a market base for this type of firm.

     The consulting firm will do what all other firms do in helping businesses reach it goals.  Due to high overhead in the traditional firms due to large offices, highly skilled professionals and travel costs JK Consulting believes it can reduce these main costs with the proposal of a new technology.  This means that JK Consulting is developing both a new project and a new product.

       The project is the creation of a consulting firm.  The number of professionals that will be a part of this firm will be drastically reduced compared to other firms.  With the use of the Internet, JK Consulting believes that only a couple of skilled professionals are needed in each area that it will offer consultation.  Such areas will include software design, e-commerce solutions, network solutions, email and web hosting.  Possibly JK Consulting will look at also offering internet as a 2nd party which means buying connections from internet service providers and offering customized internet solutions to its clients.  This will allow efficient use of the Internet and guaranteed connection rates.   This will be done with ATM circuits, dedicated DSL or dedicated cable connections.    

     The services offered by JK Consulting stated earlier will be done as a team with all the professionals located within the firm as all have adequate knowledge of all services with the experts within the given subject being the team leaders.  E-commerce will be offered which will be the implementation of 1024 bit secure online stores with Verisign digital certificates using JK’s innovative shopping cart application developed in Sequential Query Language (SQL) and PERL, based in a Linux operating environment to cut down on licensing fees.  These stores will be hosted by JK to allow for easy maintenance, troubleshooting and upgrading as new technologies are introduced.  JK will also offer merchant accounts to its clients to allow the use of credit cards to make online shopping more convenient.

     Custom Software development will also be offered.  The software will be done be two software engineers with the rest of the company serving as code modifiers and compilers.  Accounting software, databases, shipping software and other types of software will be available to potential clients.  All programs will be customized to the needs of the clients and will come with troubleshooting and online manuals.  Workshops and tutorials will be offered on the Internet with the use of web conferencing or other types of media streaming.

     Network solutions will also be offered.  This will be the planning and implementation of networks.  Due to the vast majority of clients being small businesses the networks will be small in size 1 to 50 nodes.  All network installations will be done on site and all tutorials, troubleshooting and maintenance will be performed over the Internet using secure shells.  Tutorials will be offered in much the same format as computer based teaching (CBTs) with the exception of live conferencing being done to give clients a one on one environment which will allow them to ask questions and get a real time response.

     Email and web hosting will always be offered.  Such services are needed in today’s high tech society, as the Internet is an upcoming source of revenue that allows small businesses to compete in a global economy.  Web hosting will be offered on servers that will have the latest technology running to allow for minimal downtime and reliability.  All servers will use the latest encryptions schemes to allow for a highly secure environment.  Unlimited email addresses will be offered with hosting packages making JK very competitive with other hosting companies.

     A new building will be built which will be located in a metropolis of Canada, preferably Toronto or its suburbs.  This location would be beneficial as it is close to the main technology centres in Canada.  This is needed due to the high-speed Internet connections that are needed which are offered at competitive pricing in a metropolis location.  The building itself would be a single level building that will offer secure areas, as sensitive materials will be hosted on our networks.  The building itself will have shielded areas as enormous amounts of cable will be run throughout the building and noise interference should be reduced to the next to nothing.  This is why a new building should be created, as it would be hard to find such office space that offers adequate shielding to rent at a competitive price.  Also being set up in a metropolis would allow for easier zoning and creation of jobs is not a necessity.  As all jobs will be from professionals from a niche of underg!

raduate, graduate and diploma programs.

     The product will be a new technology created specifically for small businesses.  JK will develop online tutorials, workshops and training programs so that clients can learn on their own and have 24/7 access to help material.  Video streams will be used to offer such consultations.  A new compression standard will be developed to allow for high quality streaming over multiple platforms and connections.  XML will also be used to give websites a user-friendly interface that takes hold of today’s newest web development technology.  All networks within JK will use the latest Internet protocol 6 for addresses breaking the threshold of Internet protocol 4 that is today’s standard.  This will allow JK to be ahead of the competition when in fact it is time to switch over to the new standard.  Being internet based JK will be able to compete with top notch firms as there is less overhead and more personal interaction.  Also the development of new streaming compression and offering I!

nternet based tutorials that are interactive and personal will save JK from giving multiple lectures.  This will also allow JK to cut down on tutorial costs as each tutorial can be used as a template for other businesses.

       Web cameras will also be installed for each client that will allow JK to have a one and one relationship with them.  Since most small businesses do not have a lot of money to spend on Information Technology, JK believes that cutting down on transportation expenses and offering online based help will allow JK to offer competitive prices that are attractive to small businesses.

     The product of new video streaming, conferencing and XML based interfaces will have to be developed to allow for JK to go through with its initial project of an innovative consulting firm.  The next step in this report is the planning of the technology assessment followed by development of alternatives.  In future reports effects on the environment, public participation, predictions, verifications, legislation and risk assessments will be discussed.

     The target completion date for the assessment is December 1st, 2001.  This date is feasible as the project has been outlined before and the formal assessment should be completed on time.  This goal fits in with the project schedule, regulatory requirements and seasonal requirements.

     The project should go ahead if the assessment sees it feasible in May of 2002.  Time must be taken after the assessment to work out financial considerations and for the building/renting of office space.  The project and product should be finished by May of 2003 and JK should be in full operation at that time.

     Regulatory requirements should permit the project and the assessment to complete in the allotted time frame.  Main regulatory concerns are zoning issues and JK becoming incorporated.  Minor regulatory requirements are with respect to leasing out Internet and the leasing of merchant accounts to clients.  Issues with credit card companies such as VISA and MasterCard will have to be taken up to ensure a legal use of the merchant accounts.

     Seasonal requirements such as data gathering will be completed on time.  Data to be gathered is whether or not such a company and product is wanted, is their enough small businesses interested to make it profitable and the gathering of data to be used in developing a new media streaming compression agent.  Data will be gathered via traditional use of surveys and also personal conversations with small business owners.  Statistics gathered by outside agencies will also be used, as the cost of acquiring such data is lower than personally acquiring the data.

     Corporate policies and procedures should be completed when the assessment is finished.  Informal procedures will be followed during the assessment, with formal policies coming into place if in fact the project is feasible.  The goal for the identification of procedures and policies should be drafted before the assessment is started and formal ones put in place after the assessment has concluded.

     The goal for the cost of the assessment is five thousand dollars.  This figure is feasible, as no outside consulting firm will be hired to do the assessment.  The future owner of the project will complete the assessment.  This saves costs on pricey consultants and allows the assessment to take place in a cost effective manor.

     Technical goals to be identified are those of corporation versus sole propertiorship.  Other technical goals are to find the legalities of online shopping and insurance schemes that are in place in the advent of a system penetration by an outside source.

     The major issues in the assessment are getting the necessary information from the credit card companies in respect to regulations, the feasibility of the project with respect to today’s technology, zoning issues with the metropolis of Toronto, legalities in using the internet as a base of operations, secure encryption schemes, businesses opinions on the proposed project and issues regarding finances.  These issues were identified from economics, regulation boards, politics concerning zoning, financial institutions and the technology sector.

     The technical requirements and subject areas to be investigated are:

• This area should be investigated in depth as it is important to make sure that the building is in the proper zone

• This area should be investigated in depth as all regulations, taxes, and laws must be studied to ensure legal operation of the firm

• This area should be investigated in depth as if current streaming technologies can not be used a new compression standard will have to be developed

• Encryption is available to allow for complete security

• Current high speed connections offer enough bandwidth to sustain the heavy loads that will occur

• This area should be investigated thoroughly as it is important to understand the regulations concerning merchant accounts and offering them to multiple parties

• This area should be investigated in a fairly decent depth as it is important to know about the market and what businesses want

• Also competitors must be taken into account and how to compete with already established firms

• This area should be detailed as finances are needed to fund both the assessment and the actual project and product

• Interest rates should be studied to get the best rates on borrowed money to allow JK to be competitive.

     The style of report will follow a typical assessment and be deep in nature to allow for minimal questions.  The report will be logical and clear in format allowing for the report to be understandable in nature.  The report will have all major headings concerning assessment of technologies.  The following is the template that will be used:

1.1 Identification of the Proponent, Product and Project

3.2 Product and Project Alternatives

5 Existing Social and Economic Environment

6.2 Pollution associated with the building

7 Impact on the Social and Economic Environment

     The total time allotted for the assessment is from September 2001 to December 1st 2001.  The assessment must be completed in this time frame to allow for an early start if the project is feasible to allow for the creation of new media, development of marketing strategies, internet connection plans and construction of a new office building.  The following is an outline of the time allotted for each component of the assessment:

A. Planning of the assessment  - September 18, 2001 to October 9, 2001

B. Generation of Product and Project Alternatives – September 18, 2001 to October 9, 2001

C. Identification of Effects on the Biophysical Environment – October 9, 2001 to October 30, 2001

D. Public Participation – October 9, 2001 to October 30, 2001

E. Identification of Effects on Social, Economic, Aesthetic and Historic Environments – October 9, 2001 to October 30, 2001

F. Technological Prediction and Verification – October 30, 2001 to November 20, 2001

G. Alternatives Evaluation – October 30, 2001 to November 20, 2001

H. Federal, Provincial and Municipal Assessment Legislation – October 30, 2001 to November 20, 2001

I. Risk assessment and Miscellaneous – October 30, 2001 to November 20, 2001

      The cost for the assessment should be five thousand dollars.  Each sub-study is allotted a budget of two hundred dollars.  Money can be reallocated to other sub-studies if more funding is needed.  Any left over funds will be used for consultation with lawyers to ensure legalities are followed and that all regulations put forth are abided by.

     Within the project and product there are a couple of ancillary projects.  These include:  Network Infrastructure, Building of the office, Hardware configurations, set up of the website and conversion of IPV4 to IPV6.

• Significant enough to warrant an individual assessment, must be detailed as it will be the backbone of operations

• The Network Technologist will be responsible for the assessment of this ancillary and must be completed for December 1st, 2001

• Report will follow similar standard noted above but will not contain economic and social environments as the network infrastructure relates only to the firm

• Significant enough to warrant an individual assessment, must be detailed as the firm will based there

• Proponent will be responsible for this assessment with the aid of an architect, and building inspectors to comply with regulations

• Report will follow similar standard noted above

• Must be completed for December 1st, 2001

• Significant enough to warrant an individual assessment, does not have to be highly detailed as technology concerning such issues changes on a day to day basis

• Must be completed for November 18th, 2001 and will be completed by the Network Technologist

• Significant enough to warrant an individual assessment, has to be in-depth as it is the facility in which JK will consult with its clients

• Technologies available have to be assessed with this and will be completed by the Software Engineer and Network Technologist

• Must be completed for November 25th, 2001

• Can be contained in network infrastructure assessment, does not warrant the use of an individual assessment

• To be completed by the Network Technologist

    The assessment will be completed by a couple of professionals ranging in expertise.  An entire staff commonly found in other assessments will not be needed for this assessment as the funding is not available and the project and product are small in nature and do not conflict with the status quo.  There will be two full time employed on the assessment and part time employees employed when needed.

• Project-coordinator and Network Technologist responsible for network infrastructure, hardware configurations and the main proponent.  Responsible for research and development of the assessment.  Also responsible for writing of the assessment and development of marketing strategies along side Richard.

• Responsible for software concerns, web development and additional help with the development of the assessment and also a main proponent.  Also responsible for the development of marketing strategies.

• Responsible for the accounting of the assessment and the caretaker of finances

     Outside employees to be hired will be a lawyer to undertake all legal requirements, dealing with the municipal and provincial government, advising of legislation and care taking of JK’s best interests.  Printing of the assessment will be contracted out to a printing facility.  Garry Murphy will also be hired when need be to direct the assessment and help with development of the consulting firm and Internet related issues.  A certified architect and building inspector

will be hired for the construction of the office building.

Employment Legal/Permit Finances Market Technology Internet Construction

i. Organize preliminary assessment team

ii. Estimate costs of an assessment, including costs of assessment preparation and approval.  Decide whether to proceed after considering finances.

iii. Prepare preliminary description of the project; also describe major ancillary facilities the project will require.

iv. Obtain a preliminary description of the existing physical and economic environments

v. Make preliminary prediction of expected effects on the environment

vi. Prepare outline of proposed assessment study and related activities

vii. Meet with regulatory agency to review items iii to vi above.  Modify these components as necessary to achieve mutual agreement upon content of proposed assessment

viii. Organize an assessment work team for the detailed assessment preparation

ix. Prepare a detailed project description and description of major ancillary projects

x. Search for existing information about markets, environmental issues and relevant technologies available.  Begin small business participation at this time

xi. Submit results of ix and x to regulatory agency to gain approval for these components

xii. Assess in detail the environmental impacts of the project and ancillary project.  Assess the ancillary project in detail.

xiii. Propose alternatives and enhancement measures for the project and product

xiv. Prepare a final draft of the assessment report.

xv. Allow lawyer and outside technical writer to look over the report

xvi. Submit final assessment to interested parties

Alternatives to the Product and Project Alternative Methods of Developing the Product and Project

2.   Other Streaming Methods a) Use Microsoft’s ASF format

c) Use Logitech’s Web Camera Software

3.   Different Building a) Rent already existing facility

4.   Alternative Cities a) Ottawa, Ontario

5.   Alternative Method of Consultation a) In person tutorials, workshops

b) Use of television as source of interaction

6.   Alternate Internet Connections a) T1

7.   Alternate Construction Schedules a) Start construction in May of 2003

b) Start construction in May of 2004

8.   Other Consultations a) Offer motivation workshops

e) Specialize in Software Engineering

9.   Market a) Work with large corporations

b) Work with medium size corporations

     The Following are the Project and Product Goals.  These goals are why the project and

Product is being done and the goals that JK hopes to obtain by completing the project and

1. Improve Quality of Life for Proponent and employees

3. Re-Invent the way consulting firms interact with their clients

5. Becoming part of the Fortune 500 Elite

1. Develop new standard that industry will follow, intrinsic goal

2. Make profit on new streaming media

3. Make video streaming more efficient across multiple platforms

4. Intrinsic goal of completing new compression scheme