IT, Web

IFSM 310 3D Printing Stage 1 Assignment

Before you begin this assignment, be sure you:

• Have completed all previously assigned readings, particularly those assigned in Weeks 1 and 2 of the class.
• Read the “3D Printing Case Study.”

The Case Study presents Mark’s 3D printing business and explains how he wants to expand his operation with more IT infrastructure and additional employees.  He has asked you to help him better understand what he currently has and what he will need to create the business he envisions.  You realize that although he already has several hardware and network components in use, he really does not have any idea how to expand into a larger operation.  You decide to begin with what he has, what his requirements are, and what components he will need to meet his requirements.

Assignment:

Using the Case Study and course materials, your task is to write a paper to Mark that includes the following:

1. Background – briefly describe the business to be supported by the new infrastructure.
2. Current IT infrastructure – List the hardware, software, and network components that Mark currently has in place (not what he wants to add with his “Expansion Plan”). Note that you may need to make some assumptions about the components based on what is provided in the Case Study.
3. Requirements – List five requirements Mark has identified that the systems will have to perform or support as he expands his business. These can be “business” needs or part of the 3D printing operation.
4. How requirements will be met – Briefly explain to Mark what system components will be needed to meet each of the five requirements listed above. These may be components he already has or new components to be added.
5. Data representation and storage – Finally, Mark needs to store and use several types of data: digital and numerical, audio, video and graphics data.  Explain to him how each of these types of data are represented in digital form, how they are stored, and on which device(s) (either in place or something he needs to add) each type of data will be stored.  Include each of the following:
   1. Digital and numerical data
   2. Audio data
   3. Video data
   4. Graphics data

References:

Incorporate at least two resources correctly; one reference should be from the course materials and one reference should be external.  An external resource is a resource other than those provided in the class or textbook.  Incorporate properly formatted APA citations in the text of your document for each reference used.  Then, place an APA style reference page at the end of your document.

Formatting:    

For academic writing, the writer is expected to write in the third person. In third person, the writer avoids the pronouns I, we, my, and ours. The third person is used to make the writing more objective by taking the individual, the “self,” out of the writing. This method is very helpful for academic writing, a form in which facts, not opinion, drive the tone of the text. Writing in the third person allows the writer to come across as unbiased and thus more informed.

• Write a short concise paper, 2-3 single spaced pages in length.
• Use at least two resources with APA formatted citation and reference. Use at least one external reference and one from the course content.
• Compare your work to the Grading Rubric below to be sure you have met content and quality criteria.
• Submit your paper as a Microsoft Word document, or a document that can be read in Word.
• Your submission should include your last name first in the filename:     Lastname_firstname_Stage_1

GRADING RUBRIC:

The “right” and “wrong” answers have to do with whether or not you correctly incorporated the course vocabulary and concepts from the textbook to support your choices and have addressed all parts of the assignment.

ANSWER

3D Printing Case Study

Background

3D printing is the business and requires the support of new infrastructure. The owner intends to commence large scale production of three-dimensional objects from digital files. Mark has decided to expand his business by adding more technological devices and a workforce. Three more 3D printers, a scanner, and five additional team members are his key targets. This translates to a more extensive clientele in dire need of their services. The 3D printing business calls for an IT infrastructural expansion.

Current IT Infrastructure

Mark’s 3D printing business has a set of hardware, software, and network components that help him fulfill his organizational goals and objectives. Some of the hardware components he has included are a printer, CPU (Central Processing Unit), motherboard, RAM (Random-access Memory), modem, and drive. The current software utilized in the business setting includes Excel, browser, and operating system. The Excel application is used to develop spreadsheets that enable the business to create a quality tracking process for its orders and other key processes. The network components that the firm utilizes are a modem and switch. All these elements work in hand to ensure that the business meets its set goals and objectives. For instance, the central processing unit retrieves and executes all information to enable the team members to undertake key operations effectively.

Requirements

Mark’s business expansion plan targets the addition of seven 3D printers, a scanner, and five full-time employees. This calls for the establishment of a robust IT infrastructure system capable of performing various requirements. One of the expected requirements is the appropriate management of the additional devices. The current systems cannot handle a vast number of machines, which calls for advancement. The other essential requirement is improved efficiency. The business is expected to cover a large clientele, and the move to advance the IT system will accelerate organizational efficiency. The other vital requirement that the technological advancement process is expected to develop is reduced cost production. The business stands to gain financially as the systems will accelerate operations. As Shahrubudin et al. (2020) state, 3D printing technology is cost-effective. It allows organizations to significantly reduce cost as it opens opportunities for creating objects that are often impossible with conventional methods. An upgrade translates to quality cost reduction. The other vital requirement is to streamline different activities such as ordering, creating invoices, making supplies, and handling all the team members. Lastly, the systems will create flexibility between various business segments.

Meeting the Requirements

As highlighted above, excellent handling and management of the additional devices, improved efficiency, production cost reduction, streamlining of all activities, and flexibility are essential requirements associated with the business expansion plan. System components come in handy to ensure that the business meets each of the above requirements. Hardware, software, telecommunication, network systems, and database are key system components that the business will utilize and advance accordingly. For instance, the owner can decide to improve the PC’s memory for improved optimization. As for the network systems, the business can consider an additional source rather than relying on the modem. For example, a Local Area Network (LAN) and Personal Area Network (PAN) are viable options that the owner can consider to boost organizational functions and associated activities. Thus, hardware, software, networking, and database systems are major components the business should adopt to meet all the above requirements.

Data Representation and Storage

Data storage and retrieval are essential functions that Mark’s business will integrate to fulfill user needs. Infrastructural advancement attracts ambiguity for the users as far as device handling is concerned. As Gollagi, Math, and Patwardhan (2016) state, data should be collected, organized, and stored in line with the context management procedure in such situations. This enables various entities to establish excellent reasoning and decisive steps. In this case, digital and numerical, audio, video, and graphics data are the common forms of data the business expects to handle.

Digital and Numerical Data

Numerical data is represented in binary number systems where sets of information encompass 0 and 1 digitals. The data is stored in groupings of bits. For instance, a digital or numerical data piece can have bytes or words. Devices such as magnetic tape drives, hard disks, and floppy disk drives may be used by a business to store this form of data.

Audio Data

Audio data is represented as a sequence of numerical encoded samples. For instance, an audio text can have a sample taken within a respective time frame and an identified depth. The obtained frequency exists as the audio data sample. This form of data can be stored on a compact disk, audio player, hard drive, and flash disk.

Video Data

Video data is represented as a matrix. Continuous analog signals are collected and arranged in the form of a matrix depending on the frequency. It is stored as a series of bits where critical devices such as hard disks and video file containers.

Graphics Data

Graphics data is represented via symbols such as charts and bars. Its storage attracts the use of graphic file formats. Some of the commonly used formats include JPEG, PNG, and GIF. It is important to note that the acquired information can be stored either raw or processed.

References

Gollagi, S. G., Math, M. M., & Patwardhan, V. J. (2016). A Model for Context-Data Representation and Management for Pervasive Environments. Context, 1, 2.

Shahrubudin, N., Koshy, P., Alipal, J., Kadir, M. H. A., & Lee, T. C. (2020). Challenges of 3D printing technology for manufacturing biomedical products: A case study of Malaysian manufacturing firms. Heliyon, 6(4), e03734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03734