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Plan IS for marketing company

Short answer

Central server‑based architecture with head‑office servers (2× 16‑core, 64 GB RAM, 4 TB RAID‑10) and branch WAN (10 Mbps leased lines, IPsec VPN, 4G backup). Branches get 10 desktops (Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD) plus printer/UPS. Software includes CRM, accounting, and office suite; outsourced services cover ISP, cloud backup and hardware AMC.

Plan an information system for a marketing company that has one head office and ten branches. Discuss different information system components required for the setup (hardware, system software, communication network, outsourced services and any third party software). Provide the detail specification for each of the Information System components required for the setup. Also make a top level diagram of the entire setup.

Assumptions: the company has one head office (HO) in Kathmandu and ten branches across Nepal; about 200 staff in total (HO 60, 14 per branch); main activities are sales, customer management, inventory, accounts, HR and reporting. Sales staff also work in the field. The budget is moderate, so cloud services are used where sensible.

Information system plan

  • Architecture: central, server-based. The HO hosts the main database and applications; branches connect through a WAN/VPN. Branches can also work offline for short periods and synchronise later.
  • Applications: CRM, sales and order management, inventory, accounting, HR/payroll, a management dashboard and e-mail.

Components and specifications

ComponentSpecification (suggested)
Servers (HO)2 rack servers (application and database), 16 cores, 64 GB RAM, 4 TB RAID-10 SSD/HDD, redundant power; 1 backup server/NAS with 20 TB
Client computersHO 60 desktops, branches 10 desktops/laptops each: Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 21-inch monitor
Field staff devicesTablets/smartphones with Android and the CRM app
PeripheralsNetwork laser printers, barcode scanners, UPS (1 kVA per PC, 10 kVA at server room), scanners
System softwareServer: Linux or Windows Server; Database: PostgreSQL/MySQL or SQL Server; Clients: Windows 10/11 with licensed antivirus; virtualization optional
Communication networkHO: 1 Gbps LAN, managed switches, Wi-Fi, firewall/UTM; WAN: 10 Mbps leased line or VPN over ISP broadband from each branch with 4G backup; dual ISP at HO
Third-party softwareAccounting package (e.g. Tally/ERP), CRM (e.g. open-source or SaaS), office suite, e-mail (cloud), antivirus
Outsourced servicesISP and VPN links, cloud backup/disaster-recovery storage, annual maintenance contract (AMC) for hardware, web hosting, IT support and security audit
SecurityFirewall, role-based access, daily backup, encrypted VPN, offsite backup

Top-level diagram

        +-----------------------+
        |      HEAD OFFICE      |
        | App + DB servers      |
        | Backup, Firewall, LAN |
        +----------+------------+
                   |
        VPN / WAN (ISP + 4G backup)
   +-------+-------+-------+-------+
   |       |       |       |       |
 Branch1 Branch2  ...   Branch9 Branch10
 (LAN,PCs,printer,router/VPN each)
                   |
        +----------+------------+
        | Cloud backup / DR site|
        +-----------------------+
 Field staff: mobile devices via internet

Notes

Each branch has a router, a switch, a firewall and a UPS. The WAN is secured with an IPsec VPN. Servers are placed in a locked, air-conditioned room. Data are backed up daily and copied offsite weekly. Users have roles (sales, manager, accountant, admin), so each sees only the data they need.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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