Category: Internet technology (IT)

In this discussion you will begin working on the Usability Project and will continue completing tasks for the project for the remainder of the course. For the duration of the project you will take on the role of an interface designer for a technology company. Ultimately, you will create
a prototype that demonstrates interface usability. Tasks will include gathering user data and information from one or more user groups, designing a user interface, developing a prototype, and evaluating a prototype. The first task in your Usability Project is to choose a topic you’re interested in that relates to interface design and to complete research on your topic using at least one credible source. Answer the following items in an initial post of 250 words or more:
Identify the topic of your Usability Project. Consider choosing a topic with real-world significance, such as an interface that is currently gaining more attention in the tech world or an existing design
that you believe could be improved.
Explain your rationale for choosing this topic and your personal interest in this topic.
Discuss your research of your chosen topic, including the history of
this technology, future prospects for this technology, potential obstacles for this technology’s development and level of interest in this technology by users, including individual consumers and organizations.
Identify potential users of this technology and how your chosen topic potentially meets their needs and expectations.
An important aspect of working as an interface designer is being able to meet deadlines. Review the course due dates for the tasks associated with the Usability Project and generate a schedule of project
due dates using a software tool like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel. Remember to consider work, family, and other personal events that
might affect when you are able to work on tasks for the Usability Project over the next five weeks.

Assignment Content
This assignment measures your mastery of ULOs 2.3, 2.4, and 6.1.
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) companies directly market to customers via online web-based services, avoiding the overhead expense of traditional store front or brick-and-mortar methods. The textbook mentioned Warber Parker and Harry’s as examples of DTC businesses. For this assignment, use the internet to research other DTC companies, and select one brand to research. The blog post “140+ DTC Brands by Category (+Trends, Stats & More) (Link below)” can be a helpful resource. In your assignment, address the prompts listed below.
Describe the DTC business you selected.
Discuss the Web 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 features used by the business.
Analyze the four eBusiness models discussed in the textbook. Identify which model best reflects your selected eBusiness. Explain why you chose that particular model and not one of the other three.
Discuss the technical innovations needed to make decisions supporting your selected eBusiness model.
Compare the eBusiness you selected to Amazon.com. Identify any differences or similarities you believe exist between the two.
Discuss how the internet and the World Wide Web are used to drive innovative project decisions and focus business strategies.
This case study must be at least three pages in length, not counting the title and reference pages. Be sure to cite and reference all sources, including your textbook, following proper APA formatting guidelines.
Blog link (https://www.extensiv.com/blog/direct-to-consumer-brands)

Build a PowerPoint presentation with an introduction slide, 5 body slides, and a summary slide
Topic: What you should look for in a great virtual team member
Use bulleted list in the slides to capture key points but use the note pages in PowerPoint to explain your points
Can use outside sources, but should use the text chapters primarily

What does the future of technology look like in education?
Write a  6-8 page reflection paper on where you see as the future of educational technology for the next five years. As educators, what ethical considerations should be given to the use of technology in schools.
Although this work is based upon your personal impressions of where the world of educational technology is heading, it must be grounded in peer-reviewed literature, innovations, and technological possibilities.
Your paper must include at least five peer-reviewed journal articles, synthesized the literature using APA 7 (no plagiarism or AI use), cited appropriately using APA 7 style, organized with appropriate use of APA 7 level headings, and include a Reference page using APA 7.

To complete this assignment, you will also select a topic from this Tech Topics Download Tech Topicslist that you would like to learn more about. You will have the chance to explore this topic in more detail during the final blog post that is due at the end of Week 5.
Write a brief paper explaining the reason you are interested in this topic. Pose at least one question that you hope to answer by researching this topic in more detail.
The Tech Topic Paper for the Building a Blog: Develop assignment
Must be at least 1 page in length (not including title and references pages), double-spaced, and formatted according to APA StyleLinks to an external site. as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA Formatting for Microsoft WordLinks to an external site. resource.
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper in bold font
Space should appear between the title and the rest of the information on the title page.
Student’s name
Name of institution (The University of Arizona Global Campus)
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Due date
Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic VoiceLinks to an external site. resource for additional guidance.
Must use at least two scholarly and/or credible sources in addition to the course text.
The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible SourcesLinks to an external site. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source.
To assist you in completing the research required for this assignment, view Quick and Easy Library ResearchLinks to an external site. tutorial, which introduces the University of Arizona Global Campus Library and the research process, and provides some library search tips.
Must document any information used from sources in APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center’s APA: Citing Within Your PaperLinks to an external site. guide.
Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA Style as outlined in the Writing Center. See the APA: Formatting Your References ListLinks to an external site. resource in the Writing Center for specifications.

Competency
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies:
Determine appropriate ways to communicate information to internal and external stakeholders
Apply communication techniques to effectively negotiate and manage conflict
Scenario
You are the manager of a team of 10 software developers working on a new application for your company, Optimum Way Development, which is based out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Your organization recently acquired a smaller software company based in San Jose, California. You have been informed that your team will be bringing on five people from this newly acquired company; all five people will be moving to Raleigh to join your team.
You schedule a phone call with the five new team members and discover that they are upset about the recent impersonal message they received from human resources informing them that they would have to relocate to Raleigh in order to stay employed; no one expressed excitement about joining the team. During this conversation, you also discover that many of the new team members have more education and experience than the people currently on your team. Based on the conversation, you notice that most of these team members are likely older than you, whereas all of the current Raleigh team members are younger than you.
After the call, one of your current senior team members approaches you about rumors that are circulating concerning the Raleigh team being required to train the new team members from San Jose. They heard that there are plans to eliminate positions and are concerned the new hires will ultimately be taking their positions.
The director who oversees your division has requested that you create and present a recommendation report that documents your plans for managing the conflicts that currently exist or may arise on your team. The director has an advanced degree in a computer science-related field and has worked in technology for over a decade.
Directions
In order to identify and resolve existing and future conflicts, you have been asked to compose and present your plan for managing conflict for this project. In addition to identifying and resolving the conflicts, you are also responsible for keeping the development of the new application moving forward by continuing to meet scheduled milestones.
To do this, you will create a recommendation report and corresponding presentation. The audience for both deliverables is your director. As you create your report and presentation, remember to use communication techniques and platforms that are appropriate for your audience’s preferences and motivations.
Both deliverables should be based on the above scenario and include the following:
To start, explain the major elements of the software application, including background, audience, functions, and features.
Next, explain the areas of conflict for the team. Make sure to include contributing factors and the possible impacts.
Articulate the desired outcome of any conflict resolution activities.
How would you like to see this conflict resolved?
What is the “best-case” scenario?
Recommend action steps for managing areas of possible conflict with a detailed explanation on how the action steps contribute to conflict resolution.
In the presentation only, use dialogue to communicate the appropriate main ideas to the audience. Although you will not give this presentation over video, you should use the speaker’s notes section in PowerPoint to write the accompanying speech.
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit the following:
Recommendation Report
Your report should be at least 2 full pages in length (not including a title page), single-spaced and submitted as either a Word document or PDF. Outside resources are not required, but any resources used must be appropriately cited using APA style. You may use the Recommendation Report Template Word Document for this submission.
Presentation
Your presentation should be in a presentation format (such as PowerPoint) and provide an overview of the main ideas from the recommendation report. Using the speaker’s notes section of PowerPoint, include the speech that would accompany the presentation. Outside resources are not required, but any resources used must be appropriately cited using APA style.

ACME Inc. Backup
a. What they have: One computer with all service records, emails, and files.
b. What they want: Backup for their service records, emails, and files.
Instructions
2 paragraphs explaining the design of your network or software solution. (Please refer to attachment for problem) Please include one graphic in this section such as network diagram.
Implementation Plan
2 paragraphs explaining how to implement plan. It should explain what resources will be needed, what products should be ordered, what work will be needed.
Testing plan
2 paragraphs (one for each proposal solution) and should include when you will test the solution, and how you will test the solution, and how you will know if the solution was successful. 

Scenario
You are the manager of a software development team working on new applications for your company, Optimum Way Development, Inc. Your director has called for all development teams to submit product briefs detailing their current projects. The director plans to share the most promising product briefs with clients at an upcoming meeting. You have software design documents for two potential projects.
Directions
You must choose one of the potential products and use the information contained in the technical specification document to create your product brief. The brief is intended to explain the new application to potential clients. (Use the personas created for the 2-1 Milestone as the audience for this project.) You should highlight the features that will appeal to clients and persuade them to purchase the new application. Your brief should include the following:
An explanation of the features and functions of the product
Clear definitions of technical terms and concepts that are relevant to communicating the product capabilities
An explanation of the benefits of using the product within an organization
Graphics that support or clarify technical information concerning the product
Appropriate language for the intended audience
This assignment must be 500 to 1,000 words in length and should include at least two graphics that help clarify technical concepts. Any references must be cited in APA format.

In today’s ever-changing world of technology, organizations must compete to offer better products and
services. Organizations look for new technologies to help them be more efficient and gain market share.
Emerging technologies are innovations that are new or the most modern for the field or industry. They may
also be considered groundbreaking or disrupt the way businesses traditionally operate.
For this assessment, you will choose one of the attached case studies, each of which presents the existing
technology and needs of a fictional organization. You will propose a technology product that will benefit the
organization in the chosen case study and discuss how the technology would affect the organization if it
moves forward with your proposal.

You will save your files as:
Lastname_Firstname_Travis_Letter.docx
Lastname_Firstname_Sales_Presentation.pptx
LastnameFirstname_Sale_Properties.xlsx
Open the file Sale_Properties.xlsx, and then save the workbook as LastnameFirstname_Sale_Properties.xlsx 
Copy the Properties worksheet to a new worksheet, and then rename the worksheet as Payments in the Payments worksheet
Convert the data to a table. 
In column G, insert a calculated column using the PMT function to calculate the monthly payment for each of the properties. 
In column H, insert a calculated column using the IF function to determine the amount of the discount if property qualifies for it. 
Determine the totals for columns F:H. 
Apply conditional formatting to cells with a selling price between $40,000,000 and $70,000,000. 
Copy the Payments worksheet to a new worksheet, and then rename the new worksheet as Plenteous Properties Filter the table to display only the data for the Plenteous Properties Warehouse. 
Copy the Property worksheet to a new worksheet, and then rename the new worksheet as Florida and Georgia Properties.
Filter the Florida and Georgia properties.
Insert the file name in the footer so that it displays on all worksheets.
Create a PowerPoint presentation using a template of your choice; the presentation will be shown to prospective buyers attending a sales conference.
Save the presentation as Lastname_Firstname_Sales_Presentation.xppt
Insert the file name in the footer to display on all pages of the notes and handouts. 
Modify the slides to help persuade buyers to purchase property from Neighbors National Properties Group. 
On one slide, inform the audience that the company sells many properties. 
On the same slide, link the cell from the Excel Payments worksheet that displays the total selling price. 
On a new slide, insert a SmartArt graphic that lists some of the different types of properties that the company develops and manages.
At the end of the presentation, insert a slide that contains the contact information for Mr. Plassey. 
Insert additional text, pictures, and clip art to enhance the presentation. 
Format any text or other objects to create a professional appearance.
Open the file Travis_Letter.xdoc, and then save as Lastname_Firstname_Travis_Letter.xdoc
Insert the file name in the footer Jake Plassey 
Format the letterhead for Mr. Jake Plassey. 
Insert the current date, and then insert Beth Travis’s name and address and a proper salutation. 
Following the first paragraph, copy the SmartArt graphic from your presentation to the letter, changing text wrapping and resizing as necessary. 
Following the second paragraph, from Excel, on the Plenteous Properties worksheet, link cells F1:G38 (first and second row) to the Word document.
Open LastnameFirstname_Sale_Properties.xlsx, and copy contents of the Florida and Georgia worksheet. 
Under the third paragraph, paste the contents of the Florida and Georgia worksheet. 
Format the document to create a professional appearance. 
Upload the completed assignment files in the Assignment area.
Special Instructions: Use the Supporting Materials below to complete the project.
Grading: Please review the rubrics for particulars.