A SAMPLE CWU TO SHOW YOU HOW TO WRITE CWUs

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A Sample Case Analysis Write-Up: with all the suggested sections
ITM T 6:00pm-9:30pm, Fall 2013
Date: October 31, 2013

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INTRODUCTION (5 Points)

Thin computing is the complete spectrum of hardware, services and software solutions that allow people using thin clients, PCs, wireless devices and other systems to securely access the information and the applications they need.

Thin clients and the server based architecture that they require create an IT environment that offers security, manageability, and return on investment (ROI) benefits. Thin clients have the ability to natively render HTML pages, run Java applications, and handle text terminal applications without the need for any additional back-end infrastructure.

Thin clients are network based computing devices that use the resources of servers to store applications and data and deliver them to users. Unlike traditional PC, thin clients are in the complete control of the IT department, and all connections to the outside world happen through a centralized, easily managed source. All the web connections, email, applications and data for thin clients on a given network come through a single point.

Microsoft Terminal Services - With Terminal Services running on a server and a Terminal Services Client applications installed onto a thin client, the applications can be launched on the server but have them display on the thin client.

Citrix Presentation Server – Client devices connect to the server and the graphics display generated by the application is sent over a network connection to the client’s device’s monitor. Most think client installations are done in conjunction with Citrix Presentation services because the two solutions work well together.

Device Management Software – The thin client market leader Wyse Technology offers a thin client software management tool call Wyse Devise manager. This tool enables centralized control of tens of thousands of thin client, including those from competitors from a simple management console interface.

ROI Purpose – Understand how the change had affected the users in terms of productivity and the organization in terms of costs and IT operations.
ROI Methodology – Standard business value interview and modeling methodology to gather the data Analysis period – Three years.

THIS SECTION WOULD BE BETTER IF IT IS BRIEFER THAN THIS. THE BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE CASE OR THE GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY INVOLVED WOULD BE ENOUGH.

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ISSUES/PROBLEMS (20 Points)*

PC Users: * Demand more capability and flexibility from their computing devices * Security related concerns are driving the implementation of tighter controls to safeguard enterprises. * Extend the services they offer even further in terms of adding wireless networks, integrating voice over IP communications etc. * Slight or no budget increases to support these new initiatives. * Stringent security requirements are leading to higher software licensing expenses per seat. * Deploy sophisticated software updating application management services and additional servers they require that add to complexity of the existing network datacenters. * Each device has to be closely monitored for potential security breaches.

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THIS SECTION WOULD BE BETTER IF IT INCLUDES MORE DETAILS ALTHOUGH IT WOUDLD BE OK TO USE BULLETS. MOSTLY NEGATIVE ISSUES OR PROBLEMS WOULD BE HERE, BUT POSITIVE ISSUES ALSO COULD BE INCLUDED HERE TO USE THEM IN YOUR EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION.
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SOLUTIONS (Taken by the company) (15 Points)*

Thin Client Users:

* Reduce the expenses in categories such as PC clients. * Individuals who sit in front of thin clients may see a familiar Windows desktop environment that look and feels virtually identical. * Greatly reduces the likelihood of rouge viruses, Trojan horses, and other malware entering into a network because the IT department can focus all of its monitoring tools and capabilities on a single connection. * Makes the process of distributing the inevitable OS updates much simpler. * Enables a simplified network topology, permitting the creation of a straightforward architecture that’s easy to manage and easy to adapt to changing needs. * Automatic application updates and back-ups of user data.

THIS SECTION WOULD BE BETTER WHEN IT HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE SOLUTIONS OF THE COMPANY IN THE CASE. NOT YOUR OWN SOLUTIONS COME HERE. THEY MIGHT BE IN THE RECOMMENDATION SECTION. AGAIN USING BULLETS IS OK, BUT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO HAVE MORE THOROUGH DESCRIPTION.

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EVALUATION OF SOLUTIONS/ANALYSIS (35 Points)**

Converting to thin client computing provides benefits that are quantifiable in the following areas:

* Reduced hardware and software costs – Thin clients costs less to purchase, install and maintain that the PCs they replace. Reducing these hard costs directly impacts the bottom line. Following were the drivers for lower hard costs: * Lower hardware costs in terms of hard disk and CPU * Lower software license costs * Higher users to system ratio by supporting multiple users performing similar tasks or operations that require information to be passed from one user to another. * Lower IT operations costs in terms of desktop support staff * Reduced IT operations Costs – Enable consolidation of hard drives in fewer locations reducing the operations expenses associated with physical desktop as well as the help desk. * Increased IT staff productivity – The consolidated nature of thin clients enables customers to reduce staff and reduce the time spent on low-value infrastructure support functions and more time on proactive or business related activities. * Reduced Worker downtimes – Thin clients in a well-managed environment suffer fewer downtime events and require fewer helpdesk calls resulting in increased user productivity.

Following are the drawbacks associated with thin client computing:

* Similar to any network based computing device, thin clients require environments with robust and reliable networks. * Resentment and pushback from users in environments where thin clients are replacing PCs. * Growing trend of notebook PCs and the increased mobility that they allow. Even though the Notebook form-factor thin clients are available they are more expensive and limited in their capabilities than full-functional notebooks.

THIS SECTION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SECTION IN THE CASE ANALYSIS. YOUR EVALUATION ON THE SOLUTIONS TAKEN BY THE COMPANY IN THE CASE WOULD BE HERE. YOUR EVALUATION WOULD BE NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE ON THE SOLUTIONS IN THE ABOVE SECTION.

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RECOMMENDATIONS (10 Points) *

Thin client computing provides a very good alternative for the PC use in terms of upfront cost needed to deploy, maintain and the increased cost benefit it provides over the time. In addition it provides tools that help manage the mundane tasks such as application updates, OS updates and automatic back-up of user data that help in increasing staff and user productivity.

In addition the revolution in network areas (fiber optics etc), the reliability of thin client has ever increased. All these positive points overweigh the negatives aspects thus making the switch over to thin client computing more appealing. I strongly recommend switching over to thin client computing.

YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS DERIVED FROM YOUR EVALUATION MAY COME HERE. THE RECOMMENDATION ALSO COULD BE YOUR OWN IDEA CAME FROM THE PROCESS OF THE ANALYSIS.

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CONCLUSION (5 Points)

The thin client popularity will continue to grow stronger over time, largely because of the compelling ROI that thin clients offer versus traditional PCs in networked client/server environments. In addition, the thin computing model will continue to expand over time, with software based application and OS steaming solutions now coming to market. These types of products will open up thin computing to even more environments.
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THIS SECTION CONCLUDES YOUR ANALYSIS.
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RELATION TO THE CHAPTER (10 Points)

This case study provides a good understanding of ROI concepts. It outlines the type of measurement to be employed to deduce the benefit of the systems to be implemented. The measurement techniques involved identifying the benchmark for comparison and measurement. In addition it provided an overview of quantitative like reduced hardware, software and operational costs and qualitative measurements like increased staff and user productivity that help in deduce the value of the implementation.

THIS SECTION FINDS THE RELATION OF THE CASE TO THE CHAPTER CONTENTS.

* Important
** More important

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS IN WRITING CWUs

1. PREPARE MINIMUM 2 FULL PAGES TO MAXIMUM 3 FULL PAGES OF WRITING FOR AN ANALYSIS – YOUR ANALYSIS SHOULD MAKE UNDERSTAND THE CASE BY YOUR CWUs TO A PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE ANY IDEA OF THE CASE; 2. USE TIMES NEW ROMAN FONT, SIZE 12, SINGLE LINE SPACE; 3. DO NOT LEAVE EXTENDED SPACES BETWEEN SECTIONS.