Request for Proposal
Introduction:
Baderman Island Resort consists of three different hotels, four restaurants, a convention center, a pro shop, a spa and two gift shops. There are three locations, which are all managed independently. Because of this the current operating systems and software are not all uniform and, for the most part, out of date. Currently, there are 26 machines running Windows XP and Word XP, 38 running Windows and Word 2000 and six machines that are currently running Windows 98 with Word 97. As stated by Callaway in Learning Team A’s week two discussion, “Actual compatibility needs to be considered. Since all of Baderman's operating systems are grossly outdated (even XP is no longer supported), compatibility with the newer software could be an issue.” As with any business the end goal is to make a profit. By having out of date software this tends to become an issue. Upgrading the current systems will allow all three locations to be on the same page, and in turn, create more profit. The final project goal is to have all 70 systems running the same operating system as well as productivity software. The overall scope of this project is to upgrade all systems in a timely and costly fashion. There are no real time constraints present, but there are hopes for the entire project to be completed fairly quickly. The reason for this is due to the fact that all three resorts will still be running during the upgrade. Factoring typical install times and issues appearing Boardman Management would like all of the machines completed within seven working days. Cost is always a big factor in any new project. Working out the prices for any licenses will be the first step. Once a solution for this is found there is always the price incurred by the vendor. The final estimation is negotiable, but Boardman would like to keep final cost in the area of $3,000. Because of this it is the hope of the Baderman Resort that a possible license agreement can be purchased. According to Microsoft, “The Microsoft Enterprise Agreement (EA) is the best licensing program for organizations that want to standardize IT across the enterprise yet retain the flexibility to choose from on-premises and cloud services.”

Technical Requirements: The standard that Baderman Resort’s is aiming for is that of the same system and software all across the board. Unfortunately, as stated above, there is a big difference in the systems that are currently in place. The type of hardware that is being used is also not known on the machines. This may lead to issues and more cost. According to Microsoft, “The minimum hardware requirements for Windows XP Professional include: * Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300 MHz is recommended) * At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended) * At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk * CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive * Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing device * Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution * Sound card ”
Because of these system requirements there may be a few, if not the majority, of computers that will meet even the most basic of these requirements. It is also important to recognize that this is a small company, and will need access to file sharing and secure log ins. Due to these two requests it is important to implement an operating system that allows for both. Being able to join a work domain is also needed. It is also important that any software is reliable and does not have frequent downtime including excessive updates. As far as maintenance goes; most of that can be handled in-house by on site techs, so no further assistance is needed after implementation. Finally, a good amount of documentation will be needed for whatever solution is decided upon. As it has been heavily discussed, all of the current systems are out of date in some way. Because of this there will be a huge learning curve that all employees will have to adjust to. The more documentation that is provided means the easier it will be for employees to adjust.

In Conclusion: It is the hope of both Boardman Management as well as Baderman Island Resorts that a timely and cost efficient solution can be found in order to upgrade out computing systems. By contacting your individual companies, as vendors, it is also our hope that you may present us with information, quotes and feedback in regards to the purchase and implementation of this new software. Thank you for your time and careful consideration in this matter.

References
Callaway (2011) Week Two Discussion. Team A. Retrieved November 14, 2011.

Microsoft. (2011) Volume Licensing. Retrieved November 14, 2011 from http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/licensing-options/enterprise.aspx

Microsoft. (2011) System requirements for Window’s XP operating systems. . Retrieved November 14, 2011 from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314865