FinalEPortfolio_Todd

I’ve spent years studying Information

Technology at Southern New Hampshire

University. Here is a collection of selected

artifacts that demonstrate what I have learned.

My E-Portfolio A Collection of Artifacts

Aaron Todd

IT-489 Aaron Todd 2/15/2016

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Table of Contents

I. Introduction – Statement of Purpose

II. Artifact I – Database

III. Artifact II – System Proposal Matrix

IV. Artifact III – Todd Land Use Consultants Website

V. Artifact IV – Acme Warehouse Contact Application Recommendation


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Introduction – Statement of Purpose

Information Technology (IT) is an ever growing industry with many emerging careers

and opportunities. For years technology has driven innovation and as someone who was raised

with extensive hands on exposure to technology in my house hold, I have become quite

interested in this area of work. However, as someone with no professional experience I am

required to educate myself in order to have successful future career. It is therefore essential that

I combine my own personal background with an education in in the technical skills and operation

in IT profession. Doing so will give me an edge in the extremely competitive battleground that

is job searching. This is why I have chosen to pursue a career in Information Technology.

I began my education earning an Associate’s Degree in General Studies at Landmark

College in Putney Vermont. As a school for students with learning challenges it provided an

essential stepping stone for adapting to a college lifestyle. Earning an associate’s degree was an

important milestone, but did not provide the tools necessary to gain a lucrative career. After

graduating I enrolled in Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in the Information

Technology program to gain a better understanding of how technology related businesses

operate. My education at SNHU has introduced me to software and platform technology that I

hope to leverage in a future career in the work force.

Throughout my attendance at SNHU I have taken many courses where I have acquired

several new skills that have that range from programming, network management, and database

design. One of the most interesting skills I have picked up is design and developing databases

learning and exposure to programs like MS Access and SQL Server. Using these programs I


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have learned about entity relationships and database normalization when storing relevant data in

a comprehensive system of databases. Database administration is an area where I can definitely

see myself pursuing a possible career. For my IT-330 class I was tasked with putting together a

functional database using MS SQL Server and while the design was not quite up to business

standards, and more of just an experiment, I feel it has given me a good understanding of the

basics of database design. I feel like I would definitely benefit from more exposure to this kind

of software.

While not directly related to my degree, I have worked part time for several years in retail

grocery sales for Market Basket and Hannaford. Part time employment with these companies

has helped me to achieve a solid work ethic that I hope I can apply to a career in Information

Technology. My years of working both independently and as a team member, as well as

experience with customer service and satisfaction are traits that I feel should qualify me for just

about any entry level position. Potential employers will find that I am a solid, reliable, and well-

rounded worker with a desire to commit 100% to any task assigned to me. The following

portfolio showcases some of the artifacts that I feel demonstrates the knowledge I gained over

my tenure in IT studies.


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Artifact 1 – Database for IT330

One of my previous courses at Southern New Hampshire University was IT-330 which

was a class on Database design. Prior to this course I had a little exposure to databases and their

functions from previous courses. Very basic and not too in depth but this class focused

specifically on the basics of database design. This was the first course where I truly started to

gain a grasp on basic database design patterns, ideas and concepts that I can see myself applying

to real life career goals. This course heavily used the software Microsoft SQL Server and using

this software I learned some of the basic code to create the forms, fill in the forms and execute

queries. For the final project of the course we all had to create a functional database using the

SQL program.

Using the basic skills I learned in the course I created an amateur designed database using

Microsoft SQL Server. I created five tables each with multiple fields and rows, several primary

keys and several relational entities. Using some of the code I picked up through the course I

even developed three executable queries. To populate the tables I chose 10 different albums

from random artists from several different musical genres and to represent the inventory of a

fictional record store. The format doesn’t make much business sense but it is fully functional

and represents I command a minimum understanding of Microsoft SQL Server.


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Entity Relationship diagram


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1. Query to display a complete list


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2. Query to display a list in alphabetical order


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3. Query to display a list ordered by artist name


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Complete code for these queries

1. Query to display a complete list

SELECT Song.SongName, Artist.ArtistName, Album.AlbumName, Genre.GenreName, Publisher.PublisherName FROM Song, Artist, Album, Genre, Publisher WHERE Song.ArtistID = Artist.ArtistID AND Song.AlbumID = Album.AlbumID AND Song.GenreID = Genre.GenreID AND Album.AlbumID = Publisher.PublisherID

2. Query to display a list ordered by song name

SELECT Song.SongName, Artist.ArtistName FROM Song INNER JOIN Artist ON Song.ArtistID = Artist.ArtistID ORDER BY Song.SongName

3. Query to display a list ordered by artist name

SELECT Song.SongName, Artist.ArtistName FROM Song INNER JOIN Artist ON Song.ArtistID = Artist.ArtistID ORDER BY Artist.ArtistName


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As I said I don’t believe this particular database has any practical application from a

business perspective. It was more of just an amateur design to demonstrate that I understood

how the software works and the basic design of relational database construction. I belief this

artifact effectively demonstrates my ability to solve technology related problems using effective

and appropriate methods, tools and critical soft-skills. I was able to use my tech knowledge to

create a functional piece of technology that accomplishes showing off my understanding of SQL

design.


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Artifact 2 – IT 415 System Proposal Matrix

For one of my previous courses at Southern New Hampshire University I took IT 415

which introduced me to some of the concepts of Advanced Information Systems Designs. For

the final project we were tasked with providing candidate system proposals to the fictitious

company Coastline Systems Consulting. I guess the scenario was CSCs customer base was

growing so rapidly the old system couldn’t keep up with the increase in customer demand. So

they needed a new system and that is where our project started.

I remember having to go online and research different hardware and software solutions

and record them in a matrix and that is what you will see below. The Matrix is split into two

appendices. The first gives detailed descriptions of the candidate systems and their features.

The second details the economic and operating feasibility of each system. Based on these

findings I went on to recommend the system with the highest operating and economic feasibility

factor.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................................................................13

Methods and Procedures .............................................................................................................................................................14

Candidate Solutions ..................................................................................................................................................................14

Feasibility ....................................................................................................................................................................................14

Appendicies.....................................................................................................................................................................................15

Appendix A - Candidate Systems Matrix ...............................................................................................................................15

Appendix B – Feasibility Analysis Matrix ...............................................................................................................................17


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Coastline Systems client base has grown in size and complexity and keeping track of clients’ hardware and

software configuration has become a complex and inefficient process. Each client PC configuration contains

various components which are replaced at different times and therefore have different warranty periods that must

be tracked. On top of that every client has multiple PCs that must be accessible by technicians. Coastline has

requested the development of a system to track client hardware/s oftware configuration that is both responsive to

clients and helpful to technicians.

By analyzing existing hardware and software it is determined the current system is out dated and does not meet

the requirements of the recommended system. Research was conducted on three different candidate solutions

and their feasibil ity.

The recommended system is Candidate 1 shown on Appendix A and B. It is a Commercial Off the Shelf system that

will be relatively easy to implement and very cost effective. The only l imited concern is it may altar the current

business process because it is off-the shelf.


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METHODS AND PROCEDURES

CANDI DATE SOLUTI ONS

See Appendix A

There are three Candidate solutions considered.

Candidate 1 is a commercial off the shelf product that can be quickly implemented and is highly customizable. It

features common commercial software products such as MS Office and Visual Studio.

Candidate 2 is another highly customizable solution, however, it must be buil t from scratch. It also uses more

obscure programs such as OpenOffice.org as opposed to the more commercial products available in Candidate 1.

Candidate 3 is similar to that of Candidate 1

FEASI BI LI TY

See Appendix B

Based on the Feasibility Analysis, Candidate 1 seems to be the most cost efficient system. It comes from a reliable

vendor and will take the least amount of time to implement. The only concern is that the staff may be resistant to

changes in process


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APPENDICIES

APPENDI X A - CANDI DATE SYSTEMS MATRI X

Characteristics Candidate 1 Candidate 2 Candidate 3

Portion of System Computerized Brief description of that portion of the system that would be computerized in

this candidate.

Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) prepackaged system that can customized to meet customer

requirements

Build from scratch, order parts individually from a well known vendor i.e NewEgg

Same as 1

Benefits Brief description of the business

benefits that would be realized for this candidate.

Quickly implemented due to being an off the shelf system

Freedom to customize as company sees fit

Same as 1

Servers and Workstations A description of the servers and workstations needed to support this candidate.

Servers: Intel Xeon

Phi Processor, Windows Server 2012

x64, minimum 4GB Ram

Workstation: Intel i7,

MS Windows 7 Enterprise x64, minimum RAM

requirement 4GB, minimum hard disk space 500GB

Same as 1 Same as 1

Software Tools Needed Software tools needed to design and build the candidate (e. g., database

management system, emulators, operating systems, languages, etc.). Not generally applicable if applications software packages are to

be purchased.

MS Visual Studio 2012 and MS SQL Server 2012 Standard x64 to be used for customization of database

and report output

MS Visual Studio 2010 Same as 1

Application Software

A description of the software to be purchased, built , accessed, or some combination of these techniques.

Workstation: MS Office Workstation: OpenOffice.org

Workstation: Same as 1

Method of Data Processing Generally some combination of: on-line, batch, deferred batch, remote batch, and real-time.

Client/Server Same as 1 Same as 1

O utput Devices and Implications A description of output devices that would be used, special output

requirements, (e.g. network, preprinted forms, etc.), and output considerations (e.g., t iming constraints).

(1) HP Color

LaserJet Enterprise CP4025dn Printer

(2) HP LaserJet

Enterprise 600 Printer M602n

Same as 1 Same as 1

Input Devices and Implications A description of Input methods to be used, input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.), special input

requirements, (e.g. new or revised forms from which data would be

Keyboard and mouse Same as 1 Same as 1


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input), and input considerations (e.g., t iming of actual inputs).

Storage Devices and Implications Brief description of what data would be stored, what data would be

accessed from existing stores, what storage media would be used, how much storage capacity would be needed, and how data would be

organized.

MS SQL Server 2012 with 4GB RAM, 500GB RAID 0 Array

Oracle, 4GB RAM, 500GB RAID 1

Same as 1


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APPENDI X B – FEASI BI LI TY ANALYSI S MATRI X

Feasibility Criteria Wt. Candidate 1 Candidate 2 Candidate 3

O perational Feasibility

An assessment of how well the solution meets the identified system requirements to solve the problems and take advantage of the

opportunities envisioned for the system.

15% Off-the shelf may not fully support current work-flows.

Current business process may have to be altered

Score: 60

Customized system will allow current business process to

remain similar/unchanged

Score: 80

Same as 1

Score: 60

Cultural/Political Feasibility An assessment of how well the solution will be accepted in a given

organizational climate.

15% Possible employee resistance due to an unfamiliar process and interface

Score: 60

No foreseeable problems

Score:100

Same as 1

Score: 60

Technical Feasibility An assessment of the practicality of

the solution and the availability of technical resources and expertise to implement and maintain it.

20% Reliable vendor and manufacturer. Vendor provides free technical and hardware

support for one year

Score: 100

Staff will require software development skills.

Score: 70

Same as 1

Score: 100

Economic Feasibility An assessment of the cost-effectiveness of a project or solution.

Cost to develop: Payback period (discounted):

Net present value:

Detailed calculations:

30%

Approx; $400,000 3 years

Approx: 180,000

Score: 80

Approx; $500,000 4.5 years

Approx: 210,000

Score: 50

Approx; $420,000 3.2 years

Approx: 195,000

Score: 70

Schedule Feasibility An assessment of how long the solution will take to design and implement.

10%

3 months

Score: 90

6-12 months

Score:50

5-6 months

Score: 60

Legal Feasibility An assessment of how well the

solution can be implemented within existing legal and contractual obligations.

10% No foreseeable problem

Score: 100

No foreseeable problem

Score: 100

No foreseeable problem

Score: 100

Ranking: 100% 80 71 75


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I believe this artifact greatly demonstrates that I am able to develop a professional

identity from which to make globally, socially and ethically responsible IT and systems decisions

in line with legal and organizational policy requirements. I would imagine this project would be

in line with a report you would have to submit to a project manager or head of your company to

carry out such a project.


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Artifact 3 – Todd Land Use Consultants, LLC Web Site

At my previous school, Landmark College I took an elective in Web Design. In this

course I learned some of the basic code and software web developers use to bring their ideas to

life. The primary software we used is a program called Adobe Dreamweaver which is apparently

a very commonly used software for web developers. Using this software each student created

their very own web page for a final project in the course. This was the first class I took that I

would end up using what I learned for monetary gain. The software skills and experience from

this course would end up having a profound impact on the advancement of my professional life.

Sometime after I had graduated from Landmark I was provided a unique business

opportunity. My grandfather, who owns a small land surveying business, was in the market to

create a web site for the company. Todd Land Use Consultants, LLC is a relatively small one

office company in my hometown New Boston, NH and naturally he didn’t have too much money

to afford something fancy. Using the knowledge I had gained in my course and previous designs

my grandfather had scrapped at his first attempt to commission a site, I was able to deliver an

actual functioning site. www.toddlanduse.com

http://www.toddlanduse.com/


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Home page for Todd Land Use web site

It’s a very basic design but I did add some pretty impressive drop down, highlighting and

clicking effects that give it a slight modern flavor. It’s not fancy but it’s exactly what he needed

for his business needs. I also received a relatively impressive payment for my services. Overall

I was very pleased with the outcome of this project. I created a fully-functioning and most

importantly, live web site. I wish I had more time and resources to improve its aesthetic design.

And I was unable to figure out how to link it with metatags for search engines but the web site is

out there. Using my ability to employ appropriate oral and written communication skills to meet


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the needs of diverse audiences using oral, print and multimedia strategies I was able to create this

artifact for an actual real life business. It may not meet the current standards of commercial web

design in terms of flashiness but it serves a real life professional purpose and I am proud to have

it as a piece of my professional portfolio.


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Artifact 4 – Acme Warehouse Contact Management Application

For IT-315 we were presented with a scenario for a fictional company called Acme

Warehouse. For this scenario the fictional corporation Acme Warehouse has requested the

development of a contact management application. They are currently using a commercial

product to manage their ever expanding customer list but they are looking for a more

comprehensive tool then the one they are currently using. The companies final project included

common functionalities such as the ability to save, edit, delete and import existing contacts.

User and administrative task levels have been requested.

For the final project in this course I was to recommend a new application to the company

and describe its functional and non functional requirements. The project itself is just a simple

power point presentation that was submitted to Blackboard. In the presentation I included three

diagrams to demonstrate its operation. A Use Case, Class and Sequence diagram are included to

give the stakeholders a visual representation of how the application will operate. The diagrams,

in particular the sequence diagram are very detailed. Since the powerpoint itself is very lengthy I

will simply include the three diagrams from the presentation.


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Sequence diagram

Use-Case diagram


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Class diagram

Looking back at this artifact and the diagrams in particular the class diagram, there is a

lot I would do differently. For starters there is quite a bit of normalization that could be done in

the class diagram to reduce redundancy. I don’t think data redundancy was a factor for this

assignment but after learning about normalization it’s something I can’t help noticing and being

bothered by. Other than that this artifact I feel like this powerpoint artifact greatly demonstrates

my ability to recommend appropriate core information technologies, systems, data manipulation

methods, and computational thinking solutions to support organizational decision-making

strategies within a business environment.

FinalEPortfolio_Todd

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