Running head: RETAIL SECTOR
REVOLUTIONIZING THE RETAIL SECTOR
Georgia D. Lewis
Strayer University
Instructor: Kegan Samuel
CIS512 Advanced Computer Architecture 10/20/2013
Abstract
This paper reveals the outcome of the evaluation of Digipos revolutionizing the retail sector. The paper addresses results from the examination and assessment within the main computer problems Digipos is faced with due to system upgrades. An alternative solution is given to resolve the problems. Similarities and differences are discussed between Quantum Blade and Retail Blade system in terms of computer architecture and performance. An Evaluation is also given on Digipos method to reduce the total cost of ownership.
Revolutionizing the Retail Sector
This paper reveals the outcome of the evaluation of Digipos revolutionizing the retail sector. The paper addresses results from the examination and assessment within the main computer problems Digipos is faced with due to system upgrades. An alternative solution is given to resolve the problems. Similarities and differences are discussed between Quantum Blade and Retail Blade system in terms of computer architecture and performance. An Evaluation is also given on Digipos method to reduce the total cost of ownership. The main computer problems Digipos is faced with due to upgrading is the current timing for system updates and the loss of revenue and reputation for businesses. Retailers upgrade their electronic point of sale once every five to seven years. This causes a problem with getting recent updates for the system. If updates are not made often it could cause the system to crash. If some features are altered with the system, devices may not be recognized. Replacing the system components causes problems due to loss of revenue and reputation. The overhaul consists of replacing:
“The computer hardware provides the physical mechanisms to input and output data. It manipulates and process data, to manipulate and process data, and to electronically control the various input, output and storage components. The software, both application and system, which provides instructions that tell the hardware exactly what tasks are to be performed and in what order. The data that is being manipulated and processed may be numeric, it may be alphanumeric, and it may be graphic. The communication component consists of hardware and software that transport programs and data between interconnected computer systems” (Englander, 2009). Digipos method is to upgrade retailer’s electronic point of sale solutions once every five to seven years. The system updates could be done often throughout the year. System updates should be checked for every other month. Disregarding updates could take away important bug and performance fixes. Digipos devised a unique retail technology solution based on embedded Intel architecture processors. This solutions was created to decreases downtime and reduce the time and cost associated with maintenance. Digipos could have replaced all computers with laptops until systems upgrades were complete. A peer-to-peer architecture could have been put in place along with a cloud for backups.
“Peer-to-peer architecture treats the computers in a network as equals, with the ability to share files and other resources and to move them between computers. With appropriate permissions, any computer on the network can view the resources of any other computer on the network, and can share those resources” (Englander, 2009). The Quantum Blade and Retail Blade have some similarities and differences. According to Intel’s (2009) article, “the quantum blade and retail blade both enables retailers to swap only the parts of the solution they need to upgrade, making complete replacement a thing of the past. They both enable retailers to introduce the latest high-performance technology while maintaining configurations and installations. They also decrease downtime and reduce the time and cost associated with maintenance. The Quantum Blade and Retail Blade both run on an Intel SSD. Some contrasts are the Quantum Blade offers greater energy efficiency than the Retail Blade. The Quantum Blade embedded platform uses the latest Intel Atom processor technology, Intel chipset, and network card”. DigiPos method to reducing the total cost of ownership will work. DigiPos spends a huge amount of money in research and development with Intel. The more business DigiPos does with Intel, the better their discount will be. This allows DigiPos to lower the cost for their customers as they receive more benefits. Englander (2009) states, “When the goal of a project os to implement a system of some type, it is sometimes convenient to view the components of a system as module that can be implemented independently, then linked together to produce the final result. This technique can simplify analysis, design, assembly, upgrading, and even repair”. In conclusion, DigiPos overall methods are very successful. When it comes to upgrading there are minor cons, but can easily be adjusted. The Quantum blade and Retail Blade have a lot of comparison and very few differences. The newer version of EPoS systems has a little more detail than the previous system for better improvement. Digipos has a very good reputation due to maximizing investments, and reliable roadmaps.
References
Englander, I. (2009). The Architecture of Computer Hardware, Systems Software, & Networking. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & sons, Inc..
Kim, B. (Sept. 4, 2013) How to Solve The 10 Most Common Tech Support Problems Yourself. Retrieved from http://www.pcworld.com/article/2047667/how-to-solve-the-10-most-common-tech-support-problems-yourself.html
Parry, P. (2011) Revolutionizing the Retail Sector. Retrieved from http://www.intel.ie/content/dam/doc/case-study/high-performance-computing-atom-core-i7-digipos-case-study.pdf 