• A computer that is connected to the company’s computer network
• A networked dot-matrix printer
• Software for spreadsheets, databases, and e-mail.

Warehouse, Packing, and Delivery:

• A laptop computer that can be connected to the network

• A networked dot-matrix printer

• Software for spreadsheets, databases, and e-mail.

Sales:

• 2 networked computers
• A laptop computer
• A networked colour printer
• Software for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, a website, and e-mail.

Administration:

• Networked computers
• A networked laser printer
• Software for word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and e-mail.

The tasks that need to be completed for this unit all relate to the purchase of the necessary hardware and software required by JB Sports and to the setting up of the computer system.

To print a copy of the scenario, press here.

Task 1

Your first task is to identify and cost the equipment needed by JB Sports Limited, and report the results of your recommendations. You should present your report to John Brown in the form of a memo that includes technical details about the computer hardware and software that needs to be bought (including costs).

Because John Brown knows very little about ICT you will also need to explain why each of the departments has different requirements and how your choice of equipment will meet their specific needs.

To print a copy of the task, press here.

Assistance with Task 1

Finding information about the cost of hardware and software:

It is important that you use commercial computer suppliers to find the costs of the hardware and software you need to buy for JB Sports.

Do not use High Street suppliers like Curry's, Comet, or PC World. Your should use suppliers like Technomatic, who are a nationally recognised supplier of computer hardware and software.

You should print out the relevant pages (including technical information) from the suppliers' catalogues so that you can use it to support the work you will do for this task.

Producing a memorandum:

You will need to produce a spreadsheet in MS Excel to show how the money will be spent to buy the relevant hardware and software.

An example of a spreadsheet that shows how the money will be spent can be found here.

The memorandum should be addressed to John Brown and should be from you. It should have the MS Excel spreadsheet attached to it.

The memorandum should state:

1. How much of the budget you have spent;

2. What hardware and software each department needed (see the Scenario for this information);

3. Why each department needs the particular hardware and/or software you have bought (see here for suggestions).

An example blank memorandum can be found here.

What you must hand in

Print out the Unit/Task front sheet.

Attach to it:

1. Your completed memorandum;

2. Your completed spreadsheet;

3. The relevant printouts from the suppliers catalogues you have used.

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Task 2

Your second task is to produce a small website for the Sales Department. The Sales Manager wants the following information included on the website:

• The company’s logo

• The company’s address, telephone number, fax numbers, and e-mail address

• An ‘on line’ catalogue that shows examples of each of the company’s main products and example prices (N.B. this website is for the owners of shops who want to buy from a manufacturer – the prices are what they will expect to pay NOT what public expects to pay. Allow for at least a 60% price mark-up.)

• A printable order form that customers can fill in and send by post, fax, or e-mail.

So that the Sales Manager can understand how you have produced the website, you will need to present sketch designs for each page of the website as well as print outs of each page as it is developed. You will also need to print out the html coding used to produce each page. You should also include suggestions about how the website could be improved in the future, and what software was used (and could be used) to produce the website.

To print a copy of the task, press here.

Assistance with Task 2

Your webpage can be produced by typing in the html in MS Notepad or by using a web authoring programme such as MS FrontPage.

An example of the html code needed to produce a three page website with a side navigation bar can be found here.

A list of the basic html codes can be found here.

What you must hand in

Print out the Unit/Task front sheet.

Attach to it:

1. Your sketch designs;

2. Printouts of each page of your website;

3. Printouts of the html code for each page of your website;

4. A short statement that explains how the design could be improved and what software was used (and could be used) to produce your design.

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Task 3

Your third task is to create a template for headed notepaper for JB Sports and a set of macros for the Administration Department. The Administration Manager wants the following routine tasks to be done:

• Adding the Administration Manager’s signature block to letters sent out by the company

• Adding payment conditions to bills sent to existing customers (‘Payment by account customers must be made within 60 working days of the billing date. Any payments made after that date will be subject to a charge of 1.5% over base rate per month.’) and to new customers (‘Payment by customers must be made within 30 working days of the billing date. Any payments made after that date will be subject to a charge of 1.5% over base rate per month.’)

These tasks will require you to create the template and macros for the Administration Department. So that the Administration staff can understand how to use and create their own macros in future, you will need to write a short explanation (using as many screen dumps as you feel necessary) that covers the use and creation of macros.

To print a copy of the task, press here.

Assistance with Task 3

A step-by-step set of instructions for creating a template can be found by pressing the Help button or Help icon on the MS Word toolbar.

A step-by-step set of instructions for creating a macro can be found by pressing the Help button or Help icon on the MS Word toolbar.

These instructions can also be used as the basis for the short explanations about how to create templates and macros that you will need to write for the Administration staff.

What you must hand in

Print out the Unit/Task front sheet.

Attach to it:

1. A printout of your headed notepaper template;

2. A set of step-by-step instructions that explain how you created your template;

3. Printouts of your headed notepaper with each of your macros in use;

4. A set of step-by-step instructions that explain how you created your macros.

Task 4

Your fourth task is to show John Brown an example of word processed work that has been incorrectly processed. You must show what mistakes have been made (including spelling mistakes and typographical errors) and correct them. You should present him with an original copy, an annotated copy that shows the mistakes, and a corrected copy. Please explain why some of the mistakes have occurred and what steps should be taken to avoid these problems in the future.

To print a copy of the task, press here.

Assistance with Task 4

The letter that has been incorrectly word processed can be found here.

You should print two copies of it. You should keep one as it is, and you should annotate the other to show that you can identify all the mistakes that have been made.

You should then save a copy of the letter into your user area, and using MS Word you should correct all the mistakes you have identified. You should then print a copy of the corrected letter.

You should then print a short explanation for John Brown that explains the different types of mistakes that have occurred and how they could be avoided (see here for suggestions)

What you must hand in

Print out the Unit/Task front sheet.

Attach to it:

1. A copy of the original letter;

2. A copy of the original letter with annotations that show the mistakes you have identified;

3. A copy of the letter with the mistakes corrected;

4. A short explanation about the various types of mistakes that have occurred and how they can be avoided.

Task 5

Your fifth task is to set up a set of back-up files for your Unit 3 work. This must be demonstrated by annotated screen dumps that show the original files and the back-ups. Please explain why back-ups are necessary, and what steps can be taken to protect data from loss.

To print a copy of the task, press here.

Assistance with Task 5

There are a variety of ways in which you can save back-up copies of your work. These include:

• Saving copies (not originals) of your work on to a storage media (e.g. floppy disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, separate area on the computer's hard drive);

• Saving hard copies of your work (i.e. printed copies);

• Setting the computer program you are using to 'autosave' your work (see a step-by-step set of instructions for setting computer programs to 'autosave' your work by pressing the Help button or Help icon on the toolbar and searching for 'autosave'. Be careful - not all computer programs will 'autosave'). This will create a back-up copy of each file as you work on it.

• Manually saving copies of your files with different files names (e.g. 'Copy of .....').

What you must hand in

Print out the Unit/Task front sheet.

Attach to it:

1. Annotated screen dumps of your work area on the network, showing the folder that you have saved your Unit 3 work in and the files saved in that folder

2. Annotated screen dumps of your work area on the network, showing the folder that you have created in which you have saved back-up files of your Unit 3 work ;

3. A short explanation about why back-up files are necessary, and an outline of the various methods that can be used.

Task 6

Your sixth task is to assemble one of the computers and:

• Configure the operating system;

• Install software;

• Install hardware (including any device drivers that it needs);

• Check that computer is working properly and that all the changes you have made are working;

• Ensure that all your work has been conducted under safe conditions and complies with Health and Safety guidelines.

This task will be set up by the ICT Technicians, and you will be assessed by an observer. The assessor will watch what you do and how you do it, and will note this as you complete the task. They will also take photographs of you as you work to provide additional evidence.

To print a copy of the task, press here.

Assistance with Task 6

You will be given a demonstration of the practical tasks you will need to complete before you undertake this task.

What you must hand in

Print out the Unit/Task front sheet.

Hand this to your assessor/observer before you begin this task.

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Task 7

INPUT, STORAGE, AND OUTPUT DEVICES

Using a variety of different sources (including textbooks and the Internet) prepare a booklet that explains (in detail) the various types of input and output devices used on personal computers.

What you must hand in

The booklet should be A4 with numbered pages (and, if possible a contents page and an index). It should be divided into three sections - Input Devices, Storage Devices, and Output Devices - with separate chapters in each section about each type of device. Each chapter should include a detailed description of each device, including its function and main characteristics, and - where possible - relevant images and / or diagrams.

The list of devices that should be covered includes:

Input Devices:
o Keyboard
o Mouse
o Rollerball
o Scanner
o Digital Camera
o Microphone
o Joystick
Storage Devices:
o Hard Drive
o Floppy Drive
o CD ROM / DVD Drive
Output Devices:
o VDU monitor/screen
o Printers
o Plotters
o Speakers

Two copies of the booklet should be printed and handed in.

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Suggestions

The Production Department needs a Dot-matrix Printer that can print multi-part NCR (no carbon required) production dockets.

The Production Department needs Spreadsheet software to handle numerical production data, Database software to keep track of the products the company manufactures and the raw materials they use, and E-mail to communicate with the other Departments and the company's suppliers.

The Sales Department needs a Laptop Computer to take to potential customers so that the customers can see pre-prepared sales presentations and orders can be processed at once.

The Sales Department needs a Colour Laser Printer to produce brochures and catalogues.

The Sales Department needs Word Processing software to communicate with customers, Spreadsheet software to handle the costing of orders, Website Authoring software to prepare a website for the company, and E-mail to communicate with the other Departments and the company's customers.

The Warehouse, Packing, and Delivery Department needs a Laptop Computer to take around the warehouse so that they can keep an up-to-date inventory of the company's stock.

The Warehouse, Packing, and Delivery Department needs a Dot-matrix Printer that can print multi-part NCR (no carbon required) invoices.

The Warehouse, Packing, and Delivery Department needs Spreadsheet software to handle numerical production data from the Production Department, Database software to keep track of the products the company has in its warehouse, and E-mail to communicate with the other Departments and the company's customers.

The Administration Department needs a Laser Printer to produce high quality and volume printouts.

The Administration Department needs Spreadsheet software to handle numerical data from the other Departments and the company's accounts, Database software to store data on the company's customers, and E-mail to communicate with the other Departments and the company's suppliers and customers.

Back to Task 1

Common Mistakes

Besides common spelling mistakes, the use of the wrong language on the Spellchecker might indicate spelling mistakes that are not and conceal spelling mistakes that are! So check that the right language (UK English) has been selected and set as the default. Be careful - not all words that the spellchecker identifies are spelt incorrectly - they may well be words that are not in its dictionary (e.g. Surnames, place names).

Other common errors arise from typographical mistakes (i.e. typing in the wrong letter or typing letters in the wrong order). For example, shirts instead of shorts (the 'i' and 'o' are next to each other on the keyboard), fife instead of five (the 'f' is above 'v' on the keyboard), and pats instead of past (the 't' and the 's' have been reversed).

Other common errors are grammatical errors. This can be checked using the Grammar checker. Be careful - it will suggest changes to your grammar, but that is all that they are - suggestions. You do not have to make every change that is suggested.

Back to Task 4