History Of The Bus Topology

History Of The Bus Topology A bus topology is a network set up in which nodes are connected to a segment of cable in the logical shape of a line, with a terminator at each end. A bus topology connects each computer or nodes to a single segment trunk. All nodes on the network share a common bus and use a multi-drop transmission medium. Bus network allows only one device to transmit at a time. A distributed access protocol determines which station is to transmit. The signal goes from one end of the bus to another. A terminator is needed at each to cut down the signal so it does not reflect back across the bus. CSMA/CA, media access method, is used to control the collisions that take place when two signals placed on the wire at the same time. There are two types of bus topology: Linear Bus Topology and Distributed Bus Topology. In Linear Bus Topology, all nodes of the network are connected to a common transmission medium which has exactly two endpoints. Distributed Bus in which all of the nodes of the network are connected to a common transmission medium which has more than two endpoints that are created by adding branches to the main section of the transmission medium. Bus networks do best with a limited number of devices. If more than limited computers are added to a bus, performance problems will be result. If the backbone cable fails, the entire network effectively becomes unusable. Fig: Bus Topology Ring Topology Ring network topology has no central server and connects computers in a circle of point-to-point connections. Each node handles its own applications. And also shares resources over the entire network. If one node becomes break down, the others are still able to maintain contact with one another. Such a network is best for decentralized systems because no priorities are required. The signal is transferred through a token for one station to the next. When a station needs to transmit, it grabs the token, attaches data and an address to it. And then routes it around the ring. The token travels along the ring till reaches the destination address. The receiving computer replies an acknowledgment to the sender source. The sender then releases the token for use by another computer. Each station on the ring has equal access but only one station can use token at a time. To allow an orderly access to the ring, a single electronic token passes from one computer to the next around the ring. A computer can only transmit data when it captures the token Fig: Ring Topology Star Topology A star topology is one of the most use common network topology where each of the devices and computers on a network connect to a central hub or sometimes just a switch. On a star network, data passes though the hub to its destination. The hub manages and controls all functions of the network. It also performs as a repeater for the data flow. In a star network, the entire network is dependent on the hub so if there is a problem with the hub, the entire network is not working. This makes it easy to troubleshoot by offering a single point for error connection and at the same time the dependency is also very high on that single point. Every computer in the network is safe when the hub is safe. This type of network also offers more privacy than any other network. The star network topology requires more cable than the usual Bus topology. A common cable that is used in star network is the UTP or the unshielded twisted pair cable. Another common cable that is used in star networks is the RJ45 or the Ethernet cables. If one computer fails in the network, it does not affect any other computer in the network and the purposes of this computer can be easily changed to the next computer easily using the controls of hub. In a Star Network Topology it is possible to have all the important data backups on the hub in a private folder so if one computer fails, it can still use data using the next computer in the network and accessing the backup files on the hub. New devices or nodes can easily be added to the Star Network by just extending a cable from the hub. Because of the hub controls everything, the addition or removal of devices are done using the hub. If the hub adds a device such as a printer or a fax machine, all the other computers on the network can access that new device by accessing the hub. The device is no need to be installed on all the computers in the entire network. The central function is cost effective and easier to maintain. Fig: Star Topology Mesh Topology A type of network configuration where each of the computers and network devices are interconnected with one another allows for most transmissions to be distributed even if one of the connections goes down. This type of topology is not commonly used for most computer networks because it is difficult and expensive to have redundant connection to every computer. In Mesh network, it can route data, voice and instructions between nodes. It allows for continuous connections and reconfiguration around broken or blocked paths by hopping from node to node until the destination is reached. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network. The network can still operate even when a node fails or a connection goes bad. On a mesh network, messages can send via any of several possible paths from source to destination. It employs one of two connection arrangements, full mesh topology or partial mesh topology. In the full mesh topology, each node is connected directly to each of the others. In the partial mesh topology, some nodes are connected to all the others, but some of the nodes are connected only to those other nodes with which they exchange the most data. Fig: Mesh Topology Different types of cables Different types of network cables are used depending on the kind of network. The type of cable used for a network depends on the networks topology, protocol, and size. If a network has large number of network devices, it will need cables that provide high speed and error free connectivity. Some of the cables being used today are Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables, coaxial cables and fiber optic cables. The UTP cable is the most popular variety, largely used for school networks as it transfers data at 100 mbps. Coaxial cables have a single copper conductor at their center. A plastic layer provides insulation between the center conductor and the braided metal shield. The outer metal shield blocks out outer interferences such as lights, motors and other computers. Fiber optic cables consist of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of protective materials. It transmits light rather than electronic signals and transfers signals over much longer distances than coaxial and twisted pair cables. Network cables are the backbone of any network. However, today several networks are switching over to other mediums of data transfer such as high frequency radio signals, and infrared light beams to connect the workstations. These systems are not only fast and effective, but also do away with the problem of maintain several hundred feet of cables spreading across the workspace. With such technologies coming to the forefront, the future may well tilt in favor of wireless systems. 10Mbps Networking Standard Cable Type Segment Length Connector 10Base2 Thin Coaxial 185 meters BNC 10BaseT Category 3, 4, 5 twisted pair 100 meters RJ-45 10BaseFL Fiber-optic 2000 meters SC/ST b) Advantages and Disadvantages of medium. Media Type Maximum Segment Length Speed Cost Advantages Disadvantages UTP 100 m 10 Mbps to 1000 Mbps Least expensive Easy to install; widely available and widely used Susceptible to interference; can cover only a limited distance STP 100 m 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps More expensive than UTP Reduced crosstalk; more resistant to EMI than Thinnet or UTP Difficult to work with; can cover only a limited distance Coaxial 500 m (Thicknet) 185 m (Thinnet) 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps Relatively inexpensive, but more costly than UTP Less susceptible to EMI interference than other types of copper media Difficult to work with (Thicknet); limited bandwidth; limited application (Thinnet); damage to cable can bring down entire network Fiber-Optic 10 km and farther (single-mode) 2 km and farther (multimode) 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps (single mode) 100 Mbps to 9.92 Gbps (multimode) Expensive Cannot be tapped, so security is better; can be used over great distances; is not susceptible to EMI; has a higher data rate than coaxial and twisted-pair cable Difficult to terminate c) Recommendation. Star topology would be the best way to use for renewing Townsville Police Department Network infrastructure because of in-house network (LAN) structure. Star topology should be also used for following reasons. Easy to install and reconfigure. No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing devices. Easy to detect faults and to remove parts. Less expensive. Includes robustness, that is, if one link fails, only that link is affected, other links remain active. It has been said that Townsville Police Department covers an area of 100 square kilometers and Townsville is divided into four districts (Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern). For that reason, the switch should be placed in the center of four districts. So, the network cable must cover 50 kilometer and the switch must be gigabit Ethernet. Therefore, UTP with cat6E is the most suitable network for such an area of network. Category 6 UTP Category 6 supports gigabit Ethernet and is recognized by standards bodies as supporting 10GBASE-T, however there are limitations that must be considered. The IEEE 802.3an standard cites a 55 meter distance limitation for standard category 6, which is not universally agreed upon within the TIA and ISO standards.TIA TSB 155 recently released a Technical Service Bulletin covering additional parameters for running 10GBASE-T on standard category 6. In this document a 37 meter distance limitation is referenced for 10GBASE-T on standards compliant category 6 systems. Between 37 meters and the IEEE referenced 55 meters, standard category 6 may support 10GBASE-T, but it is possible that the installer may have to use alien crosstalk mitigation techniques such as unbundling cables or replacing patch cords to improve the electrical parameters to allow 10GBASE-T to work properly. Above 55 meters, it is unlikely that category 6 UTP would work properly without a large amount of mitigation to reduc e alien crosstalk. A key takeaway is that using category 6 UTP for 10GBASE-T should be focused on existing installations, not new installations. The choice for new installations designed to support 10GBASE-T should be augmented category 6 UTP, STP or optical fiber systems. Category 6 Advantages  » Cost and size of media, relative to augmented category 6 and STP  » Installed base currently the dominant UTP cabling standard  » Installation widely accepted Category 6 Disadvantages  » Limited distance for 10GBASE-T  » External noise suppression at 100 m, relative to shielded systems or augmented category 6 Task 2 a) Nowadays, there are several usages of Internet by means of so many ways. There are three basic Internet services: Information (browsing, online-shopping, etc.) Communications (mail, chat, Video conferencing, etc.) Files sharing (downloading, uploading, etc.) b) The connecting suitable for above severs are as follows: For Information service: It can cover only 100 Kbits/s usually prove adequate. For Communication: For video conferencing, bandwidths of no more than 384 Kbits/s usually prove adequate. As for chatting communication, especially for yahoo chat, 28 Kbits/s should be enough. For File Sharing: As for file sharing, bandwidths of more than 1 Mbit/s are most suitable. c) The Internet Service Provider in Myanmar Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications The Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), is the sole provider of telecommunication services in Myanmar. It is a Government Agency, operating under the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs. It was founded in 1884 as a small Department of Posts and Telegraphs and has grown into the present day Myanma Posts and Telecommunications with approximately 13800 employees of which about 380 are managerial level staff. The present organization is headed by the Managing Director and a General Manager as his deputy. There are nine major departments operating under respective deputy general managers/chief engineers in the fields of administration, works and inspection, planning, training, finance, stores, automatic telephones, overseas communications and long distance communications. The three main categories of services rendered by MPT are the postal services, telegraph services and telephone services, for both domestic and international communications. d) Since, there is only one ISP in our country (Myanmar); we have to use MPT (Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication) as an ISP for our country. Task 3 a) Methods of Two-Way Voice communications Two-way voice communications (radios) are essentially available in three types: Hand-held portable, Vehicle-mounted mobile, and Desktop-base station There are also unique two-way radio devices such as indoor and outdoor call boxes and one-way radio receivers for wireless paging. Hand-held portable two-way radios are the walkie talkie type of radios. As ruled by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), hand-held radios may not have more than 5 watts of power. Vehicle-mounted mobile two-way radios mount in a car or truck and they use the vehicles battery for power. They may have their own antenna, but better range is achieved by using an externally-mounted antenna. Desktop base station radios use wall AC power and they too may have a built-in antenna, but this antenna may be disconnected and then connected to cable that leads to an external-mounted antenna. The higher the antenna is mounted, the better the range. The vehicle-mounted mobile radios are usually used as base stations by just adding an AC to DC power converter. Mobile and Base station radios are usually more powerful than hand-held radios and may have as much as 100 watts of power. Frequencies There are two major frequency formats for two-way radios. They are Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio. Neither frequency band is inherently better than the other. They each have their pluses and minuses. Both formats are effective ways to communicate with another person. UHF radio The UHF radio band for commercial radios is between 400 512 MHz. Until recently, it wasnt widely used. Now, the UHF radio frequency is used for two-way radios, GPS, Blue-tooth, cordless phones, and WiFi. VHF radio The VHF radio band for commercial radios is between 130 174 MHz. FM radio, two-way radios, and television broadcasts operate in this range. Both UHF and VHF radios are prone to line of sight factors, but VHF a little more so. The waves make it through trees and rugged landscapes, but not as well as UHF frequencies do. However, if a VHF wave and a UHF wave were transmitted over an area without barriers, the VHF wave would travel almost twice as far. This makes VHF easier to broadcast over a long range. Two-way radios, hand-held portable, vehicle-mounted mobile and desktop base station are full duplex. b) Legal requirement for operation system Two -way radio devices Two-way radio power Antennas Channel usages FCC Licensing Audio Accessories Cases, Holsters, and Belt Clips Batteries Repeaters Drop-in Charger Multi-charging Units Selectable Power Operators Administrators Control station Additional and optional knowledge of two-way voice communication technology Overall knowledge of how to use a selected two-way voice communication device Costs of setting up and operating the system in my country As for hand-held two way voice communication device, according to amazon.com, the costs are as follows: For Cobra CTX400 GMRS/FRS 2-Way Rechargeable Radio with Hands-Free Operation (Pair) $36.88 For Townsville Police Department, total cost for using hand-held two way voice communication device is up to $2065.28. d) Limitations of each method (interference, range, etc.). Product Features 22 Mile Range, 22 Channels 121 Privacy Codes 10 Channel NOAA radio Hands-free operation (VOX) 8 Rechargeable AAA batteries, and a 2 port desk charger included Maximum range extender and belt clip included for maximum efficiency and carrying ease Lead-Free, Eco-Friendly Packaging e) As for following feature Highlights, tow way voice communication should be set up. VOX The Voice Activated Transmit (VOX) feature enables us to use our radio hands free. When VOX is turned on, the radio will automatically begin transmitting when we speak, without pressing the push-to-talk button. VOX works well for any application. On most VOX-capable radios there is a slight delay between when we start speaking and when the microphone turns on so the first part of the conversation may be clipped. Most radio users overcome this by repeating the first word. Military Specification Standards In an effort to achieve standardization objectives for purchases of products used by the military and other government organizations, the U.S. Department of Defense created standards that these products must meet. We will see these standards called military standard, MIL-STD, or MIL-SPEC. These standards ensure products meet certain requirements, commonality, reliability, compatibility, and similar defense-related objectives. According to Military Specification Standards, Townsville Police Department should be used Cobra CTX400 GMRS/FRS 2-Way Rechargeable Radio. Task 4 a) Since AVAYA IP Office 4.0 is only software for PBX telephone system, the main equipment that would be installed is only software. The procedure for the installation is as follows: Installation To establish and maintain an IP DECT installation, a network infrastructure is assumed, which comprises at least the following components: IP Base Stations IP DECT phone IP Office TFTP server (which can be the IP Office or 3rd Party) Depending on the operational requirements the following services should be provided: DHCP SNTP DNS WML/HTTP Syslog daemon b) AVAYA IP Office 4.0 Telephone System (IP DECT) Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication The standard (ETS 300 175) essentially specifies the air interface, known as the radio interface. Voice and data can both be transmitted via this interface. DECT key technical characteristics are: Frequency range: approximately 1,880 1,900 GHz (approximately 20 MHz bandwidth) 10 carrier frequencies (1,728 MHz spacing) with 12 time slots each Doubling the number of time slots (to 24) using the TDMA process Net data rate per channel of 32 kbit/s (for voice transmission using ADPCM) Voice coding using the ADPCM method Maximum transmission power of 10 mW GAP Generic About the IP DECT Base Stations There are two types of IP Base Station. All IP Base Stations have the same hardware and software capabilities. Indoor IP Base Station The indoor IP Base Station is for indoor use only. It can be powered by a mains adapter or by 802.3af compliant power over Ethernet. Note For Australia and New Zealand the mains adaptor is not currently supported. Only 802.3af compliant power over Ethernet is supported. Outdoor IP Base Station The outdoor IP Base Station can be used outdoors or indoors. The outdoor IP Base Station can only be powered by 802.3af compliant power over Ethernet. Note Avaya Power over Ethernet adaptors are non 802.3af compliant, and therefore cannot power the ADMM. One of the IP Base Station within an IP DECT installation must be chosen (at installation time) to operate as the ADMM. This ADMM mode is in addition to the normal IP Base Station functionality that all the other base stations retain. c) Costs for installing AVAYA IP office There are two models of phones: the 3701 and 3711 phones. Avaya Kirk DECT phones (WT9620 and DT20) function on the IP DECT solution, but the functionality is limited. AVAYA Partner 18D- Digital phone 3 new from $95.00 Avaya 6408D+- Digital phone -multi-line operation Avaya 5621SWP IP Phone (700385982) Avaya IP400 Analog Trunk 4 card Available at external website: Atlas Phones for $199.00 d) Costs for operating the system Avaya IP Office Smart Card w/Voicemail Pro like new, available at external website: Atlas Phones for $1,095.00. Premise-based IP PBX systems vary extremely widely in cost and even more so as we look at wide-scale deployments and future growth and additions to a system. A basic premise-based box for a relatively small number of users say up to 20 in a single location can cost less than $1,000 excluding the phones themselves. But expansion costs and other branch locations can change the cost equation dramatically. In addition, we will have ongoing costs related to connection to the regular phone system and whatever connection costs are imposed by our backbone supplier. These ongoing costs are nevertheless going to be considerably lower than any other form of phone system. They should be lower than hosted VoIP solutions, and they will be dramatically lower than any older PBX and telecommunications provider. Phones are an additional cost, but when buying a premise-based IP PBX system, we often have greater flexibility than in any other arrangement. We can choose to go with very low-cost, no-name or bottom-of-the-line phones (which are still perfectly capable) all the way up to top-notch phones from manufacturers such as Polycom and Siemens that provide usability benefits (although often at a price premium). For Townsville Police Department, AVAYA Partner 18D- Digital phone should be used up to 6 base stations as for details, one Headquarter Reception Area, four Districts, and one serious crime squad. e) Recommendation for AVAYA The IP DECT solution delivers all the benefits of IP-based converged communications with the convenience of in-building wireless communications. Designed to support a large number of users, the IP DECT system enables users to carry a wireless phone and get full access to all the features they are accustomed to using at their desk phone. The IP DECT solution, which connects to the IP Office using a variant of the H.323 protocol, can support users in different offices that are connected via a WAN. An IP DECT cordless handset can travel from one office to another, making and taking calls. The DECT over IP system comprises the following components: At least one IP Base Station connected over an IP network and offering IP DECT as a wireless interface. A maximum of 32 IP Base Stations are supported. IP Office Small Office Edition, IP Office 406v2, 403, 406v1 or 412 with available VCM resources. IP DECT phone: Avaya 3701 and Avaya 3711 wireless phones. A maximum of 120 IP DECT phones are supported. Avaya IP DECT Mobility Manager (ADMM): management interface for IP DECT Wireless Solution, which runs on either one of the IP DECT Base Stations. The picture displayed next page gives a graphical overview of the architecture of the IP DECT Wireless solution. The IP Office, ADMM and the IP Base Stations communicate through the IP infrastructure. The IP Base Stations and the IP DECT phones communicate over air. Graphical overview of the architecture of the IP DECT Wireless solution Task 5 Task (5) This is the detail report for the overall tasks sorting from Task 1 to Task 4.In Task 1, the Townsville Police Department should be used Category 6 UTP by the following reasons:  » Cost and size of media, relative to augmented category 6 and STP  » Installed base currently the dominant UTP cabling standard  » Installation widely accepted And it is suitable for Townsville Police Department. Category 6 supports gigabit Ethernet and is recognized by standards bodies as supporting 10GBASE-T, however there are limitations that must be considered. The IEEE 802.3an standard cites a 55 meter distance limitation for standard category 6, which is not universally agreed upon within the TIA and ISO standards.TIA TSB 155 recently released a Technical Service Bulletin covering additional parameters for running 10GBASE-T on standard category 6. In this document a 37 meter distance limitation is referenced for 10GBASE-T on standards compliant category 6 systems. Between 37 meters and the IEEE referenced 55 meters, standard category 6 may support 10GBASE-T, but it is possible that the installer may have to use alien crosstalk mitigation techniques such as unbundling cables or replacing patch cords to improve the electrical parameters to allow 10GBASE-T to work properly. Above 55 meters, it is unlikely that category 6 UTP would work properly without a large amount of mitigation to reduc e alien crosstalk. A key takeaway is that using category 6 UTP for 10GBASE-T should be focused on existing installations, not new installations. The choice for new installations designed to support 10GBASE-T should be augmented category 6 UTP, STP or optical fiber systems. Townsville Police Department has been restructured within an area of 100 square kilometers. But Townsville PD could not over more than 500 square kilometers because the head departments are divided into four districts (Northern, Eastern, Western and southern). Cat 6 UTP could support that area. For Task 2, the services for internet connections are as follows: Information (browsing, online-shopping, etc.) Communications (mail, chat, Video conferencing, etc.) Files sharing (downloading, uploading, etc.) These services are the most common used for internet. And recommended connection speeds are as follows: For Information service: It can cover only 100 Kbits/s usually prove adequate. For Communication: For video conferencing, bandwidths of no more than 384 Kbits/s usually prove adequate. As for chatting communication, especially for most chatting communications, 28 Kbits/s should be enough. For File Sharing: As for file sharing, bandwidths of more than 1 Mbit/s are most suitable. There is only one Internet Service Provider in our country, Myanmar Ports and Communications. In Task 3, there are too many options for two -way voice communication devices. Two-way voice communications (radios) are essentially available in three types: Hand-held portable, Vehicle-mounted mobile, and Desktop-base station These are most common used for two-way voice communication. And I provided the recommendation the device as follows: Military Specification Standards In an effort to achieve standardization objectives for purchases of products used by the military and other government organizations, the U.S. Department of Defense created standards that these products must meet. We will see these standards called military standard, MIL-STD, or MIL-SPEC. These standards ensure products meet certain requirements, commonality, reliability, compatibility, and similar defense-related objectives. According to Military Specification Standards, Townsville Police Department should be used two way voice communication technology. For Task 4, the main equipments that would be installed are just only the software. There are so many options and vendors that provide telephone known as PBX. Among those vendors, I chose AVAYA IP Office 4.0 Telephone System (IP DECT). As for Townsville Police Department, like military office, it is important to choose the right products. The IP DECT solution delivers all the benefits of IP-based converged communications with the convenience of in-building wireless communications. Designed to support a large number of users, the IP DECT system enables users to carry a wireless phone and get full access to all the features they are accustomed to using at their desk phone. The IP DECT solution, which connects to the IP Office using a variant of the H.323 protocol, can support users in different offices that are connected via a WAN. An IP DECT cordless handset can travel from one office to another, making and taking calls.

Consideration of Using a Linux Operating System

Organization will face an Infrastructure upgrade which will encompass an operating system as well a workstations upgrade. Because this occurrence requires a comprehensive survey of all options of new Operating Systems as well as workstations, it is necessary to consider whether a Linux Based system is appropriate for our organizational needs at this point. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to investigate the pros and cons of using Linux in both a server and workstation environment. During this investigation several Linux distributions will be scrutinized.This examination will disclose what is really accessory to convert to a true Linux environment and will also verify the feasibility of such action. All appropriate subject matter will be enclosed, Inclusive of, product reliability, total cost of ownership, training requirements, available support, as well as existing infrastructure. Each Linux distribution will be weighted based on their pros and cons to come to a final deter mination of which Linux distribution would best fit the needs of our organization. When all criterion have been measured there will be a final recommendation made for the final consideration of management.Table of Contents l. The consideration of using a Linux based system In our business A. The pros and cons to using Linux In the commercial environment B. How does Linux compare to other popular alternatives C. Other issues to consider before switching II. Bunt The pros and cons of using this system A. 1. Subunit 14. 04 LETS 2. Cost 3. Training 4. Ovenware B. Comparison of this distribution with others C. Final assessment for management Ill. Cents A. The pros and cons of using this system . Cents Linux Training ‘V. Use 1. USE Linux Enterprise Server 11 V. Final comprehensive assessment for management based on research

Production and operation management Essay

Part One: Multiple choices: 1. Production and Operations Management concerns itself with the conversion of: a. Outputs in to inputs b. Inputs in to outputs c. Outputs in to outputs d. None of the above 2. Continuous Production is a. The last operation to the finished product b. The first operation to the finished product c. The mid operation to the finished product d. None of the above 3. Independent demand is a. Demand that is controlled by the company b. Demand that is controlled by the customer c. Demand that is not controlled by the company d. All of the above 4. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has been defined as a a. Complete Enterprise wide business solution b. Complete Enterprise narrow business solution c. a & b d. None of the above 5. CAD stands for a. Computer Architecture Design b. Computer Aided Design c. Computer Aided Drafting d. All of the above 6. Delphi method is the most widely used and accurate method of a. Demand forecasts b. Exponential forecasts 1 IIBM Institute of Business Management Examination Paper of Production and Operations Management c. Technological forecasts d. All of the above 7. JIT/Kanban systems help eliminate a. Increase the number of products b. Increase the amount of raw materials c. Increase the amount of energy d. All of the above 8. PPSCS stands for a. Project Planning Scheduling & Control System b. Project Planning Sequencing & Control System c. Production Planning Scheduling & Control System d. None of the above 9. Process layout is also known as. a. Group layout b. Line layout c. Product layout d. Functional layout 10. Time study is a technique for recording the times and rate of  working a. Standard times b. Work measurement c. Allowances d. None of the above Part Two: 1. Define Job Shop Production. 2. What do you understand by „Quality Control‟? 3. What do you mean by materiel handling? 4. Define ABC analysis. END OF SECTION A Section B: Caselets (40 marks) This section consists of Caselets. Answer all the questions. Each Caselet carries 20 marks. Detailed information should form the part of your answer (Word limit 150 to 200 words). 2 IIBM Institute of Business Management Examination Paper of Production and Operations Management Caselet 1 Company Background The Bronson Insurance Group was originally founded in 1900 in Auxvasse, Missouri, by James Bronson. The Bronson Group owns a variety of companies that underwrite personal and commercial insurance policies. Annual sales of the Bronson Group are $100 million. In recent years, the company has  suffered operating losses. In 1990, the company was heavily invested in computer hardware and software. One of the problems the Bronson Group faced (as well as many insurance companies) was a conflict between established manual procedures and the relatively recent (within the past 20 years) introduction of  computer equipment. This conflict was illustrated by the fact that much information was captured on computer but paper files were still kept for practical and legal reasons. File Clerks  The file department employed 20 file clerks who pulled files from stacks, refilled used files, and delivered files to various departments including commercial lines, personal lines, and claims. Once a file clerk received the file. Clerks delivered files to underwriters on an hourly basis throughout the day. The average file clerk was paid $8,300 per year. One special file clerk was used full time to search for requested files that another file clerk had not been able to find in the expected place. It was estimated that 40 percent of the requested files were these â€Å"no hit† files requiring a search. Often these â€Å"no hit† files were eventually found stacked in the requester‟s office. The primary â€Å"customers† of the file clerks were underwriters and claims attorneys. Underwriting Company management and operations analysts were consistently told that the greatest problem in the company was the inability of file clerks to supply files in a speedy fashion. The entire company from top to bottom viewed the productivity and effectiveness of the department as unacceptable. An underwriter used 20-50 files per day. Because of their distrust of the files department, underwriters tended to hoard often used files. A count by operations analysts found that each underwriter kept from 100-200 files in his or her office at any one time. An underwriter would request a file by computer and work on other business until the file was received. Benson employed 25 underwriters. Management Information System Upper management was deeply concerned about this problem. The MIS department  had suggested using video disks as a possible solution. A video disk system was found that would be sufficient for the companies needs at a cost of about $12 million. It was estimated that the system would take two years to install and make compatible with existing information systems. Another, less attractive was using microfilm. A microfilm system would require underwriters to go to a single keyboard to request paper copies of files. The cost of a microfilm system was $5 million. Questions: 1. What do you recommend? Should the company implement one of the new technologies, if yes, why? IIBM Institute of Business Management Examination Paper of Production and Operations Management 2. An operations analyst suggested that company employees shared a â€Å"dump on the clerks† mentality. Explain. Caselet 2 Harrison T. Wenk III is 43, married, and has two children, ages 10 and 14. He has a master‟s degree in education and teachers junior high school music in a small town in Ohio. Harrison‟s father passed away two months ago, leaving his only child an unusual business opportunity. According to his father‟s will, Harrison has 12 months to become active in the family food-catering business, KareFull Katering, Inc., or it will be sold to two key employees for a reasonable and fair price. If Harrison becomes involved, the two employees have the option to purchase a significant, but less than majority, interest in the firm. Harrison‟s only involvement with this business, which his grandfather established, was as an hourly employee during high school and college summers. He is confident that he could learn and perhaps enjoy the marketing side of the business, and that he could retain the longtime head of accounting/finance. But he would never really enjoy day-to-day ope rations. In fact, he doesn‟t understand what operations management really involves. In 1991 Kare-Full Katering, Inc. had $3.75 million in sales in central Ohio. Net profit after taxes was $ 105,000, the eleventh consecutive  year of profitable operations and the seventeenth in the last 20 years. There are 210 employees in this labor-intense business. Institutional contracts account for over 70 percent of sales and include partial food services for three colleges, six commercial establishments) primarily manufacturing plants and banks), two long -term care facilities, and five grade schools. Some customer location employs a permanent operations manager; others are served from the main kitchens of Kare-Full Katering. Harrison believes that if he becomes active in the business, one of the two key employees, the vice president of operations, will leave the firm. Harrison has decided to complete the final two months of this school year and then spend the summer around Kare-Full Katering – as well as institutions with their own food services – to assess whether he wants to become involved in the business. He is particularly interested in finding out as much as possible about operations. Harrison believes he owes it to his wife and children to fairly evaluate this opportunity. Questions: 1. Prepare a worksheet of operations activities that Harrison should inquire about this summer. 2. If you were Harrison, what would you do? Why? END OF SECTION B Section C: Applied Theory (30 marks) This Section Consists of Applied Theory Questions. Answer all the questions. Each question carries 15 marks. Detailed information should form the part of your answer (Word limit 200 to 250 words). IIBM Institute of Business Management Examination Paper of Production and Operations Management 1. What do you mean by Tactical Planning? What are the mathematical approaches to aggregate planning? 2. What is the concept of forecasting in operation? List the different types of forecasting methods.

Prester John - Important Figure for Geography

In the twelfth century, a mysterious letter began to circulate around Europe. It told of a magical kingdom in the East that was in danger of being overrun by infidels and barbarians. This letter was supposedly written by a king known as Prester John. The Legend of Prester John Throughout the Middle Ages, the legend of Prester John sparked geographic exploration across Asia and Africa. The letter first surfaced in Europe as early as the 1160s, claiming to be from Prester (a corrupted form of the word Presbyter or Priest) John. There were over one-hundred different versions of the letter published over the following few centuries. Most often, the letter was addressed to Emanuel I, the Byzantine Emperor of Rome, though other editions were also often addressed to the Pope or the King of France. The letters said that Prester John ruled a huge Christian kingdom in the East, comprising the three Indias. His letters told of his crime-free and vice-free peaceful kingdom, where honey flows in our land and milk everywhere abounds. (Kimble, 130) Prester John also wrote that he was besieged by infidels and barbarians and he needed the help of Christian European armies. In 1177, Pope Alexander III sent his friend Master Philip to find Prester John; he never did. Despite that failed reconnaissance, countless explorations had the goal of reaching and rescuing Prester Johns kingdom that had rivers filled with gold and was the home of the Fountain of Youth (his letters are the first recorded mention of such a fountain). By the fourteenth century, exploration had proved that Prester Johns kingdom did not lie in Asia, so subsequent letters (published as a ten-page manuscript in several languages), wrote that the besieged kingdom was located in Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). When the kingdom moved to Abyssinia after a 1340 edition of the letter, expeditions and voyages began to head to Africa to rescue the kingdom. Portugal sent expeditions to find Prester John throughout the fifteenth century. The legend lived on as cartographers continued to include the kingdom of Prester John on maps through the seventeenth century. Throughout the centuries, the editions of the letter kept getting better and more interesting. They told of strange cultures that surrounded the kingdom and a salamander that lived in fire, which actually turned out to be the mineral substance asbestos. The letter could have been proven a forgery from the first edition of the letter, which copied exactly the description of the palace of Saint Thomas, the Apostle. Though some scholars think that the basis for Prester John came from the great empire of Genghis Khan, others conclude it was merely a fantasy. Either way, Prester John profoundly affected the geographical knowledge of Europe by stimulating interest in foreign lands and sparking expeditions outside of Europe.