BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Module Code : BM006-3-2CRI-T

Intake Code :

Lecturer Name :

Student Name :

TP :

Hand in Date :

Word count

Details:

1
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Executive Summary:
The APU High-Speed Internet Access Service is a subscription service that gives APcard
customers the ability to connect to the internet at very fast rates in exchange for a recurring
monthly payment. Due to the substantial growth in the university's popularity and enrolment,
there has been a noticeable deceleration in typical internet speeds. In order to enhance the
institution's network infrastructure and provide its students and teachers enhanced internet
connectivity at an affordable cost, it will be imperative to introduce a service that incorporates
flexible access fees. The provision of this service involves the use of several technologies,
including load balancing, bandwidth allocation, the APcard system, and the Python programming
language. Antamedia and Blesk are among a number of firms that provide comparable services.
The functions of the two structures have been further upon below. The generation of ideas is
facilitated by the use of mind mapping and the Scamper technique. A SWOT analysis and an
assessment matrix are used to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
associated with the plan, as well as to evaluate its effectiveness. The determined cost of the
service is determined based on the subscription plan chosen by the customer. The introductory
plan is priced at a nominal rate of RM 2 per diem, whilst the premium plan is valued at RM 5.

Contents
Executive Summary:....................................................................................................................................2
Part 1:..........................................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Introduction:.....................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Problem Statement:..........................................................................................................................4
1.3 Competitor Analysis:.........................................................................................................................6
1.4 Objective Statement:......................................................................................................................10
Part 2.........................................................................................................................................................11
2. Idea Generation:...............................................................................................................................11
2.1 Mind Mapping:............................................................................................................................11
2.2 SCAMPER:....................................................................................................................................13

2
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Part 3:........................................................................................................................................................15
3.1 Visuals of the product concept:......................................................................................................15
3.2 Opening:..........................................................................................................................................18
3.3 Features:.........................................................................................................................................18
3.4Function:..........................................................................................................................................18
3.5 Technologies:..................................................................................................................................18
Part 4.........................................................................................................................................................20
4. Market Identification........................................................................................................................20
4.1 Price:............................................................................................................................................20
4.2 Product/Package:........................................................................................................................20
4.3 Place:...........................................................................................................................................20
4.4 Promotion:..................................................................................................................................20
Part 5:........................................................................................................................................................21
5.Idea Evaluation:.................................................................................................................................21
5.1 SWOT analysis:............................................................................................................................21
5.2 Evaluation matrix:.......................................................................................................................22
References.................................................................................................................................................23

Part 1:
1.1 Introduction:

As the software development manager for an IT consulting business, I have been tasked with
developing a strategy for consumer goods that would allow them to maintain their market share.
The suggested solution has to have marketability and be feasible within five years. The proposed
solution must also build a link between consumers' daily spending and the solution of social
issues, in addition to meeting the users' basic needs, tasks, and routines. Asia Pacific University
will perform an in-depth analysis to identify the root causes of its problems and develop the most
effective strategies for resolving them. The university will be given these suggestions on how to

3
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

proceed.
There is a wide variety of courses available at Asia Pacific University (APU), a prestigious
university in Malaysia. These courses vary from diploma studies to PhD research. Students at
APU come from over 110 different countries, demonstrating the school's diversified and sizable
student body. To produce graduates who are ready to take on leadership roles in their chosen
fields, APU places a premium on technological sophistication, originality, and proficiency (Apu,
2018). In order to stay ahead of the competition, APU has shown a firm dedication to adopting
innovative technology and introducing useful goods and services. Their recent move to a bigger
campus, where the vast bulk of their classes are held, is indicative of their commitment. In
addition, APU's continuous expansion initiatives guarantee that all group amenities will be
conveniently located in one, unified structure.

1.2 Problem Statement:

Given the considerable expansion of APU and the corresponding rise in student enrollment, it is
imperative to enhance the building's network infrastructure to accommodate these developments.
The provision of high-speed internet access has emerged as a crucial service for students and
employees, aiming to enhance the efficiency of the university network infrastructure and
improve users' online experience. The need for bandwidth inside a university, such as APU,
where technology plays a prominent role, is now at an unprecedented level, both in the present
circumstances and in the foreseeable future. The problem of internet connection speed at peak
periods may occasionally result in limitations on ping numbers, as well as download and upload
speeds. This gives rise to certain challenges in scenarios where the ability to access network
resources is crucial for both faculty and students. Furthermore, the institution is experiencing
significant growth, with an increasing number of students. Consequently, the current internet
connection infrastructure is inadequate, leading to frustrating and unreliable connectivity. In
addition, APU has implemented a novel technology known as the APcard, which enables
students to conduct various on-campus financial transactions in a cashless manner. This includes

4
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

activities such as printing and payment of parking fees. However, the current university system
lacks a mechanism for facilitating payment for additional services, such as high-speed internet
access. Hence, there is a need for an enhancement or implementation of a pragmatic resolution
that can provide the desired service and effectively distribute varying bandwidth levels in a
dynamic manner, taking into account the user's classification, using the APcard. As a Software
Development Manager at an IT consulting business, I have been tasked with the implementation
of a solution for consumer products in order to maintain their competitive position in the market.
The suggested solution should exhibit commercial viability and show its practicality within a
period of five years. Moreover, it is essential that the proposed solution not only addresses the
users' routine needs, tasks, and responsibilities, but also establishes a correlation between
purchasing behaviours and the alleviation of social issues. A thorough investigation will be
undertaken to provide the most effective resolutions targeted at mitigating the difficulties
encountered by Asia Pacific University. The aforementioned proposed solutions will be formally
offered to the university administration for careful evaluation and subsequent adoption.

Asia Pacific University (APU) is a renowned educational institution situated in Malaysia, known
for its comprehensive selection of courses including many educational levels, ranging from
diploma programmes to PhD research prospects. Azusa Pacific University (APU) has a
heterogeneous international student body originating from more than 110 nations, which serves
as a testament to the university's considerable enrollment figures. APU places a strong emphasis
on the development of technology, innovation, and creativity in order to foster the growth of
highly competent and capable graduates who possess the necessary skills and knowledge to excel
in their respective professional fields (Apu, 2018). APU has a robust dedication to adopting
nascent technology and deploying efficacious goods and services to maintain their competitive
position in the industry. The institution's commitment to its mission is shown via its recent
decision to relocate to a more spacious campus, which currently functions as the main site for the
bulk of its academic offerings. In addition, the continuous growth endeavours of APU aim to
concentrate all group amenities in a single location for enhanced convenience.

5
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

1.3 Competitor Analysis:

The competition study includes a comparison between Antamedia and Blesk as outlined in the
solution provided below.

Antamedia:

Antamedia has grown into a successful business since it was founded in 2001. It opens out the
advantages of professional software to businesses of all sizes, from sole proprietorships to
multinational conglomerates. The company's software solutions may be found in a wide variety
of establishments, from 5-star hotels and hospitals to mom-and-pop cafes. All of the company's
solutions run independently and can be scaled to support international branches with the click of
a button, all while maintaining an intuitive user interface and requiring nothing in the way of
maintenance or support from end users. The company invests much in R&D in order to stay
abreast of the newest developments and keep its customers satisfied. (Antamedia, 2018).

BLËSK:

In order to aid its clientele in navigating the challenges associated with intricate networks, BLSK
provides a state-of-the-art, professionally administered solution that is characterised by its
resilience, adaptability, and user-friendly interface. In order to increase productivity within a
limited timeframe, individuals are embracing state-of-the-art technologies. The monitoring
solution provided by the company consists of a comprehensive set of network monitoring
management tools. These tools assist customers in gaining insights into the current condition of
their networks and proactively identifying, investigating, and resolving problems as they occur.
(BLËSK, 2018).

6
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

1.3.1 Common attributes:

The Antamedia Bandwidth Manager has a user-friendly interface and can be easily
configured, rendering it appropriate for implementation in networks of varying sizes, ranging
from small-scale establishments like single-computer cafés to large multinational corporations.
The major purpose of this system is to restrict users from accessing harmful websites, while also
regulating the quantity of data they may download and upload. This approach enables
administrators to exercise control and impose restrictions on hosts' internet access, as well as
their capacity to transfer and receive data inside the network. The implementation and use of this
system is straightforward, and it is compatible with all iterations of Windows and Server
operating systems. This system enables the use of several functionalities such as statistics,
reporting, and other related tasks. Additionally, the device is equipped with a DNS web filter that
may be used to restrict access to undesired websites. The Antamedia Bandwidth Manager's
effective speed setting and user account creation functions allow for the allocation of different
bandwidth speeds to students and professors. Specifically, students may be allocated a bandwidth
speed of 100 Kb/s, while professors may be granted a higher speed of 1 Mbit/s. The system alone
imposes restrictions on a monthly or daily scale. Customers have the opportunity to get a
maximum of 4 gigabytes per month, which is divided into daily increments of 200 megabytes.
The system has the capability to create vouchers that may be exchanged for cash, and consumers
are responsible for covering the cost of these vouchers.

Blesk is a software application designed for the purpose of monitoring and managing
network activities. The basis for a suite of open source and proprietary applications is provided
by an optimised 64-bit version of CentOS Linux. BLSK is a comprehensive platform designed
for network administration, including many functionalities such as centralised event recording,
asset management, and performance monitoring alerts. The disparities between the two
methodologies are succinctly illustrated in the following table.

7
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Company IT Consultant company Antamedia (Antamedia, BLËSK

2018). (BLËSK, 2018).
Product Name APU High-Speed Antamedia Bandwidth Blesk System
Internet System Manager
Uniqueness The APcard system may Simple to set up. Use of Available
be integrated. In use from the smallest Bandwidth.
Dynamic bandwidth coffee shop to the largest Instruments for
allotment to users is corporation. Diagnosis.
suggested. Quick and easy to use. Tracking Your Online
No client installation Internet content blocking Habits.
required. Reduce the amount of Utilisation Analysis.
The service is limited in data transfer allowed. Statistics on Internet
duration. Conduct research and Use.
Autologin sessions write reports. Permanent upkeep and
enable users to log into a Extremely tight security. assistance is provided.
system or application
without entering their
credentials each time.
User-friendly
Discussion is on IP and
port filtering.
The focus is on resource
management.
Limitation There is no cost Service for a fee -Tuition required.
associated with the Disabled on account of Management of
installation process since incompatibility with the Resources.
it is provided free of APcard database. Disabled on account of
charge without any Instruments for incompatibility with the
accompanying expenses. Diagnosis.

8
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

The topic of interest is SLA Monitoring APcard database.

network traffic analysis. Low safety standards.
The provision of Only compatible with
maintenance and CentOS Linux
assistance has been
lacking for an extended
duration.

Technology Optimizing network SNMP, Firewall, and User-centric bandwidth

traffic and capacity is Service-Based control.
traffic shaping. Bandwidth Management. SNMP (Simple Network
The scheduling algorithm Management Protocol)
is described.
This is about avoiding
congestion.
To improve speed and
efficiency, load
balancing spreads duty
across numerous
computer resources.
Python is used in many
applications.
Programmers like its
readability and
simplicity. In contrast,
SNMP3

9
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

1.4 Objective Statement:

The proposed solution's goals are to create a system where users can access the service with
their APcards and to provide a fast and reliable internet connection that extends the capabilities
of the current network infrastructure.

10
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Part 2
2. Idea Generation:
2.1 Mind Mapping:

As a visual method of organising and communicating thoughts, "mind mapping" makes it simple
to present and defend original concepts and methods. It's a great technique for generating ideas
and thinking beyond the box. The technique uses a visual procedure to externally replicate the
brain's inherent ability to think creatively, mapping out the keywords that produce linkages to the
novel idea.

Figure: mind mapping of the proposed solution.

11
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

2.1.1 Outcomes:

Several results may be gleaned from this method, including:

 All endpoints are subject to the same average cost and the university community has
access to a limited quota for bandwidth allocation, network monitoring, and load
balancing.
 Second, a high price tag for features like unlimited quota, network monitoring, load
balancing, receiving payment in cash, internal and external usage, and support for all end
devices.
 Third, all lab PCs may take use of the unlimited quota for bandwidth allocation, network
monitoring, load balancing, and APcard payment processing at a low price.
 High-priced services utilised by the university community and installed on all lab PCs,
including unlimited quotas for bandwidth allotment, network monitoring, and load
balancing.

2.1.2 Evaluation:

The Best POSSIBLE Outcome of the Proposed Solution is the First Outcome. In order to ensure
that only the university community (students, lecturers, etc.) may profit from the solution,
limited bandwidth is provided for the users at an acceptable and typical cost. In addition, desktop
computers, laptops in the lab, and mobile phones all have access to the system.

12
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

2.2 SCAMPER:
The SCAMPER technique is a kind of creative brainstorming that may help you come up with
novel solutions to existing problems. The existing service has to be scrutinized from several
angles. SCAMPER is useful because it reduces wasted time and is simple to integrate into
existing workflows.

Substitute Instead of paying for vouchers with hard currency as is customary,

the APcard system is used to make a cashless transaction. Different
services are suggested with varying speeds and allowances rather
than providing the same bandwidth to all consumers.
Combine Incorporate the new solution into the university's current bandwidth
scheme, in which certain users are given a higher rate allotment than
others.
Adapt You can attract more customers and lower your costs by making the
service simple and inexpensive to use.
Modify The current university portal system should be updated with the
suggested solution so that users may choose the service directly
from the portal's home page whenever they log in from any location
on campus or off, including APIIT.
Put to Another Use The suggested approach may also be used to track users' sessions
and analyse traffic.
Eliminate Service fees paid using an APcard, as opposed to cash for vouchers,
allow for variable prices and quotes to be sent to individual users.
Reverse Invest in extra bandwidth to meet customer demand, and sell
coupons to consumers at retail outlets.

13
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

2.2.1 Evaluation:

SCAMPER's streamlined approach of combining all results by asking pre-defined questions for
each word gives it a number of benefits over competing methods. This aids in producing a
fantastic result that contains all the solution aspects in detail. Using the APcard as an alternative
to the standard means of payment is an example of a substitution. High-speed connectivity is a
top concern, thus it's important to integrate the university's current network infrastructure system
into the suggested solution. To further facilitate user agency, we recommend integrating the
proposed solution within the university's existing portal system. In addition, switch to a cash-
only payment system and do rid of the feature that gives each user the same amount of
bandwidth.

14
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Part 3:
3.1 Visuals of the product concept:

- Login Page:

Step one of the recommended approach is to use the student's TP number to access the network.
The login page will load immediately when they connect to the network.

Figure: login page of the system

15
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

-The portal page:

After a successful login, the user is sent to a portal page where they are presented with a list of
available plans and services. There are three distinct packages available, and they are as follows:

First, there's the bare-bones option, which is identical to what the school now offers. The second
plan is the more reasonable option since it still provides high speed internet connection with
unlimited bandwidth but does so within the constraints of a time cap. The third and last option is
the pro plan, which includes all the benefits of the cheap plan but has no limits on use or
duration.

Figure: Service page

16
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

In-service:

Users will be granted access and get the benefit of the service if there is enough money on the
APcard to do so. The seasion page also displays information on the subscriber's IP address,
bandwidth use, subscription length, subscription type, amount paid, and remaining balance on
the APcard.

Figure: details page

17
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

3.2Opening:

In order to improve the university's network infrastructure and supply high-level facilities that
will surely enhance the user experience in various aspects, including relying on a reliable
connection for accessing the vast information on the internet, APU high speed Internet access is
proposed as a solution. Since there has been a significant growth in the number of students and
the need for higher bandwidth, the service is necessary, as stated in the issue statement. In
addition, these issues might cause your internet connection speed to be very low, which will
result in a terrible user experience. The university's current system lacks the capability of
collecting money in advance from users for premium internet access. To do this, a system is
required that controls bandwidth, limits user sessions, and provides high-speed internet access
for low, APcard-accepting costs. However, systems from competing vendors lack the capability
to communicate with third-party services like APcard.

3.3 Features:

While existing systems can merely split the bandwidth for various users, the suggested method
may distribute high-speed internet access "Bandwidth" to users depending on the plan they pick.
A variety of plans are available, each with its own set of benefits. The standard plan offers the
same benefits as the current setup, including a static rate with no load balancing and no
additional costs. The second option is the more cost-effective premium cabin, which includes a
generous data cap and APcard payment processing. The last option is the pro plan, which
provides unlimited high-speed data transfer for a slightly higher monthly cost. In addition, the
APcard is the exclusive reliance of the payment system. Another function is session analysis and
load balancing among users.

18
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

3.4Function:

The primary objective of the service is to facilitate the acquisition of high-speed internet
connection and the integration of a new payment mechanism onto the existing system, namely
the APcard system.
payment. Additionally, analyse the traffic and keep track of user session information to keep an
eye on the network's performance.
3.5 Technologies:

Multiple technologies are included into the service to ensure its functionality. In order to provide
high-speed internet access, additional bandwidth is given priority, and traffic shaping is
employed to shape the traffic for individual users. Congestion avoidance is used in conjunction
with a Scheduling Algorithm to queue traffic in a way that prevents congestion from occurring.
Python is employed because of its popularity, ease of use, and impressive skills in the
networking industry (Pynettwb-tech, 2018). And the load balancing technique where the load is
distributed throughout the network infrastructure is monitored and analysed using SNMP3.

19
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Part 4
4. Market Identification

4.1 Price:

The pricing was calculated with great care in light of the many rivals on the market. Access at
the current, slower speed would continue to be free, while the faster service would cost a
reasonable premium. There are two pricing tiers for the services: the basic plan costs RM 2 per
day, while the premium tier costs RM 5.

4.2 Product/Package:

The package includes high-speed internet access, unlimited bandwidth, and either a set number
of days or an unlimited number of days for use. Users enter their TP numbers to get entry, and
they may pay using AP cards.

4.3 Place:

All of Asia Pacific University's Malaysian campuses, including APIIT and APLC, are major
users of the software. Although the company's central office is in Kuala Lumpur, the product
may be put to use by its international outposts thanks to the fact that it is only an implanted
virtual notion.
4.4 Promotion:

Since the prices are already lower than the market average, no discount is being offered at this
time. Even so, this may be a possibility in the not-too-distant future.

20
 BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

Part 5:
5.Idea Evaluation:
5.1 SWOT analysis:
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats may all be assessed through a SWOT analysis.
It is a methodological framework for assessing the state of a company that does not rely on
predetermined assumptions about its capabilities.

Strengths: Weakness:

The APcard system may be included into the While regular access is free of charge, this
system. premium service incurs a price each transaction.
Easy to navigate and understand. Go head-to-head with rival businesses like "Cell
There are currently no available amenities there. Phone Planes."
Offer a unified platform for scheduling tasks, The only available interface is the language one.
allocating resources, monitoring the network, and
processing payments.

Opportunities: Threats:

-Provide more planes. The suggested approach is not supported by the

-Use the proposed system in other places and institution.
enterprises. Downtimes and system crashes.
People don't understand the point of the system.

21
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

5.2 Evaluation matrix:

Scope - Students Lecturers Staff (Admin other CTI Total

Element departments) out
of
100
Bandwidth 20 20 20 10 70
allocation
Time allocation 10 10 10 5 35
Payment through 25 25 25 5 80
APcard
Network monitoring 5 5 5 25 45
details
Total out of 100 60 60 60 45

The results of the poll suggest that the suggested solution may be of help to both students and
faculty. But the university's CTI won't benefit from the system's strongest aspects. High
percentages also indicate the importance of high bandwidth allotment and payment through
APcard. However, only a minority of customers really paid attention to the time allotment and
network monitoring statistics.

22
BM006-3-2CRI Individual Assignment

References
Apu.edu.my. (2018). (APU). [online] Available at: http://www.apu.edu.my/ [Accessed 23
Apr. 2018].

Antamedia. (2018). Bandwidth Manager | Network Bandwidth Control. [online]

Available at: https://www.antamedia.com/bandwidth-manager/ [Accessed 7 May 2018].

BLËSK network monitoring. (2018). About BLËSK - BLËSK network monitoring.

[online] Available at: http://www.blesk.ca/propos-de-blesk/ [Accessed 9 May 2018].

iMindMap, 2017. How to Mind Map. [Online]

Available at: https://imindmap.com/how-to-mind-map/
[Accessed 25 August 2017].

Mindtools.com. (2016). SCAMPER: Improving Products and Services. [online]

Available at: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCT_02.htm [Accessed 9 May 2018].

Pynet.twb-tech.com. (2018). Python for Network Engineers. [online] Available at:

https://pynet.twb-tech.com/ [Accessed 10 May 2018].

23