Bead Bar Network Paper
The Bead Bar is in need of a network topology to efficiently connect its studios in New York City, Long Island, Washington, D.C., and in Boston, Massachusetts. It is important to choose a topology that is efficient and also low cost, if possible. The Bead Bar requires a network that will handle its needs to possibly expand in the future.
Focus will be put on the background of the Bead Bar as well as recommendations for the correct network topology.
The Bead Bar is a company that specializes in allowing customers to create their own bead jewelry. Meredith S. founded the company in 1998 by opening a bead bar studio in New Canaan, Connecticut.
In the studio, customers sit at a bar and—using materials provided (beads, wire, and string)—create necklaces, bracelets, and other jewelry.
Today the company has three divisions: (1) studios, (2) franchises, and (3) Bead Bar on Board. The studio division oversees the company’s six bead bar studios. Along with the original, there are now two studios in New York City, one on Long Island, one in Washington, D.C., and one in Boston, Massachusetts. The franchise division sells a complete beading supply package to businesses that
want to open their own bead studio. The division is responsible for fulfilling franchisees’ supply requirements. There are currently five franchises (Kansas City, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; and Miami, Florida). Bead Bar on Board is a special bead bar designed for cruise ships. The bar is portable and can be placed on deck or in a lounge. The cruise ships’ employees also purchase their supplies through the Bead Bar. The company has 15 full-time employees and about 20 part-time employees who work in the studios helping customers and working the cash register. Annual revenues for the past three years have averaged $1.5 million (Malaga, 2005).
The company still uses paper-based forms. The Bead Bar has enough...
Please login to view the full essay...