Assignment Brief

BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Diploma in

Information and Creative Technology
(NQF) (601/0169/6)

Date

Computing
and
Submitted
Administration
Academy
Referred

Student Name

Assignment Title

Planning

Resubmission

Assessor

Naihla Saleem

Unit Title

15 Installing

Submissio Resubmissio
n
n

Hand out

Hand in

and Maintaining Software

In this assignment, you will establish the requirements for installing and maintaining software in a
technology system, based on a scenario. The scenario should allow you to explore different possibilities
for fulfilling the requirements. The assignment will also allow you to produce a plan of your ideas for
installing and/or upgrading system software and software applications, as well as for customising
software applications for a given purpose.

Authenticity declaration(s)
I confirm that the work submitted for this Assignment is my own
work and has been produced during the time allocated for the
Assignment identified

Student Signature

Student Name

I confirm that the work submitted for this Assignment is the

learners own work and has been produced during the time
allocated for the Assignment identified

Assessor Signature

Date

Date

Rene Tucker

Resubmission authorised by Lead IV.

* All resubmissions must be authorised by the Lead Internal Verifier. Only one resubmission is possible per assignment,
providing:

The learner has met initial deadlines set in the assignment, or has met an agreed deadline extension.

The tutor considers that the learner will be able to provide improved evidence without further guidance.

Evidence submitted for assessment has been authenticated and accompanied by a declaration of authenticity signed and
dated by the learner.
**Any resubmission evidence must be submitted within 10 working days of receipt of results of assessment.

2015 - 2016

UNIT 15 Resubmission date

INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING
SOFTWARE

Signed

Date

STUDENT COMMENTS

PLANNING
PART 2 OF 3

BTEC Level1/Level 2
First Diploma in
Information
STUDENT
SIGNATURE and
Creative Technology
(NQF) (601/0169/6)

Assignment
Result
Date
Signature

Renee Tucker

Page 1 of 16

R/P/M/D

R/P/M/D
DATE

BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Sources of
information

Lesson slides on Moodle

BTEC Course handbook (Unit 15)

Renee Tucker

Page 2 of 16

BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Plan installation and maintenance of software in a technology system

Criteri
a
2B.P2

Task

To achieve the criteria the evidence must

show that the learner is able to:

Possible Evidence

Describe the purpose and client requirements for

installing and maintaining software in a technology
system

Email describing the

purpose of the system
Produce a detailed action
plan:
A list of installation and
maintenance activities

2B.P3

2B.M2

2B.D2

Renee Tucker

Produce a plan for installing and maintaining software

in a technology system

Produce a detailed plan including reasons why

alternative ideas for installing and maintaining
software have been discarded.

Justify final decisions, explaining how the technology

system will fulfil the stated purpose and client
requirements, describing the impact of any constraints
on the plan.

Page 3 of 16

A description of
software required for
an upgrade

A test plan

An email to the manager

explaining alternative
ideas to that of P3.

An email to the manager

justifying the final
decisions.

BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Introduction
This assignment aims to allow learners to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in
planning an installation of computer Software.

Scenario
Techno is a small advertising company; recent expansion due to a new contract has
meant a need for change. The existing software they are still running is Windows 2000
which due to the expansion is no longer sufficient for their needs. The software no
longer supports the work required. They must upgrade.
Requirements:

New installation of Microsoft Windows 7 on machines

Upgrade to the latest version of Apache Open Office 3.2.1

Upgrade to the latest version of Gimp

Ensure backed up any data before installation and reinstalled afterwards

CEO Requires remote desktop, Microsoft Windows 10, Microsoft Office 365
Some of the customisation that the user requires:

Background of each desktop to have their pre made logo displayed

Tools bars to be customised for the client

Keyboard short cut to open their email system and database

Client needs:
Client would like to redefine their customer records. They would like to have a user
friendly form for their customer details to be entered into a database system using
Access.
Timeframe:
To have a minimal time effect on the business and therefore they have only allocated
one day for the installation to take place.
Budget:
As a small company, they do not have a large budget. They have allocated sufficient
money to upgrade their operating system and licences.
Constraints:

Time is a constraint as they cant afford to lose customers

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2
Money the business must keep

operating

Space is limited need to work around the normal business day

Specification of the new equipment limits the software that can be installed

Client Requirements and Purpose

Mr Stevens would like you to install and maintain the software in one technology system.
Your task is to plan the installation and maintenance of software to fulfil Mr Stevenss
requirements.

Task 1 (P2)
Write an e-mail to your manager to summarise the brief and describe the purpose and

client requirements for installing and maintaining software in a technology system.

Task 2 (P3, M2, D2)
You must produce a plan for Mr Stevens
a) Produce an action plan for installation and maintenance of software that you will
undertake on this technology system including:

A list of installation and maintenance activities

A description of hardware components, devices and software resources required for the
upgrades
A description of fault-finding tools and techniques
A test plan (when you have completed the job, how will you check that the work has
been completed satisfactorily and is now working).

You must design a test plan as you will need to test the modified technology system
for functionality and usability and record the results

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

b) Draft another e-mail to the client to explain in detail what work you will undertake and
what possible alternatives there are.
Explain why you are taking the actions you have decided on and why alternative ideas for installing
and maintain software have been discarded.
c) Draft a further e-mail to your manager to justify your final decisions.
Explain how the technology system will fulfil the stated purpose and client requirements; describe
the impacts of any constraints on your plan.

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Task 1- P2

To: Naihla Saleem

From: Rene Tucker
Subject: BRIEF- Planning Techno Software Technology System

Good Day Ms. Naihla Saleem,

After reviewing the brief sent to me by Technos manager, Mr. Stevens,
there are several requirements that he would like met for installing and
maintaining Technos software technology system. Technos current software in
both the General Office as well as the CEO office is outdated or can use an
upgrading in order for the company to run as efficiently as possible. The clients
has recognised that the existing software, Windows 2000, is no longer sufficient
for their needs due to the expansion of the company and the software no
longer supports the work required. Due to the fact that the client is an
advertising company, an updated version of GIMP 2 is required for their
company activities and will provide them with more and better features. Some
customisation is also required. The General Office technology system consist of
10 PCs and the CEOs system consist of one PC. Installing and maintaining
software on all business systems is not only an important economic decision
but also a matter of security, productivity, stability, lower cost and employee
morale.
Below is a list of what is requested to be upgraded and supporting reason to
carry out the upgrading.
CEO's system

Upgrading the Operating System from Windows 2000 to Windows 7

Installing remote desktop Windows 10

Installing Open Office Software

Installing GIMP photo editing software

General Office system

Upgrading the Operating System from Windows 2000 to Windows 7

Installing Open Office Software

Installing GIMP photo editing software

The software that Techno General Office use currently is Windows 2000.
Reasons for upgrading this software are as follows;
Windows 2000 poses a security threat- Windows 2000 has been
targeted many times by low/high profile malware due to its long
services life which creates the possibilities of finding back doors.

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Security flaws- essentially the longer an operating system is around

the more threats to its
security will be created.
Windows 7 will enhance the functionality and the performance of
the computer
Windows 7 will also enhance security. With updated applications,
like Windows Explorer 8, is better-guarded against external threats.

Installation of Open-source software. Reasons for installing open source

software, Apache Open Office, is as follows;
Very cost efficient.
It continuously evolves as developers add to it and modify it. This
can mean it can be better quality, more secure and less prone to
bugs than proprietary systems.Software requirements may need
more space
The company is not locked into Vendor Systems.
Open-source software can modified and adapted for your own
business requirements
Installation of Open-source software. Reasons for installing open-source
software, Gimp photo editor, is as follows;
Gimp is a good cost efficient (free) alternative to Adobe Photoshop
Gimp creates great quality graphic products similar to a proprietary
software.
The CEO has requested to add Remote Desktop Windows 10 as well as
Microsoft Office 365.
Adding Remote desktop to the CEO office will be beneficiate because;
Remote desktop will allow the CEO control any system in the General
Office from his own computer.

Remote desktop will allow the CEO read/write access to the PCs using his
office computer. -This can be beneficial when wanting to upgrade
software on the systems, remotely make changes to the desktop as well
as communicate with the users of the targeted PC.

Adding Microsoft Office 365 will benefit the CEOs Office because;
Office 365 lives in the cloud which means accessibility from anywhere
with an Internet connection.

Office 365 lives in the cloud which means accessibility from anywhere
with an Internet connection.

Patches and maintenance are managed by service providers such as

Google and Microsoft.

Collaborating internally has become a lot easier with Office

applications now in the cloud.

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Efficient internal communication with Lync instant message and video

conferencing.

The list of requested customisation that will need to be carried out on

all systems are as follows;

The pre made company logo on the background of each computer

Tools bars to be customised for the client

Keyboard short cut to open their email system and database

Create a customised database that is more user friendly to store

customer information for Techno.

A highly recommended upgrade that I plan to propose to Technos manager

is to safeguard that their systems has great Anti-virus software installed on
their systems. Although they will be upgrading to a more secure O.S system it
is very beneficial for any company that stores client information to have good
security software that will prevent or tackle any potential threats.
These upgrades requested and suggested will provide an effective working
technology system within Techno by improving performance, speed, stability,
security and productivity. With these changes and installations Techno will have
a more improved efficient software system that will allow employees to get the
most out of the software.
Yours Sincerely,
Rene Tucker
HLC Consultant
Tel- 0115 555 5555
Fax- 0115 565 6565

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Task 2- P3, M2, D2

Action Plan for installation and maintenance activities
The installation and maintenance that will be carried out in the General Office
will consist of installing and upgrading the operating system from Windows
2000 to Windows 7, installing the latest version of the open-source photo
editing software GIMP, as well as installing an updated version of the opensource productivity suite Apache Open Office. As requested these operations
will be carried out on over within one working day. We will also carry out the
customization requirements in this time frame which include;

The pre made company logo on the background of each computer

Tools bars to be customised for the client

Keyboard short cut to open their email system and database

Create a customised user friendly database to store customer

information for Techno using Access.

Installation and maintenance activities that will need to be conducted

are;

Ensuring that all hardware components like the OS installation disc,

anti-virus disc, hard drives (specifically to hold the backup and
image with software that is required) and drivers and the product
key for any relevant software are at hand.

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

The technicians will carry out the downloading and installation of

software (OS, GIMP, Apache and the anti-virus) to the external hard
drives that will be used to carry out the reimaging and back up on
the systems of Technos General office on the external hard drives
prior to the set execution date.
-Reimaging the computers is an efficient way of carrying out
multiple system upgrades. Due to the time constraint,
reimaging will limit the time spent doing the actually
installation on Technos General Office PCs.
Create a user friendly form for Technos customer details to be
entered into a database system using Access prior to the
installation. This form will also be a part of the image CD.
Ensure that the technicians have access to the pre-loaded company
logo for Techno which will also be saved with the image CD.
Verify that all the systems hardware components within Techno are
compatible with the new software.
The applications that will be installed will correspond with the
upgrade to Windows 7.
It is also vital to properly back up all data and drivers (using several
external hard drives to save time) on each system so that it can be
restored onto the new system. When backing up the data the
technician will mark which computers data is on which hard drive
to avoid confusion.
On the scheduled installation date, we will arrange the work in two
groups of five PCs that will be worked on at a time. This will ensure
that business does not come to a complete halt while the
technicians are carrying out the work.
Once all the initial installation and maintenance requirements have
been met, we will make sure that there are no unnecessary
programs running before beginning the installation procedure.
-For example, in some instances applications may require
that the antivirus programs be disabled.
Using the same external hard drives with the image CD that was
created as well as the backup data, then proceed to carry out the
installation of software.
-Ensure that the correct external hard drive is used restore
data to the correct PC and user.
Install fire wire
After the installation and restoring of the data on the first five PCs,
proceed to open test the new software.

The last step in the installation process is to check that the programs
open and are working correctly. An estimated time for carrying out
testing is around an hour. These will include;
Checking if the Operating system has been installed correctly. This will
require the systems to be restarted to check for any loading issues.
Further testing will involve checking to see if the correct OS was installed
by opening Control Panel and testing Windows like changing the time
and date then checking that it was saved and displayed correctly.

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Verifying that the application Gimp is working correctly by opening and

loading the software and testing that the software is performing and
saving task correctly.
Verify that Apache Open Office is working correctly by opening all the
applications in Open Office and checking that they load correctly and can
save to appropriate location.
Check that the drivers were installed correctly when the data was
restored
Note and correct any error messages.

Start the customization process for each PC which is;

Create shortcut to open customer database and email applicationAfter locating the database application, right click on it and in the
menu scroll to Properties. Click in the Shortcut key box, press the
key on your keyboard that you want to use in combination with
Ctrl+Alt. By using the keyboard combination it will open and load
the assigned program. (Repeat steps for the email application)
Change PC screen saver to Techno pre-made logo- In the Control
Panel locate Appearance and Personalisation, then click
Personalisation followed by Change Background. Upload Technos
pre made company logo.
Programming maintenance procedures on all PCs
The technician will also create a scheduled back up that will automatically back
up all 10 PCs data weekly as well as create a restore point and automatic
system and program updates.
Arrange for the next five PCs to undergo the backup, installation, and
restoration and customization procedure.
Hardware components, devices and software resources that maybe
required for the upgrades are;
DVD/CD Drive- If installing software from a disc the PCs will need to have
some sort of optical drive to accept the softwares installations disc.
Hard drive- It is important to ensure that the software requirements
(totalled) are compatible with the hard drive and there is enough
storage to hold and maintain the software. For example, if there is limited
space on the hdd the OS can be compressed before added to the image
CD.
Random Access Memory (RAM) - It is also important that there is enough
space on RAM for the software needs.
Installation Disc- Any software that will be installed via disc needs be on
hand.
External hard drives- This storage form can be used to perform the
necessary backups and reimaging on the systems.
To: Mr. Stevens
From: Rene Tucker, HLC Consultants
Subject: BRIEF- Planning Technos General Office Software Upgrades

Good Day Mr. Stevens,

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

After reviewing the brief that was sent to our technician team at HLC
Consultants we have proceeded to develop a plan to carry out installing and
maintaining the software system within Techno. We recognise that Techno has
certain requirements due to a new contract and recent expansion. There is a
description below of the planning details, why these procedures are needed
and why other procedures were dismissed under due to the project constraints.
HLC Consultants technicians will prepare all necessary software prior to
the actual installation process that will be carried out on the scheduled date.
Ensuring that all hardware components like the OS installation disc, anti-virus
disc, hard drives (specifically to hold the backup and image with software that
is required) and drivers and the product key for any relevant software are at
hand. The technicians will carry out the downloading and installation of
software (OS-Windows 7, GIMP 2.8, Apache Open Office. 3.2.1 and the antivirus-to be discussed) to the external hard drives that will be used to carry out
the reimaging and backup of software and data within Technos General office
on the external hard drives prior to the set execution date. The technicians
working on this project will also create a user friendly form for Technos
customer details to be entered into a database system using Access prior to
the installation. This form will also be a part of the image CD and well as
Technos pre-made company logo which will be installed on the PCs during the
installation process. Three, one terabyte, hard drives will be sufficient for
getting the job done in the time frame that we are working in.
Due to the timing constraint our technicians will carry out the complete
installation of software, maintenance and customization on the General Office
in one working day, on a date that can be negotiated. In order to stay within
our dead line we will need to begin when Techno opens its doors to allow for
any error checking. Also, on the day of the installations we would like to
arrange the process to be carried out in two groups of 5 PCs each. Considering
that the business cannot come to a complete halt during the installation and
upgrading process the technicians will conduct the process on 5 PCs at a time
which will allow the other 5 PCs to be fully functional. After the first set has
finished the installation process and has been fully tested with positive results
we will alternate and begin the installations on the last set of PCs.
A highly recommended upgrade to safeguard Technos customer and
business data is to install an up-to-date anti-virus software. Although Techno
will be upgrading to a more secure operating system which will offer better bug
fixes and security features it is always very beneficial for any company that
stores client information to have good security software that will prevent or
tackle any potential threats. This can be discussed further if interested.
We will conduct the installation by reimaging all the computers.
This will prove to be a more efficient way of carrying out multiple system
installations and upgrades instead of doing one software at a time locally. Due
to the time constraint, reimaging using several external hard drives will limit
the time spent doing the actually installation of the software on Technos
General Office PCs.
Our initial plan was to conduct the installation of the GIMP and Apache
software as well as carry out the customisation request via remote desktop.
However, we agreed that this method would be less effective because it will
slow down productivity in the two offices (the CEOs and the General office)
because the technician will need access to both computers to carry out the
Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

procedures. Also, this method would still call for the Operating System,
Windows 7, to be installed locally meaning that the technician will need to
physically be at the computer to carry out the process. We also considered the
time constraint as this process may take longer doing one PC at a time.
Working on one PC at a time will cause more disruption to the workers and can
possibly take more than one day to complete when factoring in testing and
possible errors. It will also negatively impact the business financially because
the longer that the process may take the business will be losing money.
Overall we are satisfied with the planning method thus far and believe
that it will be the most effective solution to carryout upgrading Technos
General office software in their technology system.We will be looking forward to
hearing from you shortly on whether you are satisfied with this solution and to
discuss a date and time that you would like to have these upgrades carried out.
Best Regards,
Rene Tucker
HLC Consultant
Tel- 0115 555 5555
Fax- 0115 565 6565

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

To: Naihla Saleem

From: Rene Tucker
Subject: Follow Up- Planning Techno Software Systems Response
Dear Ms. Saleem,
This is a follow up regarding the planning work for the maintenance and
installation of the software in Technos general office technology system. After
contacting Techno regarding the final decision to carry out the installing and
maintaining the new software in their technology system in the General office,
we agreed that it will be in the best interest of the client to install and updated
OS along with a recommendation to install a corresponding anti-virus
Bitdefender Antivirus plus (priced around $35 or on special even less) software
to ensure their system and data are protected.
As the client has requested due to limited budget we will carry out installations
of open source software such as;
GIMP 2 for their graphic design needs. Being an advertising agency they
will be heavily using photo editing software. Gimp is a cost effective
solution compared to Adobes version, Photoshop.
Apache Open Office- Again Open office will provide the client with all the
basic essentials of an office suite for free.
Windows 7- Their current OS system is no longer useful due to the
companys expansions. An updated OS will benefit all employees because
it will improve accessibility, stability and security.
After the installation of the new software is complete, we will then proceed to
complete the customization on each system as the client has requested which
is as follows;

The pre made company logo on the background of each computer

Tools bars to be customised for the client

Keyboard short cut to open their email system and database

The constraints for carrying out this project are; the client has a limited
budget and time. The clients has stated that they do not have a large budget
for upgrading, however, the installation of open software will satisfy their
budget. This may impact their decision of installing the anti-virus software that
has been suggested. Also, there is a timing constraint that we will need to work
with. The client has requested that the installation and customisation be during
working hours over a two day period with little interference to the workers and
business. This means that the technician/s will need to conduct the installations
around the workers schedules, i.e. lunch breaks, or via remote desktop.
Techno is satisfied with the plans and have given the Ok to for the
requirements listed above to be carried out. Techno will be in contact within the
next week to discuss an appropriate date and time that we can carry out the
operations and give an answer on whether they will agree to uploading antivirus software at their expense.

Renee Tucker

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BTEC- Level 2- ICT Group B

Unit 15 Installing and Maintaining Software
Assignment 2

Yours Sincerely,
Rene Tucker
HLC Consultant
Tel- 0115 555 5555
Fax- 0115 565 6565

Apache 4.1.2
127 Mbyte
GimpGIMP

is 2.8.16

100MB

Renee Tucker

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