Question

Eureka! Is a telephone and Internet-based concierge service that specializes in obtaining things that are hard to find (e.g., Super Bowl tickets, first-edition books from the 1500s, Faberge eggs). It currently employs 60 staff members who work 24 hours per day (over three shifts). Staff answer the phone and respond to requests entered on the Eureka! Web Site. Much of their work is spent on the phone and on computers searching on the Internet. What type of connections should Eureka! consider from it’s offices to the outside world, in terms of phone and Internet? Outline the pros and cons of each alternative below and make a recommendation. The company has four alternatives:

1. Should it use traditional analog services, with standard voice lines, and use modems to dial into its ISP ($40 per month for each voice line plus $20 per month for each Internet access line)?
2. Should the company use standard voice lines but use DSL for its data ($40 per month per line for both services)?
3. Should the company separate its voice and data needs, using standard analog services for voice but finding some advanced digital transmission services for data ($40 per month for each voice line and $300 per month for a circuit with 1.5 Mbps for data)?
4. Should the company search for all digital services for both voice and data ($60 per month for an all-digital circuit that provides two PCM phone lines that can be used for two voice calls, one voice call and one data call at 64 Kbps, or one data call at 128 Kbps)?
5. Should the company invest in a modern-day fiber optic 10Mb/s flex? Research price.
NOTE: PLEASE PROVIDE DETAIL ANSWER OF THIS QUESTION.

Answer 1

Considering Eureka!'s need for reliable and fast internet and phone service, the best recommendation is to invest in fiber optic 10Mb/s flex connection, despite higher costs, to fulfill their extensive data and voice requirements effectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

Eureka!, a concierge service with extensive phone and Internet requirements, is considering different options for its connections to the outside world. The alternatives range from traditional analog services to modern digital and fiber optic solutions, each with its own set of advantages and potential drawbacks.

• Traditional Analog Services: This is cost-effective but may not support the bandwidth needs for intensive internet searches and connection stability that Eureka! requires. The speed limitations and potential for busy signals are significant cons.
• DSL and Standard Voice Lines: This offers better data transmission rates than analog modems but still uses the existing phone lines. The speed is moderate, and it can potentially handle Eureka!’s requirements if the data needs are not excessive.
• Separate Voice and Advanced Digital Transmission Services: This option provides a dedicated digital circuit for data which can offer the necessary bandwidth for extensive internet use, but it is more costly, and the voice services remain analog.
• All Digital Services: This solution streamlines voice and data into a single digital circuit. Although it may offer better quality and integration, the cost and limited data speed of 128 Kbps for simultaneous calls can be a disadvantage.
• Fiber Optic 10Mb/s Flex: This would provide the fastest and most reliable option for data transmission. The exact cost would need to be researched, but it is typically higher than the other options. However, the superior speed and reliability may justify the investment for a service like Eureka!.

Given the intensive data and voice requirements of Eureka!, I recommend exploring the fiber optic 10Mb/s flex option, despite its potentially higher costs. The substantial advantages in speed, reliability, and capacity for scaling up in the future outweigh the initial investments and recurring costs. This modern technology aligns with Eureka!'s need for quick, reliable access to rare items and would support its high customer service standards.