NMIMS Semester 3 April 2025 ITSM Assignments

Cloud Computing

1. You are invited by the Government of Wakanda to advise on deployment of cloud for their e-governance services. The Government is very keen to reduce the total cost of ownership and increase scalability of its e-governance infrastructure. As such, it is evaluating the use of cloud and the right choice for the deployment model. You have been asked to provide a brief report explaining pros and cons of each cloud deployment model for e-governance systems in Botswana.

2. You are the VP of IT at Ramgarh Cooperative Bank (RCB), which has been acquired by BiggBank, one of India’s largest banks. Historically, the Management of RCB has been very conservative regarding their IT Dept., which has been regarded as a Support Function & Cost Center. Hence, RCB’s IT Assets, including several critical Legacy Banking Apps are completely On-Premise.

As part of the acquisition, the CIO of BiggBank has asked you to prepare a Cloudification Strategy document. This needs to address (almost) complete migration of all On-Premise Assets to the Cloud and as well, address App Modernization / App of the Legacy Banking Apps. This Cloudification Strategy document needs to answer the following questions…

Which Cloud Services do you intend to use – i.e., IaaS, PaaS and/or SaaS?

Which Cloud Service Provider do you feel would be the best fit – i.e., AWS, Azure, or Google App Engine?

Prepare an Approach Document to serve as the basis of an Executive Meeting with the BiggBank CIO to discuss this initiative. You may get more details by visiting the web site of these CSPs or you can make your own assumptions.

3. The Top Management of Hippocrates Pharma is meeting to discuss their plan for a new Production Planning Software. The COO, Mr. Unnithan, and the CFO, Ms. Sinha, are of the strong opinion that the company should develop and implement Customized, On-Premise Production Planning Software to be developed by the Company’s long-term IT Service Provider. This is because Mr. Unnithan feels that the company’s products and processes are unique and need a customized solution.

On the other hand, both Ms. Naidu, Head of Sales and Mr. Sandhu, CIO are keen to move to a popular SaaS-based ERP Product and use their Production Planning Module. Mr. Sandhu also intends to use other modules in this ERP for other Departments. The debate is getting heated as Mr. Unnithan also recalled past IT system implementation failures.

a. What arguments can Mr. Unnithan  make  in  favor  of  in-house  Custom  On-Premise Production Planning Software?

b. What arguments can Mr. Sandhu make in favor of a SaaS-based Production Planning Module?

E-Business

1. As the owner of a popular online gaming platform, you are currently exploring various revenue models to diversify and enhance your income streams. Explain the different types of revenue models applicable to e-businesses. Additionally, identify which revenue models are most suitable for the popular online gaming platform. Address the potential challenges associated with each revenue model and how they may influence the success of the gaming platform.

2. In an online gifting business, acquiring customer data is essential for understanding your target audience and improving your marketing strategies. Enlist the various methods for collecting customer data online and provide concise explanations for passive (at least 2) and active (at least 2) data collection techniques used by online gifting apps. Additionally, discuss the ethical considerations associated with each data collection method used by online gifting companies.

3. Case study on cloud kitchen business

Imagine you have been hired by a cloud kitchen restaurant business to enhance their operational productivity as an operations consultant. To improve their operations, you decide to introduce the concepts of e-SCM (electronic supply chain management) and e- CRM (electronic customer relationship management) to the management team, explaining their potential benefits

a. Explain how implementing e-SCM can help the cloud kitchen manage its supply chain more efficiently and effectively, while implementing e-CRM can help the business better understand and serve its customers.

b. Describe how the cloud kitchen restaurant can integrate e-SCM and e-CRM to create a more efficient and customer-centric business model.

Fundamentals of Big Data & Business Analytics

1. Consider a hypothetical scenario in the financial industry where a retail bank is looking to enhance its customer segmentation strategies using big data analytics. Discuss how the concepts of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics can be applied to analyze customer transaction data and improve marketing campaigns. Provide specific examples of analytical techniques and potential business outcomes.

2. Imagine a healthcare organization aiming to reduce readmission rates for patients with chronic diseases. Explain how big data analytics can help identify high-risk patients, predict readmission likelihood, and prescribe personalized interventions to improve patient outcomes. Illustrate the application of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics in addressing this healthcare challenge.

3 a) A leading consumer goods company wants to optimize its supply chain operations to reduce inventory costs and improve product availability. Describe how descriptive analytics can be used to analyze historical sales data and identify demand patterns. Provide examples of data visualization techniques that can aid in understanding supply chain dynamics and optimizing inventory levels.

b) In the transportation  sector,  a  logistics  company  is  seeking  to  enhance  route optimization and fleet management using big data analytics. Discuss how descriptive analytics can be applied to analyze transportation data, such as vehicle GPS coordinates and delivery times. Additionally, explain the role of predictive analytics in forecasting traffic patterns and optimizing delivery routes for efficiency and cost savings.

IT Infrastructure Management

1. You have been tasked with leading a training session for your IT team on enterprise-level virtualization platforms. To ensure the team understands the architecture and implementation details, how would you describe the core components of an enterprise-level virtualization platform and their roles? Also, what key implementation characteristics of these components would you highlight to ensure successful deployment and management?

2. Imagine you are part of a team managing the IT infrastructure for a large e-commerce platform. During a crucial sale event, your team identifies several risks. Your manager asks you to prepare a comprehensive risk management strategy by classifying the risks to determine the appropriate response strategy for each along with the tools or methods to mitigate the risks effectively.

3. NovaTech Solutions has secured a project to manage the IT infrastructure for Zenith Dynamics, a fast-growing global fintech company. The success of the project heavily depends on a well-structured IT design and a thorough understanding of client requirements. You are responsible for orienting your team to ensure effective execution of this critical project.

a) What are the core components that lay the foundation for designing a robust IT infrastructure in an organization?

b) Outline the process of requirement gathering and analysis that you would recommend your team adopt to ensure all client needs are effectively captured and addressed.

Emerging Technologies: IoT, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality

1. The government of a developing nation has initiated a smart city project aimed at improving urban living through integrated technologies. These include smart traffic systems, waste management solutions, connected public utilities, and advanced surveillance networks. While the project has garnered praise for its potential to enhance efficiency and sustainability, data privacy and cybersecurity concerns have emerged. The centralized nature of data collection and real-time monitoring exposes the system to risks such as unauthorized access, cyberattacks, and misuse of personal information. Citizens are wary of how their data is collected, stored, and used, questioning whether sufficient safeguards are in place. What strategies can governments adopt to address the security and privacy challenges in smart cities while ensuring efficient service delivery and public trust? Discuss the role of robust data governance frameworks, advanced cybersecurity measures, and citizen awareness programs in mitigating these risks.

2. A leading healthcare provider has begun integrating Augmented Reality (AR) into its operations to enhance patient care and improve medical training. AR applications include virtual overlays during surgeries to visualize internal organs, real-time guidance for minimally invasive procedures, and interactive 3D anatomical models for patient education. Additionally, AR is used in physical therapy by gamifying exercises to boost patient engagement and recovery rates. Despite these advancements, challenges such as high implementation costs, technical complexity, and limited user training have emerged. There are also concerns about the reliability of AR systems in critical medical scenarios and their acceptance among healthcare professionals and patients. How can healthcare organizations effectively integrate AR into their practices to maximize its potential benefits while addressing challenges such as cost, reliability, and user adoption? Discuss the role of investment in technology, training, and stakeholder collaboration in achieving successful AR implementation in healthcare.

3. A prestigious educational institution has introduced Virtual Reality (VR) technology in its classrooms to enhance the learning experience. VR applications are used in subjects such as history, where students can immerse themselves in historical events, and in medical education, where future doctors can simulate surgeries and complex medical procedures. The institution has seen initial positive reactions from students, citing VR’s engaging and interactive nature. However, challenges such as the high cost of equipment, the need for technical support, and the risk of students becoming too absorbed in the virtual world have emerged.

a) How can educational institutions balance the benefits of VR technology with the challenges of cost and technical support? Balancing the Benefits of VR Technology with the Challenges of Cost and Technical Support

b) What measures should be taken to ensure that VR is used effectively for educational purposes without overwhelming students or detracting from traditional learning methods?

IT Project Management

1. Explain the need for effective Project Management in IT, detailing how project management helps in meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality outcomes.

2. Explain the concept of the Project Charter. What are its key components, and what purpose does it serve in the initiation phase of the project? How does the Project Charter formally authorize the project and outline the project’s objectives, scope, and stakeholders?

3. You have been assigned as the Project Manager for an IT project to develop a customized software solution for a client. The project involves a tight timeline, a significant budget, and high expectations from the client regarding both the scope and quality of deliverables. You are in the planning phase of the project and need to ensure that the project’s scope, budget, schedule, and risk management plans are carefully planned and documented to meet the client’s expectations and avoid potential project failures. Address the following aspects:

a) Detail how you will define the project scope. What are the key steps involved in defining the scope, and how will you ensure that the project’s deliverables are clearly identified and agreed upon by all stakeholders? What methods and tools might you use to ensure that the scope is well defined?

b) Explain the process you would follow to develop the project schedule. How would you define the timeline for project activities, and what tools and techniques would you use to create a realistic and achievable schedule?