Electronic spreadsheets are useful tools, especially when creating a business budget. Once a spreadsheet is set up correctly in Excel®, values can be modified at any time, and the electronic spreadsheet will automatically update itself. Students will create a spreadsheet of computer equipment for a small fictional business where they are the owner. They will include the cost of all hardware and software needed for their employees, and calculate a monthly budget for the equipment. Imagine you are the owner of a small internet business where you employ five people. You need to budget for the cost of hardware and software needed to run company operations. Each employee is required to work both in the office and remotely, and needs access to company data at all times. the hardware and software that will provide your employees with the ability to stay connected to internal company data, communicate and collaborate with coworkers, and process data and sales information using wording, processing, and spreadsheet software applications.

In order to create a budget for the necessary hardware and software for your small internet business, it is important to first identify the specific requirements for your employees. Since they will be working both in the office and remotely, they will need access to company data at all times. Additionally, they will need the ability to communicate and collaborate with coworkers, as well as process and analyze data and sales information using word processing, spreadsheet, and data processing software applications.

For the hardware component, you will need to consider the following:

1. Computers: Each employee will require a computer that is capable of running the necessary software applications. It is recommended to choose computers with sufficient processing power, memory, and storage capacity to handle the workload. Additionally, considering the portability requirement, laptops or mobile devices with docking stations may be suitable choices.

2. Networking equipment: In order to provide easy and secure access to company data, you will need networking equipment such as routers and switches. It is important to ensure that these devices are capable of providing reliable and high-speed internet connectivity, both in the office and remotely.

3. Peripheral devices: Depending on the specific needs of your employees, you may need to budget for peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and external storage devices.

As for the software component, the following applications will be essential:

1. Word processing software: This type of software will enable your employees to create, edit, and format documents, such as reports, memos, and other business correspondence. Popular options include Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and OpenOffice.

2. Spreadsheet software: Spreadsheet software is crucial for managing and analyzing data, such as sales figures and financial records. Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc are commonly used spreadsheet applications.

3. Data processing software: This category includes software applications that are specialized in handling large amounts of data and performing complex data analysis tasks. Examples include statistical analysis software like SPSS or programming languages like Python or R for data manipulation and analysis.

4. Communication and collaboration tools: To facilitate communication and collaboration among your employees, you may need to invest in tools such as email clients, instant messaging applications, and project management software. Popular choices include Microsoft Outlook, Slack, and Trello.

Once you have identified the hardware and software requirements, you can proceed with researching the current market prices for these items. It is important to compare different options and consider factors such as reliability, compatibility, and customer support. Additionally, you should also budget for any ongoing maintenance costs and software updates.