Fresh Air: Ethical and Environmentally Friendly Air Conditioning Systems

About Fresh Air

Fresh Air is a national independent air conditioning system manufacturer and installer. They have over forty years of experience in manufacturing, sales and installation for trade customers around the world. They manufacture and supply for large-scale projects, such as new University campus buildings

Fresh Air pride themselves on being an environmentally friendly company, sourcing their power from ethical green suppliers, and incorporating sustainable solutions where possible in their new installations. They send an experienced engineer to work with architects during the planning and design phases of a new build, and ensure regular visits to a developing building before they start their own installation. This ensures they are aware of any changes potentially affecting their product. Materials they use are ethically sourced and recyclable where possible but this does increase the cost of products by around 20% when compared to competitors. 

They undertake regular careful market analysis, identifying exciting future trends and making sure they keep abreast of competitor developments. Being the first to provide market leading service and products helps to offset the additional costs relating to ethical and environmental choices. It’s one of the unique selling points for the company and attracts businesses who are keen to have the latest technology installed in their new build. Ultimately, their installations can save companies around 30% in their heating and cooling bills over a long-term period (5 years or more). 

Fresh Air employ over 100 staff in a variety of roles, including management, market research, sales, design, manufacturing, testing, installation, IT services and customer aftercare. They would like to undertake a full review of IT services from a security and compliance perspective and introduce a unified desktop solution for all staff, with a supporting helpdesk. The helpdesk will offer walk in, telephone, email and chat support.

Finances

Fresh Air ask trade customers to pay a 20% deposit when an order is placed. Once manufacturing of bespoke parts is due to begin (usually within one month) the customer is billed a further 30%. This covers the cost of administration and early manufacturing. The final invoice is sent electronically to customers within 24 hours of installation and testing, with a request to pay the full balance within one week. This is tracked via a Sales based system which currently has no log in requirement and is installed on just two computers in the main office.

1. A risk assessment analysis relating to IT services and data security and your recommendations for risk mitigation to ensure business continuity. 

2. A summary of ethical, social, legal and regulatory compliance issues relating to this case study, to include clear information on all applicable laws and industry best practice (such as ISO27K). The summary should demonstrate an understanding of the differences between ethical and legal considerations. It should include a clear list of controls you plan to implement with justification for each.

3. An A4 electronic poster showing the steps to be taken for Disaster Recovery. It should indicate responsibilities and have a clear start and end. This process is to be followed by your IT team in the event of an IT related disaster.

4. A reflection on the portfolio you have produced: its strengths and weaknesses and your own learning based on your degree route.

5. The entire portfolio needs to be professionally presented.