Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9: SYSTEMS DESIGN STRATEGIES
1. Advantages of Purchasing Ready Made Software Packages
- More efficient because programs have been created, tested and proven
- Can be purchased and installed in relatively short period of time
- Can be implemented quicker and less expensive than building own application from scratch.
2. Procurement of software package
i. Evaluate the information systems requirements
Analyze the requirements of your information system by identifying its key features.
ii. Identify potential vendors
Locate vendors selling packages that might satisfy your needs then finalize it to just three or four vendors.
iii. Select And Purchase The Software Package
The vendor will install the package by considering the built-in functionality of the package, the degree of uniqueness of the company’s needs and the willingness of the organization and vendor to compromise on the issue of the closeness of the fit between the organization’s needs and the software features.
iv. Install The Software Package
The system will still have to be tested, users trained and a conversion strategy to move from the old system to the new one.
3. Outsourcing
It is an agreement by which an organization contracts for the provision of information systems services from another company.
Advantages: Can do the job faster, better, less expensive than in-house, full-time staff
4. Types of Outsourcing Contracts
i. Fixed Price Contracts
You will pay no more than the expected if your outsourcer exceeds the agreed-upon price, they will have to absorb the cost.
ii. Value-added Contracts
The outsourcer reaps some percentage of the completed system’s benefits.
iii. Short Term Contracts
It help leave room for reassessment if needs change or if the relationship is not working the way both parties expected.
5. End User Development Approach
- It is the trend where users developing their own applications rather than relying on systems professionals.
- Using 4th generation programming language (4GL) provides an opportunity for end users to develop their own applications.
- It is better than (3GL) because are quicker to write, test and maintain.
- Advantages:
o Communication problems are reduced
o Development is speeded up
o Likelihood of users changing their requirements during the development process is reduced.
- Areas where the use of end user application development would not be appropriate:
o Changing the content of databases
o Application with high-volume transactions
o Application requiring processing efficiency and multiple processing steps
o Application involving several departments in the organization
o Application requiring formal documentation
o Application requiring long development process
o Application requiring detailed formal specifications
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