LUNES MARTES MIERCOLES JUEVES VIERNES SABADO DO.
6.1 ACTIVIDADES Y DESARROLLO DE LAS SESIONES Sesión
“I
t’s really some choice. I mean, no single package seems to have everything we want. Some of them come darn close, though,” says Roman, an advertising executive for Empire Magazinewith whom you have been working on a systems project. Recently, the two of you have decided that packaged software would probably suit the advertising department’s needs and stem its general decline.“The last guy’s demo we saw, you know, the one who worked for Data Coliseum, really had a well-rounded pitch. And I like their brochure. Full-color printing, on card stock. Classic,” Roman asserts. “And what about those people from Vesta Systems? They’re really fired up. And their package was easy to use with a minimum of ceremony. Besides, they said they would train all 12 of us, on- site, at no charge. But look at their advertising. They just take things off their printers.”
Roman fiddles in his chair as he continues his ad hoc review of software and software vendors. “That one package from Mars, Inc., really sold me all on its own, though. I mean, it had a built-in
calendar. And I like the way the menus for the screen displays could all be chosen by Roman numerals. It was easy to follow. And the vendor isn’t going to be hard to move on price. I think they’re al- ready in a price war.”
“Do you want to know my favorite, though?” Roman asks archly. “It’s the one put out by Jupiter, Unlimited. I mean, it has everything, doesn’t it? It costs a little extra coin, but it does what we need it to do, and the documentation is heavenly. They don’t do any training, of course. They think they’re above it.”
You are already plotting that to answer Roman’s burning ques- tions by your March 15 deadline, you need to evaluate the software as well as the vendors, systematically, and then render a decision. Evaluate each vendor and package based on what Roman has said so far (assume you can trust his opinions). What are Roman’s ap- parent biases when evaluating software and vendors? What further information do you need about each company and its software before making a selection? Set up a table to evaluate each vendor. Answer each question in a separate paragraph.
CHAPTER 3 • PROJECT MANAGEMENT 71 WHEN TO OUTSOURCE SOFTWARE SERVICES TO AN APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDER.
Organizations may realize some benefits from taking an entirely different approach to procuring software. This third option is to outsource some of the organization’s software needs to an application service provider that specializes in IT applications.
There are specific benefits to outsourcing applications to an application service provider (ASP). For example, organizations that desire to retain their strategic focus and do what they’re best at may want to outsource the production of information systems applications. Additionally, outsourcing one’s software needs means that the organization doing the outsourcing may be able to sidestep the need to hire, train, and retain a large IT staff. This can result in significant savings. When an organization uses an ASP, there is little or no expenditure of valuable employee time on nonessential IT tasks (these are handled professionally by the ASP).
Hiring an ASP should not be considered a magic formula for addressing software require- ments. There are drawbacks to the use of an ASP that must be seriously considered. One disad- vantage is a general loss of control over corporate data, information systems, IT employees, and even processing and project schedules. Some companies believe that the heart of their business is their information, so even the thought of relinquishing control over it is distressing. Another disadvantage is concern over the financial viability of any ASP that is chosen. There might also be concerns about the security of the organization’s data and records, along with concern about confidentiality of data and client privacy. Finally, when choosing an ASP, there is a potential loss of strategic corporate advantage that might have been gained through the company’s own deploy- ment of innovative applications created by their employees.
EVALUATION OF VENDOR SUPPORT FOR SOFTWARE AND ASPS. Whether you purchase a COTS package or contract for ASP services, you will be dealing with vendors who may have their own best interests at heart. You must be willing to evaluate software with users and not be unduly influenced by vendors’ sales pitches. Specifically, there are six main categories on which to grade software, as shown in Figure 3.10: performance effectiveness, performance efficiency, ease of use, flexibility, quality of documentation, and manufacturer support.
Able to perform all required tasks Able to perform all tasks desired Well-designed display screens
Adequate capacity
Fast response time Efficient input Efficient output Efficient storage of data Efficient backup
Satisfactory user interface Help menus available
“Read Me” files for last-minute changes Flexible interface
Adequate feedback Good error recovery Options for input Options for output Usable with other software Good organization Adequate online tutorial Web site with FAQ Technical support hotline Newsletter/email
Web site with downloadable product updates
Software Requirements Specific Software Features
Performance Efficiency Performance Effectiveness Ease of use Flexibility Quality of Documentation Manufacturer Support FIGURE 3.10 Guidelines for evaluating software.
72 PART I • SYSTEMS ANALYSIS FUNDAMENTALS
Evaluate packaged software based on a demonstration with test data from the business con- sidering it and an examination of accompanying documentation. Vendors’ descriptions alone will not suffice. Vendors typically certify that software is working when it leaves their supply house, but they will not guarantee that it will be error-free in every instance or that it will not crash when incorrect actions are taken by users. Obviously, they will not guarantee their packaged software if used in conjunction with faulty hardware.