Week 2 Homework

Problems and Exercises - Chapter 2: questions 2 and 3 (pp. 45)

2. Review the criteria for selecting off-the-shelf software presented in this chapter. Use your experience and imagination and describe other criteria that are or might be used to select off-the-shelf software in the “real world.” For each new criterion, explain how use of this criterion might be functional (i.e., it is useful to use this criterion), dysfunctional, or both.

Based off of my experience many factors come into play when electing off-the-shelf software. Depending on the budget I'm given I'd prioritize the basic cost of the software based on how good it meets my needs. I don't want to over pay for something that is in high demand when there are other competitors striving to sell me the same product. I want to see how functional it is with my current system and I do want to test it first before fully committing to purchasing it. I'm also curious how big this company is and how much vendor support they can handle. I would investigate how their customer service is and if their manuals are user friendly should I need to trouble shoot if something happens. This use of criterion would all be functional and will need my specific needs before it comes into my consideration for mass purchase.

3. In the section on choosing off-the-shelf software, eight criteria are proposed for evaluating alternative packages. Suppose the choice was between alternative custom software developers rather than prewritten packages. What criteria would be appropriate to select and compare among competing bidders for custom development of an application? Define each of these criteria.

In my opinion cost and viability of vendor are the two most important criteria in my priority list. It will show how they will compete for price and it will also determine the value of their actual company and reputation on the line based on their viability. Cost involves comparing the cost of developing the same system in-house...