Software sources Invitation to tender Evaluating supplier proposals The advantage and disadvantage of bespoke and off-the-shelf software Software contracts and licences

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Software Source
and
Selection
Lecture 15
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe
Thames Valley University
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Topic list
 Software sources
 Invitation to tender
 Evaluating supplier proposals
 The advantage and disadvantage of
bespoke and off-the-shelf software
 Software contracts and licences

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Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Invitation to tender (ITT)
 Invitation to tender (ITT): A document
that invites to bid for the supply of
specified software or hardware or
both.
 Covering letter
 Instructions
 Detailed software requirements
 Details of development
model/methodology
 Request for details of the proposed
software contract
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Invitation to tender (ITT) (cont…)
 Example, tenders should include:
 An outline proposal and project management plan
for the study. This must include details of the
following:
 Objectives
 Deliverables, including a brief description (or
reference to an example) of the final report. This
will need to be accessible to wide audience,
including non-technical readers, and readily
publishable in electronic media.
 Milestones
 Principal work packages

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Evaluating supplier proposals
 Factors to consider:
 Organisational needs
 Speed
 Documentation
 Capability
 Controls
 Modification
 Demonstration
 Training provided
 Support, maintained and updates
 Conditions included in the software contract
 Supplier size, reputation and customer base
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Evaluating supplier proposals (cont…)
 The proposal should be a
comprehensive document that
provides the vendor with the outline,
purpose, scope, description, minimum
requirements, etc for the system.

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Purchasing hardware and software
 Software sources
 Standard off-the-shelf package: simplest
option.
 Amended standard package: some
customised is undertaken so the software
meets the organisations requirements
 Standard package plus additions:
additional software that integrates with
the standard package
 Bespoke package: programmers write an
application suitable for an organisation
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Choosing an application package
 Off-the-shelf package:
 User requirements
 Processing times
 Documentations
 Compatibility
 Controls
 User interfaces
 Modifications
 Support, maintenance and update
 Cost

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Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Developing a bespoke package
 Feasibility and analysis
 Design and program specification
 Coding
 testing
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Software
 Computer programs that
govern/determine/control the
operation of the computer
 Computer instructions or data

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Software (cont…)
Software is often divided into two
categories.
 Systems software includes the
operating system and all the utilities
that enable the computer to function.
 Applications software includes
programs that do real work for users.
For example, word processors,
spreadsheets, and database
management systems fall under the
category of applications software.
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Software (cont…)
 Operating systems: provide interface
between machine and user
 Utilities: designed to perform a task related
activity
 Programming tools: designed to help
programmer to create computer instructions
 Off-the-shelf applications: software produced
by software house in a form of ready to use
 Bespoke applications: tailor made to met the
needs of an organisation

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Software Development Life Cycle (cont…)
Systems Implementation
Product:
Operational System
Systems Investigation
Product:
Feasibility Study
Systems Analysis
Product:
Functional Requirements
Systems Design
Product:
System Specifications
Systems Maintenance
Product:
Improved System
Understand the
Business
Problem or
Opportunity
Develop an
Information
System
Solution
Implement
the Information
System
Solution
Traditional
Approach
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Advantages of Packaged Software
 The software tends to be relatively
cheap as the cost of development can
be spread over a large number of
users.
 The software can be very sophisticated
(eg Excel of Word) as the revenues
from a very large numbers of users
means that a lot of resources can be
applied to it's development.

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Drawbacks of Packaged Software
 The software can be highly complex and will usually
include large sections that you will never use (the
average Word user is reputed to only use about 10% of
the available facilities).
 It tends to be a compromise. By it's nature it is
designed for many different types of users, each of
whom will have different requirements.
 As the software tends to be large and complicated it
may take a long time to learn properly (some of the
most asked for additions to later versions of Word were
ones that already existed in the previous version - it
was just that the users did not know that they existed
because the application was so big).
 You may have to alter the way that you work in order to
fit in with the way that the software has been designed
Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, Thames Valley University
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Advantages of Bespoke Software
 If you do not have the source code you are dangerously
exposed and are wholly dependent upon the developers
continuing existence and good will. To avoid this problem
make sure you choose a developer who provides you with the
source code.
 If the software is not developed to professional Best Practice
standards it may be unstable, unreliable and full of bugs (but
then again so is some packaged software!). Selecting a
developer who works to Best Practice should counteract this.
 The investment required will usually be much higher than with
packaged software. This is usually the biggest reason for not
going down the custom route - you need to undertake a
business justification excercise and compare the costs against
the expected benefits and commercial advantages.
 An unacceptable proportion of developers are either
incompetent, unprofessional or are 'cowboys' and it can be
difficult to sort out the good guys from the bad (the most
reliable method is to take up references and talk to some of
their recent clients).

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Software licences
 It is very important that all software to
be used in accordance with licence
conditions associated with the
software package.
 Software refers to the computer
programs listed in the chapter Object
of the Contract, both in the present
form and in all other machine-readable
forms; this also includes all updates
and security copies made by the
licensee.
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The software is protected by copyright.