This presentation shows how we can select hardware and software in management information sofware.

1. BCA IV SEM
College of Science

4. The decision to acquire the computer hardware or
software must be handled in the same way as any
other business decision. The variety of sized &
types of computing resources available puts a
burden on the analyst who must select suitable
hardware, software services & advice to top
management accordingly.

6. 1. Define system capabilities.
2. Specify magnitude of the problem. How big the
problem is .
3. Assess the competence the in- house staff.
4. Develop time frame for the selection process .
5. Hardware software should be considered as a package.

7. The selection process should be viewed as a
project and a project team should be formed
with the help of the management .The
selection process consists of several steps
which are discussed below.

9. REQUIREMENT ANALYSIS :
The first step in selection
understands the user’s requirements
within the framework of the
organization’s objectives and the
enviornment in which the system is
being installed.

10. SYSTEM SPECIFICATION :
The system specification must be clearly defined .
these specification must reflects the actual
application to be handled by the system.
EVALUATION AND VALIDATION :
he evaluation phase ranks various vendor proposals
and determines the one best suited to the user’s
requiremeTnts . it looks into items such as price,
availability and technical support.

11. VENDER SELECTION :
This step determines the vender with
the best combination of reputation,
reliability , service record ,training ,
delivery time, lease/ finance terms. The
selected venders are invited to give
their presentations of their system.

12. Requirement Analysis
System Specification
Evaluation And Validation
Vender Selection

13. Software selection is a critical aspect of system
development . there are 2 ways of acquiring
software : custom- made or ‘off the
shell’(readymade) package. Today there is great
demand for these packages because they are quite
cheap.

14. The criteria for software selection should be
based on following points:-
o Reliability
o Functionality
o Capacity
o Flexibility
o Usability
o Security
o Performance
o Serviceability
o Ownership
o Minimal costs.

15. RELIABILITY –
It is the probability that the software will executed in a specific period of
time without any failures. It is important to the professional user. It brings
up the concept of modularity, or the ease which a package can be modified.
FUNCTIONALITY –
It is the definition of the facilities, performance and other factors that
the user requires in the finished product.
CAPACITY –
Capacity refers to the capability of the software package to handle the
users requirements for size of files, number of data elements, and reports.
All limitations should be checked.

16. FLEXIBILITY –
It is a measure of effort required to modify an operational program. One
feature of flexibility is adaptability.
USABILITY –
This criteria refers to the effort required to operate, prepare the input,
and interpret the output of a program. Additional points considered here
are portability and understandability. Portability refers to the ability of
the software to be used. Understandability is the purpose of the product.
SECURITY –
It is a measure of the likelihood that a system’s user can accidentally or
intentionally access or destroy unauthorized data.

17. PERFORMANCE –
It is a measure of the capacity of the software package to do what it is
expected to do. This criteria focuses on throughput or how effectively a
package performs under peak load.
SERVICEABILITY –
This criteria focuses on documentation and vendor support.
OWNERSHIP –
Who owns the software ,and to consider whether he has the right to access the
software, or he can sell or modify the software.
MINIMAL COSTS –
Cost is a major consideration in deciding between in-house and vendor software.

18. hEvaluation process :-:
1. Benchmark programs
2. Experience of other users
3. Product reference manuals

19. A system analyst must go through the above
mentioned check list, While selecting a software for
a system. these was followed for both the ways of
selecting a software-
As we have read before that now –a- days
readymade software packages are available in
market & they are cheap also .
Here are some of the advantages & disadvantages of
packages .
o Custom made
o packages

20. ADVANTAGES DIS ADVANTAGES
I. A good package can get
the system running quickly.
II. Mis personnel are
released for other
projects.
III. Home grown software
can take more time and
cost that cannot be
predicted.
IV. Package can be tested
before purchasing it.
I. These packages may not
meet user requirements in
all aspects.
II. Extensive modification
of a package usually
results in loss of the
vendor’s support.