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Chapter 1. Chapter 17. System Selection and System Design. Introduction to Accounting Information Systems. Learning Objectives. Know goals, plans, tasks, results of sys. selection Know advantages/disadvantages of alternative sources for HW & SW
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Chapter 1 Chapter 17 System Selection and System Design Introduction to Accounting Information Systems
Learning Objectives • Know goals, plans, tasks, results of sys. selection • Know advantages/disadvantages of alternative sources for HW & SW • Appreciate advantages/disadvantages alternative financing • Understand process of choosing HW & SW • Recognize how accountant involved in selection • Understand how accountant involved in design
Learning Objectives (2) • Know goals, plans, tasks, results of structured design • Understand advantages of structured design • Appreciate importance of implementation planning
System selection goals • Determine what computer software will implement logical specifications • Determine what computer hardware will implement physical requirements • Choose acquisition financing methods • Determine appropriate acquisition ancillaries
Accountant’s involvement • System specialist/consultant • staff accountant • internal auditor
Approved configuration plan • Chose s/w package and expected performance specifications • Chosen h/w type, mfg., model, expected performance specifications • Items for s/w & h/w contracts • Results of testing alternative s/w & h/w • Assessment of financing & outsourcing alternatives
Software acquisition alternatives • Internal development • External acquisition • turnkey systems • service bureaus • system integrators
Hardware acquisition alternatives • Internal acquisition • purchase • rental (operating lease) • capital lease • External acquisition • outsourcing • facilities management
Request for Proposal • Descriptions of scope of request • Hardware • Software • Services • System description, including logical & physical specifications • inputsoutputsfilesprocesses, controls
Request for Proposal (2) • Procedures for submitting proposals • Timetable • Evaluation methods • Final decision date • Price/budget constraints • Vendor information required • contract terms • warranty • general company information
Request for Proposal (3) • Hardware performance objectives • storage capacity & access • input/output speed & volumes • data communications requirements • computational demands • Software performance objectives • inputsrequired outputsfile sizes; access requirementsutilitieslanguage compilers
Request for Proposal (4) • Projected growth requirements • expected changes in volumes • modularity/expandability requirements • Evaluation criteria • ability to meet performance criteriareliabilitydocumentation trainingbackup costease of use expandability
Vendor Effectiveness Criteria Vendor Vendor A B Mandatory software requirements : Uses open-item AR aging Y N Operating system supports Y N multiprogramming S/W compatible with existing Y N Mandatory hardware requirements Remote communication Y Y feature available Rental available N Y
Weighted & Scored Vendor Comparison Vendor Vendor Vendor A B C Criteria Wt. Val. Score Val. Score Val. Score Ease of use 30 8 240 3 90 6 180 Expandability 30 3 90 5 150 7 210 Vendor 20 5 100 7 140 2 40 support Compatibility 10 8 80 5 50 2 20 Completeness 10 2 20 5 50 7 70 100 530 480 520 Total
Complete configuration plan • Complete software plan • Complete hardware plan • Prepare configuration plan • Obtain approvals
Structured System Design Goals • Convert structured specification into reliable, maintainable design • Develop plan & budget for orderly & controlled implementation • Develop implementation test plan • Develop user manuals • Develop training program
Approved systems design document • Use: • Programmers - to write programs • Personnel dept. - to do training • IS dept. - to test and implement system • Sections • Design specifications • Implementation plan and budget • Implementation test plan • User manual • Training plan
Learning Objectives • Know goals, plans, tasks, results of sys. selection • Know advantages/disadvantages of alternative sources for HW & SW • Appreciate advantages/disadvantages alternative financing • Understand process of choosing HW & SW • Recognize how accountant involved in selection • Understand how accountant involved in design
Learning Objectives (2) • Know goals, plans, tasks, results of structured design • Understand advantages of structured design • Appreciate importance of implementation planning