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System Selection and Design in Accounting Information Systems - A Comprehensive Guide

Learn about system selection goals, advantages of alternative sources, accountant's role, structured design advantages, and implementation planning in Accounting Information Systems. Explore software and hardware acquisition alternatives, vendor comparison, request for proposal process, and structured design plans.

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System Selection and Design in Accounting Information Systems - A Comprehensive Guide

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  1. Chapter 1 Chapter 17 System Selection and System Design Introduction to Accounting Information Systems

  2. 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

  3. Learning Objectives (2) • Know goals, plans, tasks, results of structured design • Understand advantages of structured design • Appreciate importance of implementation planning

  4. 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

  5. Accountant’s involvement • System specialist/consultant • staff accountant • internal auditor

  6. 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

  7. Software acquisition alternatives • Internal development • External acquisition • turnkey systems • service bureaus • system integrators

  8. Hardware acquisition alternatives • Internal acquisition • purchase • rental (operating lease) • capital lease • External acquisition • outsourcing • facilities management

  9. System selection plans/documents

  10. Request for Proposal • Descriptions of scope of request • Hardware • Software • Services • System description, including logical & physical specifications • inputsoutputsfilesprocesses, controls

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. Complete configuration plan • Complete software plan • Complete hardware plan • Prepare configuration plan • Obtain approvals

  17. 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

  18. Structured design plans & documents

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. Learning Objectives (2) • Know goals, plans, tasks, results of structured design • Understand advantages of structured design • Appreciate importance of implementation planning

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