A University Is Evaluating Options for an Enterprise Information System

question 45

Essay

A university is evaluating options for an enterprise information system to replace their antiquated systems. The CIO has developed the following criteria:
At a minimum, the system (or system provider)must be capable of:
Technical support available 24/7
Have successfully installed and maintained systems in universities of similar size.
Beyond this, systems will be evaluated according to initial cost, annual maintenance and support costs, and ease of use.
The three companies that are vying for the university's business supplied the following information about their performance on these criteria.
$$\begin{array} { | l | l | l | l | } \hline { \text { Criterion } } &{ \text { A } } & { \text { B } } & { \text { C } } \\\hline \text { Tech support } 24 / 7 & 24 / 7 & 24 / 7 & 8 - 5 \mathrm { M } - \mathrm { F } \\\hline \text { Installed base } & 3 \text { installations } & 7 \text { installations } & 1 \text { installation } \\\hline \text { Initial cost } & \$ 2.3 \text { million } & \$ 1.9 \text { million } & \$ 1.25 \text { million } \\\hline \text { Annual cost } & \$ 100 \mathrm {~K} & \$ 125 \mathrm {~K} & \$ 75 \mathrm {~K} \\\hline \text { Ease of use } & 20 \text { hours training } & 20 \text { hours training } & 40 \text { hours training } \\\hline\end{array}$$ Create and analyze a graph showing each competitor's performance with regards to order winners and order qualifiers. Which firm should get the business and why? If you were consulting with the three potential system providers, what advice would you give each one?

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Definitions:

Conifers

A group of cone-bearing seed plants, predominantly evergreens, that includes pines, spruces, and firs, among others.

Herbivores

Organisms that feed exclusively or mostly on plant matter.

Intense Sunlight

A condition characterized by strong, direct sunlight with a high level of ultraviolet radiation, often leading to increased temperature and potential for sunburn.

Spongy Mesophyll

The loosely arranged mesophyll cells near the lower epidermis in certain leaves. Compare with palisade mesophyll.