1. What are some of the risks associated with a purchased package solution when it comes to maintenance?
Companies to be able to fully cost-optimize in expenditures, purchasing a software package solution can be seen as an alternative rather than hire a team of information technologists that proves to be costly. However, associated in opting to purchase a software package solution there are some risks attached to it. For example, risk in the security aspect wherein, a company tends to have little knowledge of. Another risk would be unfamiliarity, especially in the software’s limitation or loopholes. Obviously, software vendors would not explicit on this one and presumably, detection of software’s package limitation is not noticeable.
2. Briefly describe the three phases of the software development life cycle (SDLC).
There are four basic popular models commonly used by software development firms namely, prototyping model, rapid application development model, component assembly model and the software development life cycle (SDLC) model, which is also known as classic life cycle model, linear sequential model or the waterfall model. In SLDC, it primarily involves three phases. First, is the design upon which it is produced from the requirements phase and wherein pertinent details as to how the system will work. Second, is the implementation, considered to be the longest phase in the SDLC such that it produces from the deliverables of the design phase. Third, is the testing, wherein the whole package will be put into test as to how it addresses in solving the relevant needs that have been gathered prior to the design phase.
3. What are the two major advantages for an organization that purchases software rather than develops its own using its own skilled IS personnel?
One advantage of purchasing software is that it gives organizations a sense of security such that software vendors included warranty on their purchase, if in case, things would go wrong. The additional services and assistance being offered by software vendors may contribute to motivate organization in terms of their purchasing power and is tantamount to cost-optimization for the organization. Second advantage is the time that can be save of the organization since, although, hiring IT personnel can develop a certain software, it also entails time for them to come up with the software compared with just readily purchasing it via a software vendor.
4. List the main steps of each of the three SDLC phases.
The three SDLC phases are accompanied with main certain steps. In the design phase, it follows the steps of information engineering and modeling, software requirements analysis. The second phase, which is the implementation phase, also follows the steps of system analysis and design, code generations. The testing phase, as the last phase includes testing and maintenance.
5. Discuss the steps involved in using a Prototype Life Cycle as an alternative for systems projects
The prototyping life cycle (PLC) model is being considered as the first system and can still be used when there is the existence of a difficulty in the establishment of a detailed system specification. A PLC model has three steps, one, is the requirements gathering. In requirements gathering, both the developer and the customers, is set to define the necessary objectives, identify the known requirements and outline the specific areas where definition is mandatory to be able to come up with a win-win solution and ensures that both sides’ needs are meet. Second, is the quick design step which puts emphasis in the representation of all the aspects of the software and be made salient to the customers or the users. Third, is the customer evaluation, which proves to be the most vital in the PLC model steps because it is invaluable such that the customer evaluation can be used in further assessing the whole software and prompts software developers to redefine and improve on some aspects, if necessary, in the long-run results to satisfying customer’s needs and at the same time it enables developer to be constantly challenge in his or her craft.
6. You run a small business. You have no IS specialists on your staff and plan to purchase all of your software. What might be your three most important concerns?
Basically, the three major concerns will be in the security, maintenance and in the implementation. In every organization, even if there are IS specialist, security concerns are evident such that there will always be a need to protect the entire system from unauthorized access. The hackers or intruders, will always find a way to uncover the precautionary measures, thereby, there will always be a need also to update and implement protection means to secure the system from plausible interference. Maintenance and implementation, on one hand, also are major concerns because without IS specialist, nobody would be available to constantly monitor and re-evaluate the efficiency of the whole system.
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