A third way to improve the development process is to use computer - aided software engineering tools to automate important aspects of the software development process. CASE tools are used to plan, analyze, design, program, and maintain an information system. They are also used to enhance the efforts of managers, users, and programmers in understanding information needs.
Ann considered the different strategies discussed in this chapter and eliminate several of them. She decided against outsourcing the AIS because she did not feel that option would provide Shoppers Mart with the type of system that management wanted. She also believed her team could do a better and faster job developing the system than an outsourcer. Ann did not think that prototyping would be effective, because Shoppers Mark needed a large and complex system that would serve the needs of many users in many functional areas. Ann discussed the new system with top management and the systems staff and decided that the company's business processes did not need to be radically overhauled; that is, the system did not need to be reengineered.
Ann narrowed her options down to purchasing a system or designing one in - house If Shoppers Mark decides to develop its own software, Ann will investigate the various CASE packages on the marker to see if they will add value to the development process.
No matter which approach she chooses, Ann wants to facilitated as much end - user development as is practical and useful. Ann will make the final decision during the conceptual design phase (Chapter 20). To gather the information she needs to decide whether to purchase software, Ann prepares and sends an RFP to vendors. The RFP asks the vendors to propose software and hardware to meet the company's needs as identified during systems analysis.
KEY TERMS
canned software 703
turnkey system 703
application service provider (ASP) 703
request for proposal (RFP) 704
benchmark problem 706
point scoring 706
requirements costing 706
custom software 707
end - user computing (EUC) 708
end - user development (EUD) 709
help desk 711
outsourcing 712
business process reengineering (BPR) 714
business process management (BPM) 714
prototyping 716
prototype 716
operational prototype 718
nonoperational (throwaway) prototype 718
computer-aided software (or systems) engineering (CASE) 720
AIS IN ACTION
CHAPTER QUIZ
1. Which of the following is not one of the difficulties accountants have experienced using the traditional systems development life cycle?
a. AIS development projects are backlogged for years.
b. Changes are not usually possible after requirements have been frozen.
c. The AIS that is developed may not meet their needs.
d. All of the above are difficulties with the SDLC.