CMGT 445 Baderman
Island Resort Word Processing Software Upgrade Analysis
Using the analysis, submit a Request for Proposal that
would be sent to software vendors seeking their purchase and implementation of
the upgraded software application.
Attached are the analysis and Request for Proposal
template.
Baderman Island Resort Word Processing Software Upgrade Analysis
Baderman Island Resort opened business to the public in 2004 to
provide a quality experience to their guests and visitors. The organization
consists of three hotels, a convention center, four restaurants, two gift
shops, a pro shop and a spa (University of Phoenix, 2007). The island
resorts and associated entities are owned by the Baderman Island Resort and
executively managed by the Boardman Management Group. The organization has
grown over a period of time which has caused the computer equipment and
software to become varied in age and quality. The requires an analysis to
prepare the organization to achieve a uniform environment where the software is
the same across the organization to ensure functionality and compatibility.
Baderman Island Resort has numerous factors that need consideration
in upgrading the resort's existing word processing software or in purchasing
new software. The first factor to consider for the upgrade or replacement
decision is cost. The Boardman Management Group must compare the costs of
purchasing a new word processing application for the entire organization versus
upgrading the existing ones to a standardized, latest version from Microsoft. In
addition, the organization needs to weight the cost of using the external
services to do the analysis, and the costs associated with the implementation
and training employees to use the new software. A cost benefit analysis needs
to be performed to ensure that the requisite investment for an upgrade, or new
purchase is indeed beneficial and worthy for the organization. If analysis
proves that upgrading existing versions of Microsoft Word to a newer,
standardized version of word is cost-effective as well as practically feasible
and beneficial, it should consider this option. Although, if software from
another vendor is more attractive in terms of cost and functionality, then it
should chose the alternative software instead of an upgrade to its existing
software.
The second factor to consider is interoperability of the software
with the organization's computer systems. The resort currently uses Microsoft
Windows computers which are compatible with Microsoft Word, but some other computer
operating systems are not compatible with Microsoft word, such as Linux.
Baderman Island Resort needs to ensure that it considers a program that is
interoperable or used by most of its users. Microsoft Word is a very popular
product in the word processing market, and thus it's widespread use makes it a
viable solution for the organization. If the company believe that a software
product from another vendor is more attractive from a cost and benefit
perspective, then it has to consider interoperability and usability by its
Windows and Mac users.
A third factor to consider is the staff's readiness and familiarity
to use the software. The organization's staff is currently using Microsoft's
program, which will cause them to be hesitant in moving to an unfamiliar
application from other vendors. If the organization chooses to move to a
different software vendor, then more user training will have to occur versus if
the organization upgrades its existing software. The additional training will
be required to ensure the users will be able to accomplish the same level of
productivity with the new software.
A fourth factor for consideration is if any of the organizations
existing processes require the Microsoft Word product, or a specific Microsoft
Word version to function. Any software that is reliant on Microsoft Word will
need to be validated to work with a newer version of Microsoft Word. If the
organization replaces Microsoft Word with another product, then the process
will need to be adjusted to work with the different file format of the new
software product. The specializations that are currently implemented will need
to be transferred to the new solution, which could require additional funding
and time to implement.
Some other factors for consideration include file conversion, level
of impact, and hardware requirements on the organization regarding the decision
of upgrading or replacing the software product. If the organization replaces
Microsoft Word with a different software product, then the new software will
either need to be verified to support Microsoft Word documents or offer a way
to convert the existing documents into a new format that the new software
supports. The impact of the decision for upgrading or replacing its word
processing software will need to be carefully gauged, because the impact of
replacing the software with a new software product is potentially greater than
if the organization upgrades its existing software, if the new software is not
directly compatible with the existing documents and processes. The existing
hardware will also need to be evaluated against the software operating
requirements of a newer version of Microsoft Word or a replacement product. Any
computers that don't meet the operating requirements will require an upgrade to
operate the software.
References
University of Phoenix. (2007). SR-bi-001 --
Word Processing Software Upgrade. Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/cist/libraries/Service%20Requests/BadermanSR/badermanSR001.htm
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