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Development This is the stage where the software programming is done, and the
technicians ensure that the new computer hardware works. This phase involves
discovering problems and spending long hours to solve them, and it requires
hard work on the part of the development team. The information system will
normally use an existing software package, but customization will be required
to make everything work as desired. For example, an oil refinery and a grocery
store might purchase the same “generic” information system package, but in both
cases many modifications would have to be made to make the software meet their
needs. A company that can use niche package software precisely tailored to their
industry can save considerable time and money.
Hardware and Software Purchasing All of the required hardware and software
must be purchased and delivered before any system can be installed and considered up and running. In most cases, the software and service costs far outweigh the hardware costs, as the service requires many hours of highly skilled
labor. Integrating all of the system’s computers and software and getting the
entire system to work as planned involves significant expenditures of financial
and human resources.
Installation and Testing Beta testing begins once the computers and software are
installed and operating. Beta testing is a period during which the system is rigorously tested before it is completely trusted to function as designed. Any previously installed information systems are usually still in operation, and information
from the old system can be moved to the new one during this time.
In the Big Engines case, the company would probably choose one of their many
factories to test the system. All of the other factories would continue using the
company’s old system until the new one was deemed satisfactory. Once the new
system has been approved, it would be installed in every plant, a process referred
to as rolling out the system.
Ordering and installing
hardware for a new
information system
can be an expensive
portion of the project
budget.
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