Until now, the owner, Mark Turner, kept the business records on his personal computer. He created a simple database to keep track of inventory, but it is not always up-to-date. He also developed spreadsheets to track expenses and payroll. The business has grown and Mark wants to install a new computer system to handle all business functions. 

In Chapter 6, you learned that Campus Bikes is a popular bicycle shop located near a major university. The shop sells several brands of new bikes, including everything from high-end racing models to beach cruisers. In addition to sales of new bikes and accessories, Mark’s service department is always busy. The staff includes Mark himself, a bookkeeper, two part-time sales reps, a full-time mechanic, and several part-time service helpers who assemble bikes. 

  

You are a lab assistant in the computer information department at the college. You earned a computer science degree at a two-year school, and you recently decided to work toward your four-year degree. Mark recently asked you to help him plan a system for Campus Bikes. You used an object-oriented approach to create a model of the business functions and actors involved. 

  

Now Mark wants you to do a “make or buy” analysis. Specifically, you will look into the pros and cons of in-house development versus purchase of a software package. Your research indicates that the most popular bike shop package is offered by a vendor called BikeData.

  

 In your last meeting, Mark said that tangible savings for a new system would be hard to measure, but improved customer care, better service department records, and increased productivity are expected. Mark estimates that these benefits will add up to about $3,000 per year, whether the system is developed in-house, or purchased from BikeData. 

  

You decide to compare relative costs to establish a total cost of ownership (TOC) over the useful life of the system. Based on your research, you put together the following summary:  

    Costs for Option A: Develop In-house  

  

• The system will have a six-year useful life, be very flexible, and easiest to maintain.

• It will cost $15,000 to develop, install, and configure the system, and $1,000 to load existing data.

• Mark and the bookkeeper can handle day-to-day support with no added expense.

  

    Costs for Option B: Purchase BikeData Software Package  

  

• This is a vertical package with a four-year useful life.

• The software is less flexible than an in-house system and some customizing will be needed.

• It will cost $8,000 to purchase, $1,500 to install and configure, $2,500 to load existing data, and $1,000 additional hardware will be needed

• Support is free for the first year, then there is a $2,000 annual fee

  

    Benefits for Both Options: $3,000 per year  

  

    Tasks  

  

Create a PowerPoint presentation for Mark showing the results of your analysis, including recommendations and reasons.