Compare the alternative systems from Problem and Exercise 16 using the weighted approach demonstrated in Figure 7-19. Which system would you recommend? Why? Was the approach taken in this and Problem and Exercise 16 useful even for this relatively small system? Why or why not?

Data from Problem and Exercise 16

The owner of two pizza parlors located in adjacent towns wants to computerize and integrate sales transactions and inventory management within and between both stores. The point-of-sale component must be easy to use and flexible enough to accommodate a variety of pricing strategies and coupons. The inventory management, which will be linked to the point-of-sale component, must also be easy to use and fast. The systems at each store need to be linked so that sales and inventory levels can be determined instantly for each store and for both stores combined. The owner can allocate $40,000 for hardware and $20,000 for software and must have the new system operational in three months. Training must be short and easy. Briefly describe three alternative systems for this situation and explain how each would meet the requirements and constraints. Are the requirements and constraints realistic? Why or why not?

Figure 7.19.

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Criteria Requirements Real-time data entry Auto reorder Real-time data query Constraints Development costs Hardware costs Time to operation Ease of training Total Weight Alternative A Rating Score 18 18 14 50 20 15 10 5 50 100 5 90 3 54 1 14 158 5 5 5 5 100 75 50 25 250 408 Alternative B Alternative C Rating Score Rating Score 5 5 3 4 4 4 3 90 90 42 222 80 60 40 15 195 417 5 5 5 3435 90 90 70 250 60 60 30 25 175 425