Birdie Masters is a successful chain of golf schools located in the southwestern United States. The company has been developing a new system that will automate all of the schools operations, and is about ready to begin the installation of the new system. Currently, the school locations are being run with a rather jumbled combination of manual and automated record keeping, and the intent of this new system is to rationalize and standardize the record keeping and improve reporting and analysis capabilities. The system also has a web-based component that is used by school students to check on classes, enroll in classes and lessons, and monitor progress.

Because the winter golf season is approaching, activity at the golf schools is expected to increase soon, and management would like to have the new system in place. Discuss the conversion options that Birdie Masters should consider. What is your recommended conversion strategy? Explain your choices.