Hardware Selection , Computer Evaluation and Measurement , Benchmarking

Determining Size and Capacity Requirements:

- Internal Memory Size.

- Processing Speed.

- No of I/O channel.

- Characteristics of display and communication components.

- System Supports and Utility S/W available.

- Type of Auxiliary Storage Unit can attached.

Computer Evaluation and Measurement:

1. Benchmarking :

- Benchmark is the application of synthetic program to emulate the actual

processing work handle by computer system.

- Demonstrate data storage equipment techniques and provide the

opportunity to test specific function performed by the system.

- Examples: Speed of the central processor.

- System Simulator is the alternative of Benchmarking.

- System Simulators are used to determine performance differences.

2. Design of Synthetic Programs:

- A Synthetic Job is a program written to exercise a computer’s resources

in a way that allows the analyst to imitate the expected job stream and

determine the result.

- The Synthetic Job can be adjusted to produce the same type of activity

as actual program.

3. Comparison of Benchmarks:

- Comparison on the basis of equipment performance is better than no

comparison at all.

- There are drawbacks to the use of Benchmarks.

1. The comparisons are made on purely quantitative grounds.

2. Benchmarks do not provide reasonable assurance that programs run

on current system will run efficiently even if they are converted.

Plug-Compatible Equipment:

- Equipments which are not manufactured by the computer vendor known as

Plug-compatible equipment.

- Benefit is the lower cost of an component. (smaller investment in R&D)

Financial Factor:

1. Rental:

Advantage:

- Short term commitment.( 1-12 Months, Monthly Payment)

(Option of cancelling the Rental with advance notice, 30-60 days ahead)

- High level of flexibility.(Decision of purchase can be delayed).

Disadvantage:

- Rental is most expensive.(Monthly payments are higher, and organization

not receive any Tax or Ownership benefits)

- Little control over equipment change.

- Not all vendors will rent.

2. Lease:

Advantage:

- Predetermined Payments for fixed period.

- Does not require cash up front.

- Usually better service from vendor than under rental.

- Less expensive than rental.

Disadvantage:

- More expensive than purchase.

- May have limitations on hours of equipment use.

3. Purchase:

Advantage:

- Least cost in Long-Run.

- Distinct Tax advantages if profit-making firm.

- A Business investment.

- Full control over equipment use.

Disadvantage:

- Risk of Obsolescence.

- Permanent Commitment.

- Full responsibility for all problems.

- Greater early Cash requirements than other methods.

Maintenance and Support:

1. Maintenance Source:

- Warranty period typically a 90-day.

- Common source for maintenance is the firm from which it was purchased.

- Other Source is Third-Party Maintenance Companies.

2. Terms:

- The contract may be written to cover

1. Both Labor and Parts.

2. Labor and an allowance for parts.

3. Labor only , with part charges added as needed.

4. Service and Response:

- Two concern in maintenance are

1.The response time when service is requested,

2. The hours of support.

3. Options to In-House Systems:

- A Service Bureau is a company that owns computer facilities and makes

them available to users for a charge.

- Some service bureaus provide Data Processing Services.

- Facilities Management Companies provide a service to companies that wish

to develop information systems capabilities but that prefer not to maintain a

staff of Operators, Analyst s, and Programmers.

- It provides the information systems expertise and personnel for a fee.

- It also develops software or acquires commercial software to meet the

organization’s needs.