Article
Make, Source, or Buy: The Decision to Acquire a New Reporting System
Journal of Cases on Information Technology
(2006)
Abstract
The College of Business (COB) at Northern Washington University (NWU) needs new data systems to provide reports and information both internally and for its external accrediting body. Dewitt Brown, COB’s associate dean, has been tasked with determining COB’s needs and developing recommendations for sources of systems. COB could develop the systems internally since it has database expertise among its faculty and staff. Or, it could outsource to NWU’s information technology staff. A third option, at least for some systems, is to purchase from an outside vendor. The decision is crucial: efficient, accurate reporting of data is key to COB’s strategic plan to continue its accreditation as well as ensure that operations are smooth as possible. If COB were to lose its accreditation, it would lose status and likely lose funding and students as well.
Keywords
- Acquisition decisions,
- Information technology
Disciplines
Publication Date
2006
DOI
10.4018/jcit.2006070105
Publisher Statement
IGI Global
Citation Information
Ross, S.C., Burton, B.K, and Tyran, C.K. 2006. Software acquisition for a multi-featured data management and reporting system. Journal of Cases on Information and Technology, 8 (3): 55-70.