week 2 part one Flashcards
What is outsourcing in the context of software development?
Turning over responsibilities for some or all of an organization’s information systems applications and operations to an external firm.
What are the main reasons for outsourcing software development?
- Freeing up internal resources
- increasing revenue potential
- reducing time to market
- increasing process efficiencies
- outsourcing noncore activities.
What are the six major sources of software?
IT services firms, Packaged software providers, Enterprise software, Cloud computing, Open-source software, and In-house development.
What do IT service firms provide?
They develop custom information systems for internal use by companies, employing skilled IT professionals.
What is packaged software?
Prebuilt software that serves multiple market segments, ranging from broad productivity tools to niche applications.
What is another term for packaged software?
Off-the-shelf software.
What is a limitation of off-the-shelf software?
It may only meet about 70% of an organization’s needs and might not be customizable.
What is enterprise software?
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that integrate multiple business functions into a seamless system.
What are the benefits of ERP systems?
A single repository for consistent and accurate data, and the ability to add additional modules as needed.
What is cloud computing?
The provision of computing resources, including applications, over the Internet, often on a pay-per-use basis.
What are examples of cloud computing services?
Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, and SalesForce.com for customer relationship management.
What are the benefits of cloud computing?
Lower cost, faster access to applications, freeing internal staff from maintenance duties.
What are concerns with cloud computing?
Security and reliability issues.
What is open-source software?
Freely available software, including its source code, developed by a community.
What are examples of open-source software?
Linux, MySQL, Firefox.
How do companies make money with open-source software?
Providing maintenance/services or selling a premium version with more features.
What is in-house development?
Developing software using an organization’s own staff.
What is a common approach when developing software in-house?
A hybrid approach that combines in-house development with purchased software components.
What are key factors to consider when choosing off-the-shelf software?
Cost, functionality, vendor support, flexibility, and documentation.
What is a Request for Proposal (RFP)?
A document sent to vendors requesting proposals for hardware and software that meet system requirements.
What are ways to validate purchased software?
Testing it based on selection criteria and gathering feedback from other users.
Why should companies create a scoring system when reviewing multiple vendor proposals?
To fairly evaluate different vendors and ensure objective decision-making.
