| Aim of Module | To enable students to gain an understanding of the processes involved in evaluating hardware, software and suppliers, and of the mechanics involved in procuring computing resources. |
| Credits | 7 |
| Student Learning hours | 70 |
| Content Revised | pre 1996 |
| Prescription Expiry Date | Nov 2007 |
| Topics | Highest Skill Level | Suggested Assessment Percentage | |
| 1 Software Requirements Evaluation | C | 25 | |
| 2 Hardware Configuration Issues | C | 25 | |
| 3 Vendor Selection Criteria | C | 25 | |
| 4 Requests for Proposal | C | 25 | |
| 100 | |||
| LEARNING OUTCOMES The Student Will | ||
| C | 1 | Be able to identify the steps involved in the hardware and software evaluation process. |
| C | 2 | Demonstrate an understanding of the necessity to evaluate software and hardware vendors in terms of their ability to supply and to provide post-supply support. |
| C | 3 | Demonstrate an understanding of the process of procuring hardware and software from vendors. |
| C | 4 | Demonstrate an understanding of the requirements necessary for designing and producing requests for proposal. |
| 1 | Software Requirements Evaluation |
| > | Advantages and disadvantages of Package Software | |
| > | Advantages and disadvantages of In-house Development or Third-party Development. | |
| > | Software Evaluation Techniques. | |
| 2 | Hardware Configuration Issues |
| > | Hardware Requirements. | |
| > | Hardware Configurations. | |
| > | Hardware Evaluation Techniques. | |
| > | Site Preparation Issues. | |
| 3 | Vendor Selection Criteria |
| > | The need to select Vendors carefully. | |
| > | Vendor Qualification Issues eg: | |
| -Ability to supply | ||
| -Ability to support | ||
| -Vendor longevity | ||
| > | Other issues eg: | |
| - Environmental | ||
| - Local versus Overseas Vendors | ||
| - Local Manufacturer Content | ||
| - Payment Terms | ||
| - Time to Supply | ||
| - Size issues affecting ability to supply and service. | ||
| - Terms of Maintenance Contracts, etc. | ||
| - Piecemeal purchasing versus integrated supply | ||
| 4 | Requests for Proposal |
| > | Design and content of RFPs. | |
| > | Response expectations, eg. | |
| -Completeness | ||
| -Warranties | ||
| -Deadline Guarantees | ||
| -Terms and Conditions | ||
| -Subcontracting | ||
| Note | ||
| > | This section (4) should be taught using examples of RFPs from live projects or examples based on real RFPs. | |