Deck 7: Development Strategies

Question 1

Some industry leaders predict that ____ computing will offer an overall online software and data environment supported by supercomputer technology.

A) interpolated
B) mainframe
C) outsourced
D) cloud

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Web-based software usually requires additional layers, called ____, to communicate with existing software and legacy systems.

A) freeware
B) shareware
C) middleware
D) public domain software

Answer 2

C

Question 3

When determining outsourcing fees, a ____ has a variable fee based on the number of users or workstations that have access to the application.

A) fixed fee model
B) usage model
C) subscription model
D) transaction model

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Although the traditional model of software acquisition still accounts for more software acquisition, a new model, called ____, is changing the picture dramatically.

A) Hardware as a Help
B) Software as a Service
C) Processing as a Product
D) Storage as a Solution

Question 5

The choice between developing versus purchasing software often is called a ____ decision.

A) build or make
B) subscription
C) transactional
D) build or buy

Question 6

Companies that develop software for sale are called software ____.

A) VARs
B) resellers
C) vendors
D) packages

Question 7

Oracle Corporation offers a service called ____, which provides e-business applications on a fixed fee basis.

A) WebSphere
B).NET
C) Business Process Outsourcing
D) Oracle On Demand

Question 8

A firm that offers outsourcing solutions is called a ____ provider.

A) subscription
B) software
C) service
D) resource

Question 9

Typically, companies choose in-house software development for all of the following reasons EXCEPT to ____.

A) minimize changes in business procedures and policies
B) meet constraints of existing systems and existing technology
C) develop internal resources and capabilities
D) obtain input from other companies who already have implemented the software

Question 10

Advantages of purchasing a software package over developing software in-house include all of the following EXCEPT ____.

A) satisfaction of unique business requirements
B) lower costs and less time to implement
C) proven reliability and performance benchmarks
D) less technical development staff

Question 11

____ is the transfer of information systems development, operation, or maintenance to an outside firm that provides these services, for a fee, on a temporary or long-term basis.

A) Outsourcing
B) Commission
C) Subscription
D) External provision

Question 12

When determining outsourcing fees, a ____ uses a set fee based on a specified level of service and user support.

A) fixed fee model
B) usage model
C) subscription model
D) transaction model

Question 13

A firm that enhances a commercial software package by adding custom features and configuring it for a particular industry is called a(n) ____.

A) BRE
B) IRH
C) OSP
D) VAR

Question 14

Some firms offer ____, which provide powerful Web-based support for transactions such as order processing, billing, and customer relationship management.

A) ASP
B) IBS
C) fixed usage
D) fixed-fee transfer

Question 15

A(n) ____ model is an outsourcing fee model that charges a variable fee based on the volume of transactions or operations performed by the application.

A) method
B) administrative
C) transaction
D) interpolated

Question 16

Microsoft's ____ is one of the major Web-based development environments.

A) WebSphere
B).NET
C) NetSphere
D).WEB

Question 17

Building an application in a ____ environment can offer greater benefits, and sometimes greater risks, compared to a traditional environment.

A) GUI
B) Web-based
C) cloud
D) multinational

Question 18

A software ____ is software that is obtained from a vendor or application service provider.

A) package
B) cluster
C) subscription
D) aggregate

Question 19

A(n) ____ is a firm that delivers a software application, or access to an application, by charging a usage or subscription fee.

A) ASP
B) OSP
C) ISP
D) USP

Question 20

The software that a company's IT department makes, builds, and develops is called ____ software.

A) in-house
B) internal
C) external
D) indexed

Question 21

A ____ is a value that the user enters whenever a query is run, which provides flexibility, enables users to access information easily, and costs less.

A) newsgroup
B) parameter
C) benchmark
D) default

Question 22

A user ____ utilizes standard business software, such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel, which has been configured in a specific manner to enhance user productivity.

A) application
B) configuration
C) interface
D) interpolation

Question 23

A ____ is a document that describes a company, lists the IT services or products needed, and specifies the features required.

A) request for quotation (RFQ)
B) net present value (NPV)
C) request for proposal (RFP)
D) return on investment (ROI)

Question 24

____, like that illustrated in the accompanying figure, produces an early, rapidly constructed working version of a proposed system.

A) Prototyping
B) Outsourcing
C) Coding
D) Benchmarking

Question 25

The physical design is developed during the ____ phase of the SDLC.

A) systems design
B) systems analysis
C) systems operation and support
D) systems planning

Question 26

A ____ measures the time a package takes to process a certain number of transactions.

A) newsgroup
B) parameter
C) benchmark
D) default

Question 27

Some data files should be totally hidden from view, while others should have ____ so users can view, but not change, the data.

A) no-access properties
B) read-only properties
C) full-access properties
D) write-only properties

Question 28

In combination, the powerful tools that systems analysts use to provide a framework for rapid, efficient software development, is called a ____ environment.

A) second-generation
B) third-generation
C) fourth-generation
D) fifth-generation

Question 29

In an approach called ____ prototyping, systems analysts use prototyping to verify user requirements, after which the prototype is discarded and implementation continues.

A) discard
B) design
C) trash
D) recycled

Question 30

Buyers can customize a software package by ____.

A) negotiating directly with the software vendor to make enhancements to meet the buyer's needs by paying for the changes
B) purchasing a basic package that vendors will customize to suit the buyer's needs
C) purchasing the software and making their own modifications, if this is permissible under the terms of the software license
D) all of the above

Question 31

Potential problems of prototyping include all of the following EXCEPT ____.

A) the rapid pace of development can create quality problems
B) some system requirements, such as reliability and maintainability, cannot be tested adequately
C) prototypes become unwieldy and difficult to manage in very complex systems
D) prototyping increases the risk and potential financial exposure that occur when a finished system fails to support business needs

Question 32

In addition to configuring software, an IT staff can create a user ____, which includes screens, commands, controls, and features that enable users to interact more effectively with the application.

A) montage
B) index
C) interface
D) package

Question 33

Reports that trace the entry of and changes to critical data values are called ____ and are essential in every system.

A) audit trails
B) protective pathways
C) backtracks
D) value tracks

Question 34

When planning a slide presentation to management at the end of the systems analysis phase, systems analysts should keep all of the following suggestions in mind EXCEPT ____.

A) summarize the primary viable alternatives
B) ignore time for discussion and questions and answers
C) explain why the evaluation and selection team chose the recommended alternative
D) obtain a final decision or agree on a timetable for the next step in the process

Question 35

Guidelines to follow when determining data entry and storage considerations include all of the following EXCEPT ____.

A) data should be entered into the system where and when it occurs
B) data should be verified when it is entered
C) data duplication should be encouraged
D) data should be entered into a system only once

Question 36

A ____ is a value that a system displays automatically.

A) newsgroup
B) parameter
C) benchmark
D) default

Question 37

Prototyping, like that illustrated in the accompanying figure, includes all of the following benefits EXCEPT ____.

A) users and systems developers can avoid misunderstandings
B) managers can evaluate a working model more effectively than a paper specification
C) system requirements, such as reliability and maintainability, can be rated adequately
D) systems analysts can develop testing and training procedures before the finished solution is available

Question 38

In a ____, the commands tend to resemble natural statements that people use.

A) 2GL
B) 3GL
C) 4GL
D) 5GL

Question 39

When companies use a ____, they already know the specific products or service they want and need to obtain price quotations or bids from vendors.

A) request for quotation (RFQ)
B) net present value (NPV)
C) request for proposal (RFP)
D) return on investment (ROI)

Question 40

System ____ produces a full-featured, working model of an information system.

A) prototyping
B) outsourcing
C) coding
D) benchmarking

Question 41

An ASP provides more than a license to use the software; it rents an operational package to the customer. _________________________

Question 42

By designing a system in-house, companies can develop and train an IT staff that understands the organization's business functions and information support needs.

Question 43

Net present value is a percentage rate that compares the total net benefits (the return) received from a project to the total costs (the investment) of the project. _________________________

Question 44

Which of the following is true of Web-based development?

A) Web-based software treats the software as a service that is more dependent on desktop computing powers and resources.
B) Web-based software usually requires middleware to communicate with existing software and legacy systems.
C) Web-based systems can run on multiple hardware environments.
D) When companies acquire Web-based software as a service rather than a product they purchase, they can limit in-house involvement to a minimum.

Question 45

Which of the following is a path that development can follow?

A) in-house development
B) construct a legacy system
C) purchase of a software package with possible modification
D) use of outside consultants

Question 46

The ROI of a project is the total value of the benefits minus the total value of the costs, with both costs and benefits adjusted to reflect the point at which they occur. _________________________

Question 47

The main reason for offshore outsourcing is the same as domestic outsourcing: lower bottom-line costs.

Question 48

Typically, customers purchase licenses that give them the right to use the software under the terms of the license agreement.

Question 49

Mergers and acquisitions typically have no impact on clients and customers of large, financially healthy firms.

Question 50

Building an application in a Web-based environment might involve greater risks and benefits, compared to a traditional environment.

Question 51

Compared to software developed in-house, a software package almost always is more expensive, particularly in terms of initial investment.

Question 52

Outsourcing can refer to ____.

A) relatively minor programming tasks
B) the rental of software from a service provider
C) the handling of a company's entire IT function
D) BPO

Question 53

A company considering outsourcing must realize that the solution can be only as good as the outsourcing firm that provides the service.

Question 54

A software package developed to handle information requirements for a specific type of business is called a horizontal application. _________________________

Question 55

A software package that can be used by many different types of organizations is called a vertical application. _________________________

Question 56

Mission-critical IT systems should be outsourced only if the result is a cost-attractive, reliable, business solution that fits the company's long-term business strategy.

Question 57

Which of the following is true of Web-based development?

A) Web-based systems are easily scalable.
B) Large firms tend to deploy Web-based systems as enterprise-wide software solutions for applications such as customer relationship management and order processing.
C) Internet-based development treats the Web as a communication channel, rather than as the platform.
D) Systems are developed and delivered in an Internet-based framework.

Question 58

A subscription model charges a variable fee based on the volume of transactions or operations performed by the application.

Question 59

Which of the following is true of a traditional systems development environment?

A) systems design is influenced by compatibility issues
B) systems are designed to run on local and wide-area company networks
C) systems often utilize Internet links and resources
D) scalability is not affected by telecommunications limitations and local networks

Question 60

In a traditional systems development environment, security issues usually are less complex than with Web-based systems, because the system operates on a private telecommunications network, rather than the Internet.

Question 61

____________________ determines how long it takes an information system to pay for itself through reduced costs and increased benefits.

Question 62

A request for quotation (RFQ) is less specific than an RFP (request for proposal).

Question 63

Empowerment makes an IT department less productive because it must spend more time responding to the daily concerns of users and less time on high-impact systems development projects that support strategic business goals.

Question 64

Some user applications have powerful ____________________ that allow users to design their own data entry forms and reports.

Question 65

Perhaps the most intense form of prototyping occurs when RAD methods are used.

Question 66

A system is maintainable if it is well designed, flexible, and developed with future modifications in mind.

Question 67

In most large and medium-sized companies, a(n) ____________________ within the IT department is responsible for providing user support.

Question 68

When selecting hardware and software, systems analysts often work as a(n) ____________________, which ensures that critical factors are not overlooked and a sound decision is made.

Question 69

A system is reliable if it adequately handles errors, such as input errors, processing errors, hardware failures, or human mistakes.

Question 70

A(n) ____________________ is a technique that uses a common yardstick to measure and compare vendor ratings.

Question 71

Software vendors regularly upgrade software packages by adding improvements and enhancements to create a new version or release.

Question 72

In an inventory database, vendor addresses should be stored with every part record.

Question 73

One disadvantage of prototyping is that the rapid pace of development can create quality problems, which are not discovered until the finished system is operational.

Question 74

The primary objective of an evaluation and selection team is to eliminate system alternatives that will not work, rank the system alternatives that will work, and present the viable alternatives to management for a final decision.

Question 75

If management decides to develop a system in-house, then the transition to the systems design phase ends.

Question 76

Many firms feel that in-house IT resources and capabilities provide a competitive advantage because an in-house team can respond quickly when business problems or opportunities arise.

Question 77

For desktop applications, software license terms and conditions usually can be modified.

Question 78

Companies that use commercial software packages always must increase the number of programmers and systems analysts on the IT staff.

Question 79

The decision to develop software in-house will require less participation from the systems analyst than outsourcing or choosing a commercial package.

Question 80

Whereas the logical design of an information system is concerned with how the system will meet requirements, physical design is concerned with what the system must accomplish.