Taurus Stampings Inc., a metal stampings business had finally acquired enough capital to invest in a much-needed computer system to automate its operations. The administrative and materials manager was asked to recommend whether the company should purchase a software package or have custom software developed. The current processes had to be analyzed, needs identified, and criteria established to evaluate the options.

The chief financial officer (CFO) of Enerline, a Canadian pipeline liner company, had to re-evaluate an earlier decision to outsource all information system services to an online application service provider (ASP). Since signing a three-year contract with an ASP, the ASP had faltered financially, and was acquired by a California company. In the meantime, Enerline was growing rapidly and expanding services, and was increasingly dependent on information .....more