ITEC EXAM End of Chapter 8 9 11 12 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
Review Questions
1. What is meant by the application deployment environment? Why is it
important in the consideration of a development approach?
The application deployment environment consists of the computer hardware
(platforms) and operating systems that will support the application program. The new
application system may have to meet special design requirements to conform to the
restrictions of the operating system and the equipment.
2. Explain the difference between a centralized computer system and a
distributed computer system.
A centralized computer system is one where all of the processing and data files reside
in one central location, either on one computer or on a group of clustered computers.
A distributed system is distributed across several computers that may be physically in
widely dispersed locations.
3. Explain the difference between a clustered architecture and a
multicomputer architecture on a centralized processing system.
A clustered architecture is one where several computers of the same brand and
operating system work together as a single centralized computing environment. A
multicomputer architecture is similar, but the computers may be from different
manufacturers so that they cannot be as closely linked together.
4. What is a multitier network? What role does middleware play?
A multitier network is a network of computers that divide the support of a system.
One layer may be the user interface, another may be the business logic, and a third
may be the database. Middleware is that software that is used to integrate the various
layers together.
5. Explain the difference between the Internet, intranets, and extranets.
The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that communicate together via a
standard protocol called TCP/IP. An intranet is a network of computers within a
single organization but which communicate using the same protocol. An extranet is
an intranet that has been extended to a set of approved computers but that are outside
of the organization.
,ITEC EXAM End of Chapter 8 9 11 12 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
6. Explain the fundamentals of facilities management.
Facilities management is where an outside company takes over the complete data
processing responsibilities of an organization. This normally includes control of all
of the hardware, programs, and personnel.
7. Explain the difference between scope and level of automation.
Scope is determined by the list of functions that are included in a system. Level of
automation is the amount of computer sophistication and support provided for each
function.
8. What is meant by the build-versus-buy decision?
Build-versus-buy is the decision of whether to build a system from the ground up or
whether to buy a packaged solution.
9. Define a packaged solution. Explain what is entailed in the packaged solution
approach.
A packaged solution is an application program that has been built by a company that
specializes in providing computer software for a particular area such as a point-of-
sale system. In a strict packaged solution approach, an organization will buy the
package, install it and use it. In a modified approach, the organization may have to
modify the package to get it to fulfill the requirements.
10. What is meant by ERP? How does an ERP approach affect acquiring a
new solution?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and the basic philosophy is to take a
strategic enterprise-wide view of the organization in the planning of new systems.
ERP systems have components that support all major functions of a company in a
given industry. A complete ERP solution then will provide new systems to support all
functions of the company and new systems for individual departments are not needed.
11. What does outsourcing mean? How does it impact a project?
Outsourcing means hiring an outside company to provide specific services or
products. It is referred to as outsourcing because it is the purchasing of outside
source services that are usually performed by in-house personnel.
The range of outsourcing alternatives for any given project varies from none to
complete takeover. Various alternatives include: contract programmers, project
management services, facilities management, systems analyst contractors, purchase of
package system, and so forth.
,ITEC EXAM End of Chapter 8 9 11 12 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
12. Define benchmark. Why is it useful in selecting a new system?
A benchmark is the definition of standard performance criteria and then the
evaluation of a system against that benchmark. It is especially useful in the purchase
of a new system from and outside vendor. Since the system already exists, it can be
benchmarked against the existing system, against the industry average, or some other
identified criteria.
13. What is an RFP? Why is it developed at the end of the analysis phase instead
of at the beginning?
An RFP is a Request for Proposal. It is a document that describes in detail the
information needs and requirements for a new system. It is done at the end of an
analysis phase, even though it may be a mini-analysis phase, so that the requirements
can be described at a detailed level. The requirements need to be detailed so that the
vendor will know how to respond and price a proposal, and so that the requestor can
define specific criteria to see if the proposal meets the requirements. Otherwise a
proposal and evaluation are too vague, ambiguous with considerable risk of error.
14. What is the difference between general requirements, technical
requirements, and functional requirements?
General requirements define those requirements that have to do with the overall need,
but not specific to the automated system. Such things as the track record and
reputation of the vendor are considered general requirements.
Technical requirements are the technical constraints imposed on the system. These
include such things as response time, operating platform, and database system.
Functional requirements identify the specific business functions that must be provided
by the new system.
Thinking Critically
1. How can the Internet Protocol (IP) be used to develop application programs?
Currently there is a tremendous movement to develop systems both for Internet
commerce and internal systems based on TCP/IP.
HTML and the new XML, provide a standard communication protocol that can be
used for input and output of data. Programs that are similar to browsers in nature can
be written to read this type of data and format it into standard screens and reports.
Standard industry formats are being developed based on XML, which will permit
much more inter-communication between companies in the same industry. This
, ITEC EXAM End of Chapter 8 9 11 12 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
approach should greatly facilitate supply-chain-management and Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI) systems to be built.
Other issues with the development of electronic commerce systems include security,
stability, transaction volume, and audit trails. So even though systems are being built
based on TCP/IP, there are still a lot of issues to be resolved.
2. What are the advantages of purchasing a packaged solution? What are
the disadvantages or dangers?
Answers will vary widely, but should include most of the following
points. Advantages include:
• Cheaper
• Faster
• Possibility of being more comprehensive
• Support of experienced provider
• Less development risk
• Often comes with good training
Disadvantages include:
• Does not meet specific needs of the organization
• More risk in long term support without in-house skills
• System is similar to other organizations, so not for competitive
advantage systems
• Long term support may be expensive
3. What are the advantages of building a solution from the ground up? What
are the disadvantages?
Answers will vary but should include the following.
Advantages include:
• Building in-house expertise
• Developing a system that exactly fits the needs of the organization
• Developing a system that provides a competitive advantage
Disadvantages include:
• May take a long time to define and build from scratch
• May need special expertise that is difficult to find
• Development projects are usually higher risk than purchases
• Development is more expensive than purchase
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
Review Questions
1. What is meant by the application deployment environment? Why is it
important in the consideration of a development approach?
The application deployment environment consists of the computer hardware
(platforms) and operating systems that will support the application program. The new
application system may have to meet special design requirements to conform to the
restrictions of the operating system and the equipment.
2. Explain the difference between a centralized computer system and a
distributed computer system.
A centralized computer system is one where all of the processing and data files reside
in one central location, either on one computer or on a group of clustered computers.
A distributed system is distributed across several computers that may be physically in
widely dispersed locations.
3. Explain the difference between a clustered architecture and a
multicomputer architecture on a centralized processing system.
A clustered architecture is one where several computers of the same brand and
operating system work together as a single centralized computing environment. A
multicomputer architecture is similar, but the computers may be from different
manufacturers so that they cannot be as closely linked together.
4. What is a multitier network? What role does middleware play?
A multitier network is a network of computers that divide the support of a system.
One layer may be the user interface, another may be the business logic, and a third
may be the database. Middleware is that software that is used to integrate the various
layers together.
5. Explain the difference between the Internet, intranets, and extranets.
The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that communicate together via a
standard protocol called TCP/IP. An intranet is a network of computers within a
single organization but which communicate using the same protocol. An extranet is
an intranet that has been extended to a set of approved computers but that are outside
of the organization.
,ITEC EXAM End of Chapter 8 9 11 12 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
6. Explain the fundamentals of facilities management.
Facilities management is where an outside company takes over the complete data
processing responsibilities of an organization. This normally includes control of all
of the hardware, programs, and personnel.
7. Explain the difference between scope and level of automation.
Scope is determined by the list of functions that are included in a system. Level of
automation is the amount of computer sophistication and support provided for each
function.
8. What is meant by the build-versus-buy decision?
Build-versus-buy is the decision of whether to build a system from the ground up or
whether to buy a packaged solution.
9. Define a packaged solution. Explain what is entailed in the packaged solution
approach.
A packaged solution is an application program that has been built by a company that
specializes in providing computer software for a particular area such as a point-of-
sale system. In a strict packaged solution approach, an organization will buy the
package, install it and use it. In a modified approach, the organization may have to
modify the package to get it to fulfill the requirements.
10. What is meant by ERP? How does an ERP approach affect acquiring a
new solution?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and the basic philosophy is to take a
strategic enterprise-wide view of the organization in the planning of new systems.
ERP systems have components that support all major functions of a company in a
given industry. A complete ERP solution then will provide new systems to support all
functions of the company and new systems for individual departments are not needed.
11. What does outsourcing mean? How does it impact a project?
Outsourcing means hiring an outside company to provide specific services or
products. It is referred to as outsourcing because it is the purchasing of outside
source services that are usually performed by in-house personnel.
The range of outsourcing alternatives for any given project varies from none to
complete takeover. Various alternatives include: contract programmers, project
management services, facilities management, systems analyst contractors, purchase of
package system, and so forth.
,ITEC EXAM End of Chapter 8 9 11 12 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
12. Define benchmark. Why is it useful in selecting a new system?
A benchmark is the definition of standard performance criteria and then the
evaluation of a system against that benchmark. It is especially useful in the purchase
of a new system from and outside vendor. Since the system already exists, it can be
benchmarked against the existing system, against the industry average, or some other
identified criteria.
13. What is an RFP? Why is it developed at the end of the analysis phase instead
of at the beginning?
An RFP is a Request for Proposal. It is a document that describes in detail the
information needs and requirements for a new system. It is done at the end of an
analysis phase, even though it may be a mini-analysis phase, so that the requirements
can be described at a detailed level. The requirements need to be detailed so that the
vendor will know how to respond and price a proposal, and so that the requestor can
define specific criteria to see if the proposal meets the requirements. Otherwise a
proposal and evaluation are too vague, ambiguous with considerable risk of error.
14. What is the difference between general requirements, technical
requirements, and functional requirements?
General requirements define those requirements that have to do with the overall need,
but not specific to the automated system. Such things as the track record and
reputation of the vendor are considered general requirements.
Technical requirements are the technical constraints imposed on the system. These
include such things as response time, operating platform, and database system.
Functional requirements identify the specific business functions that must be provided
by the new system.
Thinking Critically
1. How can the Internet Protocol (IP) be used to develop application programs?
Currently there is a tremendous movement to develop systems both for Internet
commerce and internal systems based on TCP/IP.
HTML and the new XML, provide a standard communication protocol that can be
used for input and output of data. Programs that are similar to browsers in nature can
be written to read this type of data and format it into standard screens and reports.
Standard industry formats are being developed based on XML, which will permit
much more inter-communication between companies in the same industry. This
, ITEC EXAM End of Chapter 8 9 11 12 QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS 2022/2023
approach should greatly facilitate supply-chain-management and Electronic Data
Interchange (EDI) systems to be built.
Other issues with the development of electronic commerce systems include security,
stability, transaction volume, and audit trails. So even though systems are being built
based on TCP/IP, there are still a lot of issues to be resolved.
2. What are the advantages of purchasing a packaged solution? What are
the disadvantages or dangers?
Answers will vary widely, but should include most of the following
points. Advantages include:
• Cheaper
• Faster
• Possibility of being more comprehensive
• Support of experienced provider
• Less development risk
• Often comes with good training
Disadvantages include:
• Does not meet specific needs of the organization
• More risk in long term support without in-house skills
• System is similar to other organizations, so not for competitive
advantage systems
• Long term support may be expensive
3. What are the advantages of building a solution from the ground up? What
are the disadvantages?
Answers will vary but should include the following.
Advantages include:
• Building in-house expertise
• Developing a system that exactly fits the needs of the organization
• Developing a system that provides a competitive advantage
Disadvantages include:
• May take a long time to define and build from scratch
• May need special expertise that is difficult to find
• Development projects are usually higher risk than purchases
• Development is more expensive than purchase
