Problem set in Planning the project

  

  1. Software project decision point.
    1. You need to determine an interest rate to       useselect an interest rate and explain why you think this number should       be used. Use it in your calculations in item 1.2.
    2. Given the information below on options 1 and 2,       carry out three forms of analysis: breakeven, ROI, and NPV.
    3. Make a recommendation on which way to proceed,       based on the TCO for each option.
  • Option 1: Purchase the FunSoft package: Cost      $200,000 for software and $85,000 for hardware in year one; with $50,000      to customize it and a $40,000 annual licensing fee for the life of the      contract. There will be an annual saving of $61,000 due to the layoff of a      clerk.
  • Option 2: Purchase the SoftComm package, which      will operate on the vendors hardware: Cost $250,000 for a five-year      license, payable half up front and half during the first year of      implementation. The maintenance contract, at $75,000 a year, includes all      currently identified modifications to the software for the first three      years. The clerks hours will be cut by half, for a saving of $25,000 a      year.

In both cases, sales are expected to increase from the current $1 million a year, by 10% per year each year (over each years previous years sales) after full implementation.

Assume a five-year life for the software.