Why This Book Was Written

One approaches writing a business computing "advice" book with much trepidation.  After all, everyone has his or her opinion about computers, from loving them to hating them, to recommending this great program or that.  

The problem with most people's opinions is that they are self-justifying, that is, they reinforce the decisions that they made, and saving their own ego from the possibility that a poor decision might have been made (what the psychologist's call cognitive dissonance).  

In this book we have tried to avoid having opinions based on purchases we have made, but rather we focus on systematic techniques and comparative evaluation methods that will help you to make decisions that suit your organizations needs. 

The Business Computing Handbook: Solutions for Business is an invaluable reference for anyone upgrading an existing computer system or buying one for the first time. It includes sections about the following:

Systems Issues

• To Automate or Not to Automate?

• Understanding Your Business Needs 

• Learning About Information Technology

• Making Your Decision a Safe One

The Decision Process

• Management Plan

• Inventory of Needs

  • Hardware/Software

  • Process

  • Procedures

  • Forms

• Needs Assessment

• Specifications or a RFP?

• The Request for Proposal

• Competition and Evaluation of Vendor Proposals

• Contract Negotiation Strategies

• Negotiations and Contracts

• Prepooing for Installation

• The Implementation Process

Hardware Solutions

• Computer Components

• Computer Operations

• Operating Systems

• System Platforms

• Workstations

• Peripherals

• Choosing A Hardware System

• Computer Environment

• Health Impact of Computers

Software Solutions

• Software Fundamentals

• Off-the-Shelf Office Productivity Software

• Specialized Software Applications

• Custom Programming for Your Business

• Computer Languages

• Software Use From A Management Perspective

• Getting the Software Support You Need