Invoicing Software for Columbia Sand & Gravel Mark Allen, owner and operator of Columbia Sand &…

Invoicing Software for Columbia Sand & Gravel

Mark Allen, owner and operator of Columbia Sand & Gravel, has asked you for advice on how to select a new software invoicing package for the company. Due to several large construction projects and subdivision developments, Columbia has grown in recent years, and needs to replace its soon-to-be-obsolete computer billing system. The existing software runs on an older PC system and was purchased more than 12 years ago. Although Mark is still very pleased with the features of the company’s existing billing system, the hardware and software no longer have the capacity and speed to process invoices and record payments for

Columbia’s client base. Unfortunately, the company that sold the software to Mark is no longer in business, so an upgrade of the existing system is not an option. Mark is aware of two software companies, Digital Rock and Extractasoft, that sell vertical market invoicing applications specifically tailored for use in the sand and gravel industry. Both companies claim to have the best-selling software available for sand and gravel invoice applications.

Mark is also aware that his company will have to purchase new hardware to run the selected software. In recent years, Columbia Sand & Gravel has developed a good working relationship with Modular PC, a local company that sells and services computer hardware. The owner of Modular PC is a close personal friend of Mark’s, but Modular PC does not sell invoicing software as specialized as Mark needs. Although Mark has already decided to purchase the computer hardware from Modular PC, and is ready to cut a purchase order for it, he wants an outside perspective to help evaluate the software products. Using what you have learned in this chapter as well as the information described above, write a letter to Mark in which you:

1. Describe any problems you have identified with the approach Columbia plans to take in the selection of replacement hardware and invoicing software, as described earlier.

2. Outline your suggestions for the hardware and software product evaluation approach and the selection criteria you would recommend to Columbia Sand & Gravel.