A comprehensive methodology for computer family selection

This article presents a selection methodology for a computer family. The proposed methodology incorporates the analytic hierarchy process into the evaluation procedure and helps organizations select a family of computers from a manufacturer's product line, rather than a specific computer model. The practice of computer selection and the existing solutions for a computer family selection procedure are briefly described. Then, Saaty's analytic hierarchy process is presented and incorporated into the selection methodology. The result is a structured and comprehensive methodology that allows decision makers to rank the alternatives more objectively and select a computer family that best fits the needs of the entire organization. Illustrative examples demonstrate the application of the various steps in the proposed methodology.