Microcomputer selection process for organizational information management

This paper presents a selection model based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The methodology uses relevant organizational needs, required operational support categories, and respective attributes of the proposed systems in a selection hierarchy. Deriving a priority structure associated with this hierarchy permits the systematic comparison of candidate systems, and thereby selecting the one that best suits the organization. The application of this model to the selection of an accounting information system is described. The methodology outlined in this paper has been used in several large organizations (insurance and industrial corporations) for selection of their "standard micro" (or mini) computer systems. These systems were installed for various decentralized applications.