To all,

In taking up a challenge from my good friend Alfredo, here are a few of
the
categories which I feel need to be looked at in deteremining what
constitutes
your ROI.  As always, YMMV based on what you do at your organization.

Obviously, the first cost looked at is hardware, replacement and
maintenance, from development
and production.  Next is software and related tools, i.e., database,
inquiry tools, reporting,
compilers, etc.  Other items include, but not limited to storage
transitions, designing
for High Availability and Disaster Recovery, network infra-structure
changes to support
your new application of choice, converting your source code, although
several new tools
make this considerably easier than when the new HP Spectrum processors
where fighting
IBM's in the late 80's, IT staff re-training, employee re-training,
FUNDING the project,
business process changes and the costs associated with them, the impact of
government
regulations, and lastly choosing a vendor you can TRUST.  All of these
issues deserved
to be discussed and examined if you truly want to determine your bottom
ROI.

The opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employers.

Chuck Ciesinski
Hughes Network Systems
11717 Exploration Lane
Germantown, MD  20876
p  301 601 2608
f   301 601 6303
email  [log in to unmask]
"The joy of life is living it..."  unknown