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ChaPter 1 • SyStemS, roleS, and develoPment methodologieS 7

MAC AppEAL

At home and in our visits to university campuses and businesses around the world, we’ve noticed
that students and organizations are increasingly showing an interest in Macs. Therefore, we thought
it would add a little bit of interest to show some of the Mac options available to a systems designer.
At the time we’re writing this book, about one out of seven personal computers purchased in the
United States is a Mac. Macs are quality Intel-based machines that run under a competent operating
system and can also run Windows, so in effect, everything that can be done on a PC can be done on
a Mac. One way to run Windows is to boot directly into Windows (once it’s installed); another is to
use virtualization, using software such as VM Fusion, which is shown in Figure 1.MAC.
Adopters of Macs have cited many reasons for using Macs, including better security built into
the Mac operating system, intelligent backup using the built-in Time Machine, the multitude of
applications already included, the reliability of setup and networking, and the ability to sync Macs
with other Macs and iPhones. The most compelling reason, we think, is the design itself.

Figure 1.MAC
Running Windows on a Mac using virtualization called VM Fusion. (Screenshot of Apple
Desktop. Reprinted with permission of Apple Inc.; Screenshot from YOJIMBO. Copyright
© 2012 by Bare Bones Software, Inc. Reprinted by permission; Screenshot from www
.thekendalls.org. Copyright © by Kenneth and Julie Kendall. Reprinted with permission.)

At this point in the SDLC, the systems analyst prepares a systems proposal that summarizes
what has been found out about the users, usability, and usefulness of current systems; provides cost–
benefit analyses of alternatives; and makes recommendations on what (if anything) should be done.
If one of the recommendations is acceptable to management, the analyst proceeds along that course.
Each systems problem is unique, and there is never just one correct solution. The manner in which a
recommendation or solution is formulated depends on the individual qualities and professional train-
ing of each analyst and the analyst’s interaction with users in the context of their work environment.

Designing the Recommended System
In the design phase of the SDLC, the systems analyst uses the information collected earlier to
accomplish the logical design of the information system. The analyst designs procedures for
users to help them accurately enter data so that data going into the information system are cor-
rect. In addition, the analyst provides for users to complete effective input to the information
system by using techniques of good form and web page or screen design.