Acquisition of the Application

The primary three options for acquiring an application are via: purchase, internal development or outsourcing. The appropriate method of acquisition for Global Web Developer is fairly straight forward. However, this analysis will consider how best to acquire the application in two different contexts: in the environment of today and in a hypothetical component and framework environment.

Today. Given the state of computer software now, it is most logical to acquire GWD through a combination of internal development and purchase of large-grain components. A DBMS and web server, currently available large-grain components, should be purchased and wrapped into GWD. The bulk of the code, however, ought to be developed internally. Outsourcing is not very practical considering that this will be the primary product of the company formed to produce it.

Component and framework environment. Assuming that highly useful large- to small-grain components are available on the software market, the logical method of acquiring GWD shifts only by degree. Outsourcing is still not a wise option for a new company with only one product they will have to support and improve. However, as many small-grain components which are valid for the application design could and should be purchased to minimize costs. The large-grain components (DBMS and web server) purchased previously would still be necessary. The overall internal code development burden would be lessened and might focus more on integrating the components together--writing custom components where commercially available equivalents are not available.

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