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1. What would be your decision? Would you stick to the previously developed UNIX platform, or switch to the new Microsoft one?

Taken into consideration the new data available, the urgently loss reduction, and cost control, the redefinition of the market growth (AOL), and the impossibility to integrate the Unix platform (already proven) due to flaws from the design phase, as well as the easiness for integration, upgrade and small maintenance cost of the Microsoft platform, I would recommend to the group to go for the second (new) alternative.

2. Which are the most relevant criteria for you to make the decision?

For taken the above decision I was mainly concentrating on the information’s provided in the case:

-Imperative cost reduction and profit maximization on the short run

-Increased risk associated to the installment of the Unix platform which already was stalled and unsure due to mistakes in the design phase, which for sure lead to a another cost for customization and implementation

-Skepticism regarding the market analysis, as on this huge downturn we could not afford another mislead as was in the initial case with AOL

As well as the advantages of Windows platform:

Support: in this rapidly changing environment in terms of products, price decreases, technology advancement and development to benefit from the most up to date support, the latest upgrade packages, and take advantage of compatible hardware enhancements

Online services: The services and the way the company is showing his services and products is the image the costumers/clients perceive. The access time, features, presentation, easiness of use and security is critical for an Internet operation.

Reliability/ Maintainability: Need for 24/7 availability, which translates into maximum reliability and availability from both software services and hardware support.

Inter-operability: the majority of systems run on Microsoft platform, so the compatibility with the rest of your applications is higher.