Client/Server Applications Information Request

Client/Server Applications Information Request __________________________________________________________ Segment: Financial and Manufacturing Overview: The following survey is part of a York University MBA project to study the growth and strategic issues with respect to the client/server applications industry in Canada and the United States. We therefore would appreciate the input of industry experts, such as yourself, to allow us a better understanding of the C/S industry. All responses will remain anonymous. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Background Information: 1. What is your role in the company? 2. What services, products, etc. does your company provide? 3. What is the importance placed on the implementation of a C/S application as a success factor of your company? Range 1 - 10. 4. Approximate the capital expenditure of the company on C/S applications and future applications in the next 5 years? 5. What are the existing application systems used in your company? Industry Information: 1. Who are the players in the C/S applications market and what are their estimated market share? Applications: Market Share: a) Oracle ___________ b) Peoplesoft ___________ c) Dun & Bradstreet Software ___________ d) Computer Associates ___________ e) SAP ___________ f) Platinum Software ___________ g) SQL Financials ___________ h) Hyperion (IMRS) ___________ i) Other ___________ j) Other ___________ 2. What are the attributes of the dominant players? - industry specific knowledge - research budgets - installation base - other? 3. What are the barriers to becoming a dominant player? - knowledge base - investment capital - other? 4. What time period do you see as the life of a dominant player and why? 5. What companies are failing in this industry and why? 6. What companies are succeeding and why? 7. Who will be the next dominant player? 8. What criteria are important to you when choosing a vendor? a) Continual technical support. b) References from other implementations. c) After sales services - future releases, etc. d) Other? 9. Has your company implemented an application system? a) Which system? b) What was the company's experience with respect to the following: - Cost of software - Cost of consulting - Ease of training - Reliability - Support - Users acceptance Application Information: 1. What criteria is your company using to evaluate the purchase and implementation of a client/server application? a) Ease of interfacing with existing systems and databases. b) Match existing business systems - mainframe, LAN, WAN, etc. c) Other. 2. Are you using a system of choosing the best of every application and interfacing them? a) Are the benefits worth the implementation cost of interface and continual support? b) Do you have continuous problems with systems crashing because of poor interfacing. 3. What applications would you recommend for the following companies? Why? a) Petroleum company b) Computer company c) Drug or Medical company d) Retail store chain e) Government institution f) Automotive manufacturer g) Architectural Firm h) Computer consulting company i) Toy manufacturer j) Cosmetic company k) Other? Conclusion: 1. What are the growth areas of this industry? 2. What are the existing areas in the industry that needs improvement? 3. Any other prevalent issues? _______________________________________________ Please e-mail all responses to snqs@YorkU.CA. Once again thank you for your assistance. Stephen ...