This paper explores the management decision to design and develop a new software system for controlling and managing satellite ground station equipment.

Areas to be examined include the old software architecture (old system), the new software architecture (new system), areas that typically change once a system has been fielded, the cost to modify the old system, the cost to develop the new system, the cost to modify the new system, and estimated payback projections for the new system.

An economic analysis of purchasing the I-Logix Rhapsody computer aided software engineering tool will be performed to determine if it will assist in lowering the overall development cost of the new system.

The old architecture is based on aging technology. This technology cannot take full advantage of distributed computing and network devices. It is complex to maintain and modify.

The new architecture is based on the latest technology. This technology takes full advantage of distributed computing and can support network devices. The new architecture will reduce the time to market, and it will reduce the cost of deployment.

It appears to be a sound decision to develop and implement the new architecture for both tangible and intangible reasons. The technologies promote the company as mainstream and progressive. The projected payback schedule shows the systems will be paid for in the early years of their expected life. And, the new architecture provides greater flexibility to gain market share.

Keywords:

Rhapsody, Java, CORBA, XML, IRR, economic, analysis, management, decision, distributed, computing, cost, effectiveness, software, development

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