A Comprehensive Methodology for Computer-Family Selection

Abstract

This paper presents a selection methodology for a computer-family. The proposed methodology incorporates the Analytic Hierarchy Process in the evaluation procedure and aims at helping organizations in selecting a family of computers from a manufacturer's product line, rather than a specific computer model. The practice of computer selection and the existing solutions for a computer-family selection procedure are briefly described. Then, Saaty's Analytic Hierarchy Process is presented and incorporated into the selection methodology. The result is a structured and comprehensive methodology that allows decision makers to rank the alternatives more objectively and select a computer-family that best fits the needs of the entire organization. Illustrative examples are embedded in the text to demonstrate the application of the various steps in the proposed methodology. (kr)