DATABASE DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE - Database Design and Development: An Essential Guide for IT Professionals - page 112

dividing up the costs, you are not likely to omit any costs. Some items like database
software have an initial one-time cost to purchase the item and then ongoing cost
to maintain the item after implementation.
One-Time Costs Let us make a list of the common one-time costs. Although most
of the items on the list are standard for every database system, the project in your
organization may include a few new items. Review the list and adapt it to suit your
database system.
Hardware. Include all necessary upgraded servers—additional memory, storage,
and processor power. Add enhancements to client machines. Estimate additional
communication equipment and cabling. Use quotations from vendors to prepare
cost estimates.
Systems Software. Most of the time, later versions of existing operating systems
will be able to handle the requirements of a database system. Estimate version
upgrade. If your organization needs to go to another more robust operating
system, then systems software costs could be substantial. Also, include the costs
of any specialized utility tools such as backup programs or file reorganization
software.
Database Software. This is perhaps the largest portion of one-time costs, almost in
the same range as costs for major enhancements to hardware. Estimate costs for
database software by obtaining quotations from a few vendors of leading DBMSs.
Also, include cost of any necessary CASE tools in this category.
Communications Software. A database system in a distributed environment pre-
supposes a strong communications system. If this is the case for your organization,
allocate costs for upgrades to the existing network operating system or even for a
more sophisticated replacement that can control potential increase in communica-
tion traffic.
Training. Training costs relate to training any IT personnel being transferred to the
database project and to training other people from other departments suitable for
the project. It would cost more to train people from other departments, but these
training costs would offset recruitment costs if people would otherwise have to be
recruited from outside.
Recruitment. Include search and recruitment fees for getting qualified people for
the database project. People with specialized skills in database techniques and con-
cepts attract larger recruitment fees.
Studies. In addition to the initial feasibility study, other studies become necessary
in a database project. If your system needs elaborate data modeling because of its
enormous size, then you would need studies to assess and purchase a good CASE
tool. Another study may be warranted to select a new network operating system.
In all projects, a special study is needed for examining the options and selecting the
proper DBMS.