TECHNOLOGY MEASUREMENT AND THE APPRAISAL OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The dynamic nature of information technologies can prove troublesome to individuals given the responsibility for managing their acquisition and deployment. Not only is there a steady stream of new products, but existing products are periodically enhanced to reflect technical advances, competitors' actions, or both. The net result is that the general manager and the information systems manager alike face an overwhelming set of alternative product choices. This paper illustrates a relatively simple approach to technology measurement, a systematic procedure for assessing the state of the art of an industry. Technology measurement enables managers to better evaluate product choices. Given its generally high level of managerial awareness and interest, the microcomputer industry was selected as the vehicle for illustrating this approach to technology measurement.