Options for Solution and Recommendation
After the initial investigations and scoping there are a few options available to providing the system to satisfy the requirements of Craggy Island Bookshop.

1. Off-the-Shelf:
The requirements of Craggy Island are of a commercial nature, this functionality is now commonly found in Commercially available applications. One option is to carefully analyse the requirement and determine the suitability of the off-the-shelf package. The pros of this option;
• If a suitable software can be identified, it is immediately available. There is no wastage of time on development.
• Software is usually very comprehensive and can cater for way more functionality than currently required. Because it is feature rich additional functionality could be already part of purchased software.
• Documentation and support is usually comprehensive
• The software is usually very stable
Cons for Off-the-shelf are;
• The software is designed for a large audience and functionality is generic, hence it will not be an exact fit to the business.
• Functionality is inflexible and usually business process may have to be adjusted to fit the software.
• Additional features are not easy to get.
• Generic nature of software makes it difficult to gain a competitive advantage.

2. Bespoke Software:
The second option is to develop a customized system from scratch. Bespoke systems offer the following advantages;
• Software is designed and developed to be an exact match to the requirements of the business
• Software is build from requirements and existing business processes, which makes it intuitive to use and provides the opportunity to make processes faster and more efficient.
• Because it is custom, a good bespoke system offers competitive advantages and competitors will not find it easy to replicate.
• Modifications and additions are easy to obtain via requests for new features. This means the software can evolve with the changes in business processes.
• Integration with other systems maybe easier because of flexibility.
• Availability of contracts with the developer ensures ownership of source code, support. These two are critical to the business beyond the life of the project.
The disadvantages of bespoke software are;
• They are relatively more expensive compared to off-the-shelf software. This requires a more comprehensive business justification exercise.
• The selection of a developer is crucial to the success of the project. A bad developer will lead to serious complications, unstable software and project failure.
• Requires user involvement in the development process as the developer establishes the requirements, designs and tests the system. (costs business time)
• Business continuity maybe depended on developer as support may end due to the developer going out of business.
• Requires careful management and discipline in following the selected Systems development methodology to ensure project success.
• Forward compatibility with other systems is difficult to manage and achieve

3. Customised Off-the-Shelf; (Commercial off-the-shelf)
This option allows for the mitigation of the cons Off-the-shelf and Bespoke software; we may be able to identify software that addresses 80% of the Craggy Island Bookshop’s requirements and functionality. Configurations and customizations can be used to achieve the other 20% of requirements not achieved out of box.
Customised off the shelf will have the advantage of less cost compared to bespoke software while achieving faster implementation. When compared to off-the-shelf it will be possible to address the less exact purpose fit and flexibility that off-the-shelf do not have out of box.

4. Open Source;
This option is increasingly becoming the most popular solution to software development. It provides many advantages of all the other options. Open source provides functional a wireframe software that can be developed quickly to provide the required functionality. It employs the use of modules, which can be put together to provide a comprehensive approach. The pros for open source include;
• Low costs because of its licensing system. Usually open and GPL nature. Software usually free and commercial support and further development available for a cost.
• Source code is available and the right to modify it makes it very customisable to fit needs of the business.
• Developed in a collaborative approach hence coupled with the availability of source code business continuity is not entirely dependant on developer.
• The right to redistribute code makes is easy to source extra code and functionality at little to no cost.
• Forward compatibility is easy.
• Integration with other system is inherently provided for in the design. In addition it is possible to develop custom integration with other systems.
The cons of open source are centred on lack of control meaning the system develops into many flavours as developers and contributors develop the software. In many cases different flavours (forking) of the same application offshoots. The core of the software is not proprietary hence no exclusive rights or competitive advantage can be achieved.