Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology

School of Management Sciences

Critical Thinking and Expository Writing – HM 102
Spring 2024

Student Name: Muhmmad Ahmad Reg No: 2023357 Section: A

Q#1 – Recommendation Report
In this worksheet, you will practice writing a recommendation report based on the table of comparison below.

Scenario:

The XYZ Company is a large manufacturing firm that produces various products for different industries. The company
has been using the same accounting software for over 10 years and has been experiencing some issues with it, such as
slow performance, frequent errors, and lack of support. The company’s management has decided to replace the old
software with a new one that can meet its current and future needs. The purpose of this recommendation report is to
compare three potential accounting software options and suggest the best one for the company. The audience for this
report is the company’s chief financial officer (CFO), who will make the final decision on which software to purchase.

Criteria QuickBooks Pro0 Sage 50cloud Zoho Books-1

Has all the basic features and
functions that the company needs
Functionality for its accounting operations; may
not support some industry-
specific requirements
Has all the basic features and
functions that the company needs
for its accounting operations; can
be customized and scaled to meet
specific requirements
Has some of the basic features and
functions that the company needs for
its accounting operations; lacks some
advanced features such as inventory
management and tax compliance

Easy to use and learn; has a user-
friendly interface and clear
Usability
instructions; offers online
tutorials and support
Easy to use and learn; has a user- Easy to use and learn; has a user-
friendly interface and clear friendly interface and clear
instructions; offers online tutorials instructions; offers online tutorials
and support and support

Compatible with most hardware and

Compatible with most hardware Compatible with most hardware software systems; requires a reliable
Compatibility and software systems; requires and software systems; requires a internet connection; may have
regular updates and maintenance reliable internet connection compatibility issues with some third-
party applications

Has adequate security measures

Has high security standards to Has adequate security measures to
to protect data and transactions;
protect data and transactions; uses protect data and transactions; may
Security may have security vulnerabilities
encryption and authentication have security risks due to its web-
due to its popularity and
methods based nature
widespread use

Affordable price ($299.95 per More expensive than QuickBooks

Low cost ($90 per year); lower price-
Cost year); reasonable price- Pro ($465.95 per year); higher
performance ratio
performance ratio price-performance ratio
Recommendation Report

 Introduction
o Topic and background of the report
The XYZ Company, a leading manufacturing firm, has been facing challenges with its outdated accounting software, including

slow performance, errors, and lack of support. To address these issues, this report aims to evaluate and recommend the best

accounting software among three potential options. This recommendation is vital for optimizing accounting operations and

ensuring future scalability Problem or opportunity statement Company's current accounting software is no longer meeting its

operational needs due to performance issues and lack of support. This presents an opportunity to upgrade to a more efficient and

reliable solution that aligns with the company's requirements.

o Purpose and objectives of the report

The purpose of this report is to analyze three accounting software options—QuickBooks Pro, Sage 50cloud, and Zoho

Books—and recommend the most suitable one based on specific criteria. The objectives include assessing functionality,

usability, compatibility, security, and cost of each software to aid the CFO in making an informed decision.

o Overview of the structure and organization of the report

The report will begin by outlining the evaluation criteria used for comparison, followed by a detailed description of each

software option, including features, benefits, drawbacks, and costs. It will then present a comparative analysis of these

options based on the established criteria. Finally, a recommendation will be made, supported by rationale, and potential

limitations will be addressed.

 Criteria

o Description and explanation of the criteria for evaluating and comparing the alternatives

The evaluation criteria for comparing the accounting software options is based on the following :

 Functionality

 Usability

 Compatibility

 Security

 Cost

On these terms all the three software are compared and evaluated.

o Indication of how each criterion is measured or assessed.

 Alternatives

o Presentation and description of each alternative for solving the problem or seizing the opportunity.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

o Information about the features, benefits, drawbacks, costs, etc. of each alternative

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

o Source of information for each alternative

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Comparison

o Comparison and contrast of each alternative based on the criteria

The comparison will involve assessing each software against the criteria, highlighting strengths and weaknesses through

data, examples, and possibly illustrative visuals like tables or charts.

o Data, facts, evidence, examples, calculations, etc. to support the comparison

To support the comparison of accounting software options for XYZ Company, we'll provide detailed evidence and facts
based on the established criteria.
 QuickBooks Pro: While QuickBooks Pro offers adequate security measures, its widespread use and popularity
may make it more susceptible to security vulnerabilities. Regular updates and data protection practices are
essential to mitigate risks .

 Sage 50cloud: Sage 50cloud prioritizes security with high standards, including data encryption, user
authentication, and secure cloud storage. It provides robust protection against cyber threats and unauthorized
access .

 Zoho Books: Zoho Books implements adequate security measures to protect data and transactions. However, its
web-based nature may pose inherent security risks associated with online platforms .
  Recommendation

o Summary of the comparison and statement of the recommendation

Based on the evaluation, Sage 50cloud is recommended for XYZ Company. Despite being more expensive than

QuickBooks Pro and Zoho Books, Sage 50cloud offers robust functionality, high security standards, and scalability that

align with the company's needs. The investment in Sage 50cloud is justified by its ability to support future growth and

customization.

o Explanation of why the recommended alternative is the best one for the situation and how it meets the criteria

Sage 50cloud emerged as the optimal choice due to its comprehensive functionality, strong security measures, and

customization options, which will address current and future needs of XYZ Company.

o Mention of any limitations or risks of the recommendation and how to overcome or mitigate them

Although Sage 50cloud is more expensive, its benefits outweigh the costs, especially considering long-term scalability

and security enhancements.

 Conclusion

o Summary of the main points and findings of the report

In summary, upgrading to Sage 50cloud is recommended to address the limitations of the current accounting software.

This decision will optimize operations, enhance security, and support future growth at XYZ Company. This report
provides a comprehensive analysis of accounting software options and outlines the rationale for selecting Sage 50cloud as

the most suitable choice. Future considerations include ongoing support and potential integration with other business

systems.

o Restatement of the purpose and objectives of the report

 The purpose of this report is to evaluate and recommend the most suitable accounting software solution for
XYZ Company, a manufacturing firm experiencing challenges with its current software. The objectives of the
report are as follows:

 Assessment of Criteria: To define and apply specific criteria for evaluating accounting software options,
including functionality, usability, compatibility, security, and cost.
 Comparison of Alternatives: To analyze and compare three potential accounting software options—
QuickBooks Pro, Sage 50cloud, and Zoho Books—based on the established criteria.
 Recommendation: To recommend the best accounting software solution that aligns with the needs and
objectives of XYZ Company, considering factors such as scalability, security, and value proposition.
 Rationale and Justification: To provide a detailed explanation of why the recommended software solution,
Sage 50cloud, is the optimal choice for addressing the identified challenges and requirements of XYZ
Company.
 Risk Mitigation: To acknowledge potential limitations or risks associated with the recommendation and
propose strategies for mitigating these risks effectively.

o Highlight of the key results and recommendations

Sage 50cloud offers the best solution to optimize operations, enhance security, and support future growth for XYZ

Company. Proactive risk management will ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of implementing Sage

50cloud.

o Implications or suggestions for future actions or research

Implementing these actions will maximize the benefits of Sage 50cloud adoption, ensuring sustained growth, efficiency,

and competitiveness for XYZ Company in the dynamic business environment. Continuous improvement and optimization

of software usage will empower XYZ Company to achieve strategic goals and excel in its industry.