1. Software project decision point.
   1. You need to determine an interest rate to use—select an interest rate and explain why you think this number should  be used. Use it in your calculations in item 1.2.
   2. Given the information below on options 1 and 2,       carry out three forms of analysis: breakeven, ROI, and NPV.
   3. Make a recommendation on which way to proceed,       based on the TCO for each option.

• Option 1: Purchase the FunSoft package: Cost      $200,000 for software and $85,000 for hardware in year one; with $50,000      to customize it and a $40,000 annual licensing fee for the life of the      contract. There will be an annual saving of $61,000 due to the layoff of a      clerk.
• Option 2: Purchase the SoftComm package, which      will operate on the vendor’s hardware: Cost $250,000 for a five-year      license, payable half up front and half during the first year of      implementation. The maintenance contract, at $75,000 a year, includes all      currently identified modifications to the software for the first three      years. The clerk’s hours will be cut by half, for a saving of $25,000 a      year.

In both cases, sales are expected to increase from the current $1 million a year, by 10% per year each year (over each year’s previous year’s sales) after full implementation.

Assume a five-year life for the software.