(b) | A company intends to acquire application software to support their operations. Outline four factors, other than cost, they should consider when selecting the software. (4 marks)November 2022 November 2022 (i) Describe bus network topology. (2 marks)November 2022

1. Compatibility: The company should consider the compatibility of the software with their existing hardware and software. They should ensure that the new software will work seamlessly with their current systems and that it can be integrated with their current workflows.
2. Scalability: The company should consider the scalability of the software, whether it can accommodate the company’s growing needs and future expansion. They should choose software that can easily adapt to their current and future requirements.
3. User-friendliness: The company should consider the user-friendliness of the software and how easy it is for their employees to learn and use it. They should choose software that is intuitive and easy to navigate, and that does not require extensive training.
4. Technical support: The company should consider the level of technical support available for the software. They should choose software that offers reliable and responsive technical support, so that they can quickly resolve any issues that may arise.
5. Security: The company should consider the security features of the software and whether it meets their security needs. They should ensure that the software has the necessary security features to protect the company’s data and resources from unauthorized access.

(i) Bus network topology is a type of network topology in which all devices are connected to a single central cable, called the bus. The bus serves as the backbone of the network, to which all devices connect and communicate through. Data is transmitted along the bus in both directions and all devices connected to the bus can access the data. Bus topology is simple and easy to set up, but it has a single point of failure and limited scalability.