A recently completed feasibility study to upgrade XYZ's computer system shows the following benefits. Compensation figures in parentheses include wages, benefits, and payroll taxes

1. Production
a.

Market forecasts, which take two $400 person-days a month, will be more accurate with software making the calculations.
b. Effective inventory control will prevent part stockouts and reduce inventory by $1,000,000. XYZ's cost of capital is 20%.
c. Detailed evaluations of plan changes will increase production flexibility, reduce sales losses, and eliminate two clerks ($75,000 each).
2. Engineering
a. Computerized updating of bills of material and operations lists will save 40% of an engineer's ($100,000) and 25% of a clerk's ($60,000) time.
b. Computerized calculations of labor allocations, rates, and bonus details will save 40% of a clerk's ($80,000) time.
3. Sales. Improved reporting will enable the five-person sales staff to react more quickly to the market, producing a $10,000 per person sales increase.
4. Marketing. Revised reports and an improved forecasting system will increase net income by $50,000.
5. Accounting
a. Quickly determining new product costs will save 30% of the accountant's ($100,000) time.
b. An incentive earnings system will save 40% of the payroll clerk's ($60,000) time.

As a board member, which of the benefits can you defend as relevant to the system's cost justification? Calculate how much XYZ will save with the new system.

Acceptable Items: Cost Savings
1 (a) More accurate market forecasts with software making the calculations reduces costs $ 9,600 ($400/day * 2 days/month * 12 months
1 (b) Effective inventory control reduces inventory by $1,000,000, allowing company to reduce carrying costs and earn money on freed up capital $200,000 (20% * $1,000,000)
1 (c) Eliminating 2 clerks saves money
Improved flexibility and reduced sales losses hard to incorporate into cost justification. $150,000 (2 * $75,000)
2 (a) Computerized updating of bills of materials and operations lists saves money $ 40,000 (40% of $100,000)
$ 15,000 (25% of $60,000)
2 ( b) Computerized calculations of labor allocations, rates, and bonus details saves money $ 20,000 (40% of $80,000)
5 (a) Quickly determining new product costs will save money $ 30,000 (30% of $100,000)
5 (b) An incentive earnings system will save money. $ 24,000 (40% of $60,000)
Rejected Items:
3 Sales increases hard to incorporate into cost justification due to lack of support for vague estimates.
4 Benefits of revised reports and improved forecasting system hard to incorporate into cost justification due to lack of support for vague estimates.
TOTAL SAVINGS $488,600