A Methodology for the Design of Distributed Information Systems

A macro model of a distributed information system in presented. The model describes the major costs of using an information system from the perspective of the end-user. The model is intended to provide guidance to the system designer by making evident the effect of various design and operating parameters on overall cost per transaction. The technique is illustrated by application to the design of an interactive transaction processing system. © 1979, ACM. All rights reserved.