S TEMPLATE A business requirements statement includes introductory informa- tion about the organization such as official corporate name, address, and contact information of the representative who will speak, act, or obtain approval to act or otherwise commit the organization to accept and arrange payment for goods and services. This introduction should also say something about the nature and mission of the organization. A 24/7 operation responsible for public safety, con- venience, and necessity has different requirements in terms of reli- ability and robustness than an 8 to 5, 5-day-a-week operation. While this kind of general information may not be specific, it rounds out the document and orients buyer and seller thinking. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS Laying out broad financial requirements establishes an awareness of the importance of managing operating cost and capital investment. Every organization has unique financial characteristics. Leasing equipment instead of buying may be preferred, or it could easily be the opposite, depending on the state of the organizations finances. Non-profit organizations are always open to donations of equipment and services and depending on the tax status of the supplier, it may be opportune for manufacturers and service providers to exchange goods and services for tax receipts. Details such as invoicing for payment of taxes, requirements for insurance, and a myriad of other terms and conditions included in standard purchase orders should be introduced as appropriate. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS Depending on organization and project size, design resources, budgets, and facilities management practices, natural divisions of responsibility may occur between facilities management, communi- cations, and computer work groups and require close collaboration and cooperation. Defining communications applications is a matter of considering the technical aspects and characteristics of equipment, facilities, and services needed to satisfy the business requirements. 6 DEFINING NETWORK APPLICATIONS 