Fairfield Office Supplies Inc. has a regional chain of office supply stores in the Midwest. Fairfield is trying to compete with the large nationwide office supply companies. It is January of 2023 and Fairfield needs to make some capital budgeting decisions this year. They need to decide whether to replace their computerized inventory system or upgrade the old one, whether to purchase two stores from a sole proprietor or not, whether to keep, abandon or modernize one of the stores, which new copiers to purchases and a few other small projects. The company is under some pressure and has a strict capital budget of $10 million, so they need to be careful as to which projects they choose.

Book Value Balance Sheet for 12/31/22(all values in millions)
Assets	Liabilities and Net Worth
Cash and short-term securities $1.5	Bonds, coupon =9.5%, paid $15.0 Annually (maturity = 20 years, Current yield to maturity = 9.0%)
Accounts Receivable 3.0	Preferred stock (par value $4.5 4.5 Per share)
Inventories 6.0	Common Stock (par value $.5) 1.50
Plant and equipment 35	Additional paid in stockholders 6.00 Capital
	Retained Earnings 18.5
Total $45.5	Total $45.5

Years	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
Net Income (in millions)	5.11	4.80	4.40	4.10	3.90

Projects:

1. Replacement or upgrade of the computerized inventory system:

The current system is 3 years old, originally cost $1,100,000, is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over its five year life and has an estimated salvage value of $100,000. Although the system is being depreciated over 5 years, it could last for 5 more years. If the machine was sold today, it would be for $325,000.

The new system would cost $1,275,000, including installation costs, and would be depreciated on a straight-line basis over its five year life to a salvage value of $125,000. Fairfield spent $100,000 last year researching this new system. This new system would reduce cash operating costs by $310,000 per year. Inventory needs are expected to increase by $70,000 immediately due to the new system, but accounts payable will rise by $15,000. At the end of the life of this machine inventory and accounts payable will reverse. Both machines will be sold at their salvage value at the end of the five year project. Should the company recommend replacement or upgrade the system?