Required information

E$7-6$ through E$7-9.$

$[$The following information applies to the questions displayed below.$]$

Morning Sky$,$ Incorporated $($MSI$),$ manufactures and sells computer games. The company has several product lines based

on the age range of the target market. MSI sells both individual games as well as packaged sets. All games are in CD

format, and some utilize accessories such as steering wheels, electronic tablets, and hand controls. To date, MSI has

developed and manufactured all the CDs itself as well as the accessories and packaging for all of its products.

The gaming market has traditionally been targeted at teenagers and young adults; however, the increasing affordability of

computers and the incorporation of computer activities into junior high and elementary school curriculums has led to a

significant increase in sales to younger children. MSI has always included games for younger children but now wants to

expand its business to capitalize on changes in the industry. The company currently has excess capacity and is

investigating several possible ways to improve profitability.

E$7-7($Algo$)$ Analyzing Make$-$or$-$Buy Decision $[$LO $7-2,7-4]$

MSI is considering outsourcing the production of the handheld control module used with some of its products. The company has

received a bid from Monte Legend Company $($MLC$)$ to produce $21,000$ units of the module per year for $$24\mathrm{.}00$ each. The following

information pertains to MSI's production of the control modules:

MSI has determined it could eliminate all variable costs if the control modules were produced externally, but none of the fixed

overhead is avoidable. At this time, MSI has no specific use in mind for the space that is currently dedicated to the control module

production.

Required:

Compute the difference in cost between making and buying the control module.

Should MSI buy the modules from MLC or continue to make them?

$3-$a$.$ Suppose the MSI space currently used for the modules could be utilized by a new product line that would generate $$29,000$ in

annual profit. Recompute the difference in cost between making and buying under this scenario.

$3-$b$.$ Does this change your recommendation to MSI?