The setting of effluent standards has been criticized as inefficient. Economists prefer a sliding tax based on the amount of effluent emitted. This method is preferable because, as effluent discharge increases, the tax increases, providing an incentive for entities to discover new methods of controlling pollution. Rather than dictating technology, the tax allows entities to seek out the technology that is the most cost effective.

The current investment is the present value of the given future amount. It equals the future amount multiplied by the factor for the present value of US $1 for four periods at 10%. Accordingly, the current investment is US $93,810.05$137,350 .6830).

Conducting an electronic meeting among several parties at remote sites is teleconferencing. It can be accomplished by telephone or electronic mail group communication software. Videoconferencing permits the conferees to see each other on video screens. The practice has grown in recent years as companies have attempted to cut their travel costs.

Organizations should maintain contingency plans for operations in the case of a disaster. These plans usually include off-site storage of important backup data and an arrangement for the continuation of operations at another location. A "cold site" has all needed assets in place except the needed computer equipment and is vendor-dependent for timely delivery of equipment.