Team Projects

Date /

Team

/ Assignment
Jan 17 / 1 / Chapter 2, Exercise 3
Jan 24 / 2 / Microsoft IIS vs. Apache web server SW
Jan 26 / 3 / Chapter 3, Exercise 1
Feb 2 / 4 / Web based procurement: Ariba and CommerceOne
Feb 5 / 5 / B2B Exchanges
Feb 9 / 6 / eBay Auction
Feb 12 / 7 / Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Feb 19 / ALL / GE Reverse auction simulation
Feb 23 / 1 / Commercial reverse auction sites
Feb 26 / ALL / Team Assessments due
Mar 21 / 2 / Chapter 7, Exercise 2
Mar 23 / 3 / Chapter 7, Exercise 3
Mar 30 / 4 / Chapter 8, Exercise 3
Apr 4 / 5 / Customer Relationship Management
Apr 9 / 6 / Security products
Apr 16 / 7 / Security products
Apr 18 / ALL / Team Assessments due

Each team presentation should last at least 30 minutes. The presentation must be created on a team member’s individual web page. A Web page should be created that contains all links utilized in your search and analysis. During your presentation, be sure to link (embed the URL in your presentation) to other Web sites to make relevant points, demonstrate functionality, point out Web site design, etc. Please email the URL of your presentation to the instructor on the day of the class prior to the scheduled due date. I may provide additional questions. If you do not have PSU web space, request it via the computer center web site right away. And if you are not familiar with Microsoft FrontPage, you may want to consider the optional text “Create FrontPage 2000 Web Pages In a Weekend”. Your individual points earned for the team projects will be based on the combination of the instructor’s assigned grade and the student team assessment that will be turned in February 26th and April 18th. Note: The only requirement for the team projects is a presentation (via your web site), many of the text book exercises call for a 300-500 word written report – this is not required.

January 17: Chapter 2, Exercise 3

In addition to the assigned problem, be sure to include the following points:

  1. Description of each internet connection choice
  2. Advantages and drawbacks of various connection options
  3. Include a satellite connection through a provider such as DSS
  4. Use the Web to locate current leasing costs (local providers where appropriate)
  5. Present a table comparing upstream and downstream transmission speeds
  6. Your recommendation to Mrs. Bruton

January 24: Microsoft IIS vs. Apache HTTP Server SW

The two most popular Web server software products are Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Server) and Apache HTTP Server. Your team project is to scour the Web and find out everything you can about these two products. Your presentation should include:

  1. Overview of web server functionality
  2. Describe a minimum of 6 features of each Web server
  3. Are there any advantages or disadvantages of these individual products?
  4. Indicate the computer platforms and operating systems on which each runs
  5. Identify at least 5 other companies that use both of the Web servers
  6. Include costs for the two products

January 26: Chapter 3, Exercise 1

Following the instructions for this problem per the book. Be sure to give your recommendation to utilize either an ISP or to build the Web site from the ground up. Do not bother to list URL’s (or compare features) of other sites specializing in gardening.

February 2: Web based procurement: Ariba and CommerceOne

e-Procurement solutions are providing corporations tremendous opportunities for productivity and cost reduction. Only the leading edge corporations are currently taking advantage of this new web enabled opportunity. The two leading vendors for e-Procurement solutions are CommerceOne and Ariba. Your job as the e-Sourcing leader for a leading corporation is to educate top level management on e-Procurement processes, potential benefits, and give an overview of the two industry leading products. Your analysis should review the “CommerceOne Buysite” and “Ariba Buyer” (or Ariba ORMX) solutions. A few useful links are:

  1. - Procurement automation whitepaper
  2. - CommerceOne BuySite white paper
  3. - Utilizes Ariba Buyer and catalog info

February 5: B2B Exchanges

Business-to-Business e-marketplaces that began the year (2000) with such promise are now approaching the beginning of 2001 nagged by doubts about long term viability. The concept of bringing buyers and sellers in a specific industry together for commerce, content, and community

  1. What is a market exchange?
  2. What are some of the benefits for both buyers and sellers?
  3. Differentiate between a vertical exchange and a horizontal exchange
  4. What are some of the business processes facilitated through an exchange?
  5. Review and demonstrate the functionality at VerticalNet
  6. Review the VerticalNet stock price and financials (at the VerticalNet site)
  7. Would you invest in VerticalNet? Why or why not?

There is a very good power point document at (Product Info)

February 9: eBay Auction

Utilizing eBay Consumer to Consumer auctions (C2C) is a terrific introduction to Web based auctions and prepares individuals for professional life Business to Business (B2B) auctions. You will be required to document and present the eBay selling process, auction parameters, and strategy. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate how to set up an eBay auction. Your assignment is as follows:

  1. Thoroughly review the eBay web site and most specifically the “Sell” services
  2. Document the selling process using a PFD
  3. Include setting up an eBay account, strategy, creating the auction, bidding, payment, and shipping the product
  4. Identify all different auction parameters and how you set up your auction
  5. Describe your strategy for auction start / end date, time, starting bid, did you use a reserve price, etc.
  6. Be prepared to demonstrate for the class how to set up a real auction
  7. Use good taste in selecting the item to sell – select a very inexpensive item
  8. Pre-register as a user, do not include this as part of the demo
  9. Upload a digital picture of your item
  10. Give a quick overview of “Seller Services”

February 12: Oracle 11i – Web Supplier

– Oracle 11i documentation

February 12: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Most business-to-business (B2B) systems are not stand-alone applications but instead, in some way, interface to back end legacy systems. The back end systems usually include an ERP system. It is therefore vital to have at least a high level overview of ERP system functionality and their associated generic modules. Your objective is to provide a high level overview of all modules in an ERP system and how they interface with each other. Be sure to present a graphical depiction of the interaction of key modules. I would like you to be more specific with the process steps and interfaces related to the Purchasing module.

February 19: GE Reverse auction simulation

On February 16th each of your teams will be assigned a business that will bid in an auction against the other class teams. Your business will have approximately 10 part numbers that you are bidding on in a reverse auction as a seller. Each part for your business will be assigned a specific fixed and variable cost structure. Your objective in the auction is for your business (team) to win the auction on as many of the 10 parts as possible while maximizing both your revenue and profits. Your team should study the company profile, auction parts, product costs, and come into the auction session knowing exactly how low you will bid on each part. Remember, it may be acceptable to take business at a loss on a few parts in order to cover your fixed costs.

February 23: Commercial reverse auction sites

Once again, you are the e-Sourcing leader for your company. Your goal is to compare two leading reverse auction engines. The first is FreeMarkets which positions itself more as an application service provider (ASP). Your business would utilize the FreeMarkets software and services to host their reverse auctions but would not purchase their software directly. The second company is Moai which is more of a traditional software vendor. Review the two vendor products and compare their features and services provided. Attempt to find out the pricing strategy for each company. What are the pros and cons of each vendor? Which of the two would you recommend and why?

March 21: Chapter 7, Exercise 2

In addition to the text book instructions, identify at least 2 other electronic cash providers not referenced in the text and identify some of the sites that accept them.

March 23: Chapter 7, Exercise 3

Microsoft no longer utilizes “Microsoft Wallet” in Internet Explorer 5.01, you will need to search for and use Microsoft’s replacement product.

March 30: Chapter 8, Exercise 3

April 4: Customer Relationship Management

Details of this project are TBD

April 9: Security Products

The vendors listed below are the dominant companies in each of the security areas specified. Search the company web sites and other related sites / articles and give an update on the security feature specified. Include a description of the security item and an overview of the company’s product.

  1. Enterprise Antivirus – Network Associates
  2. Firewalls – Check Point
  3. VPN (Virtual Private Networks) – Check Point
  4. Encryption – RSA Security

April 16: Security Products

The vendors listed below are the dominant companies in each of the security areas specified. Search the company web sites and other related sites / articles and give an update on the security feature specified. Include a description of the security item and an overview of the company’s product.

  1. Software-based PKI – Entrust
  2. Service-based PKI – VeriSign
  3. Intrusion Detection – AXENT or Symantec
  4. Authentication – RSA Security

Grading CTQ’s

  1. Content
  2. Presentation
  3. Organization
  4. Use of Web sites