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CASE 9: DEMONSTRATING HOW TO BUILD WEB SITES
With HTML
Page 295
THE ISSUE
Using information from various Web sites, create a presentation concerning (1) how to write HTML
THE TECHNOLOGY
HTML.doc (a list of Web sites for writing HTML code) and DESIGN.doc (a list of Web sites for
A PRE-ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION
students to search the Web for other resources. There are literally thousands out there.
THE ANALYSIS
Most of your students will enjoy this project, especially those who are or want to start building Web
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CASE 10: MAKING THE CASE WITH PRESENTATION GRAPHICS SOFTWARE
Information Technology Ethics
Pages 296
THE ISSUE
Using the information provided and any other pertinent information, create a presentation on any
one of the following topics:
THE TECHNOLOGY
A Word processing software for reading the file with the list of Web resources, ETHICS.DOC, and
presentation graphics software, such as PowerPoint, for developing the actual presentation.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
A file called ETHICS.doc contains a list of Web-based resource materials. However, students will
have no problem finding resources on the Web themselves using any search engine. In fact, there
will likely be too much information rather than too little.
THE ANALYSIS
• Your students will likely have very varied presentations.
• The assignment description in the text gives some principles that students should follow to have
good presentations, for example:
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CASE 11: BUILDING A WEB DATABASE SYSTEM
Web-Based Classified System
Pages 297
THE ISSUE
Gabby’s Gazetteer, a medium size community newspaper in central Colorado is looking to enter into
THE TECHNOLOGY
The DBMS software of your choice. No student data file is provided for this project.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
1. This system should also allow users to do some very basic administrative tasks, such as:
• Browse the listings to see what is for sale
2. Any user who is trying to buy an item can:
3. Any user who is trying to sell an item can:
• Place a new item for sale
A PRE-ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION
All of the above information is important. You should alert your students to the fact that this is the
THE ANALYSIS
With only a single report and a list of integrity constraints, your students must build the correct
GP – 24
The E-CLASSIFIED SOLUTION Access file demonstrates our implementation of the database.
As you take your students through our solution, you might want to make note of the following:
• The E-R diagram (click on Relationships… under Tools on the Main Menu in Access).
• The SALE QUERY we created to gather all the necessary information for a report.
• The WinningBid field in the Sale table is actually the BidID field from the Bid table. Therefore,
students can not enforce referential integrity with this relationship.
If you want the students to produce a report, we have provided a sample for you with a few
suggestions:
Encourage your students to read and explore Extended Learning Module C Designing Databases and
GP – 25
CASE 12: CREATING A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM
Buy versus Lease
Pages 298
THE ISSUE
On the Vine Grapes wants to expand its delivery fleet to increase its reach to market but are unsure
THE TECHNOLOGY
Spreadsheet software and a spreadsheet file, BUYORLEASE.xls, that contains a template of the
information needed and some rough pre-calculations to develop the summary sheet.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
• 2004 Ford F-550 4×2 SD Super Cab 161.8 in. WB DRW HD XLT – retail price of $34,997.00 or a
lease price for $600/month through Ford Motor Credit Company.
1. Lease Costs
• Refundable Security Deposit $500
• First Month’s Payment at Inception $500
2. Purchase Costs
• Is the gross loaded weight of the vehicle over 6,000 lbs? Yes
3. Common Costs and Assumptions
• Total Lease/Loan Term 36
A PRE-ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION
THE ANALYSIS
• Our advice: Generally, buy a vehicle.
• Here are some tips to remind students as they solve this project:
o Lease advantages:
1. Low down payment and monthly payments
o Lease disadvantages:
1. You’ll pay more over time
4. Parking dings and coffee stains will cost you when you return the vehicle
5. Insurance premiums will be higher if you lease a nicer car than you would buy
• Have students think about financing a car over 3 years or less. Why? The years when you have
no car loans are the ones in which you can significantly improve your financial situation.
However, many people never manage to get out from under their car loans. If you can‘t afford to
pay for a car over 3 years or less, you should buy a less expensive car.
The BUYORLEASE SOLUTION Excel file demonstrates how we arrived at the above solution. In the
Excel solution file, you will find four worksheets:
CASE 13: DEVELOPING AN ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEM
Planning, Reporting, and Data Processing
Pages 299
THE ISSUE
The Higher Educational System of Colorado needs assistance in organizing the information
developed from the State Annual Report on Enterprise Resource Planning and Management. More
THE TECHNOLOGY
Spreadsheet software and a spreadsheet file, COLORADOHIGHERED.xls, which contains data for
fiscal year 2003-2004 and 2004-2005.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
• UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE – Name of the Institution
• TYPE – Type of Institution; P4Y = Public 4-Year, NP2-4Y = Non-Public 2 or 4 Year, P2Y = Public
2-Year
• REGULAR PERSONNEL – Salary and benefits
• OPS STAFF – Non-career service employees with no permanent status
A PRE-ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION
• Considering the type of analysis to be performed, all the information is important
THE ANALYSIS
• The first step for your students is to create a summary analysis describing an increase or
decrease in percentage between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005.
• From that analysis, students should then be able to calculate the percentage of DPS (Data
Processing Services) from the overall budget for each institution.
• A pivot chart should be created which quantifies the overall DPS as it relates to the type of
1. An internal baseline should be used to set goals and measure progress, as well as identify
economies of scale and related opportunities.
3. An integrated process and management model that establishes overall strategies for
improved performance and a quantitative way of justifying initiatives
The COLORADOHIGHERED SOLUTION Excel file demonstrates how we performed our analysis. In
the Excel solution file, you will find seven worksheets. They are:
Projects – Group Projects: Electronic Commerce Projects
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• 2004-2005 – raw data
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CASE 14: ASSESSING A WIRELESS FUTURE
Emerging Trends and Technology
Pages 300
THE ISSUE
As the wireless market sector grows, software and information companies are beginning to evolve
their products and services. Wireless mobility and associated functionality provide new market
THE TECHNOLOGY
A browser for reading the file with the list of Web resources. Presentation graphics software for
developing the actual presentation.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Using the list of wireless solution providers and manufactures provided in a file called
WIRELESS.htm, students are to select at least two developers and create a presentation that will
emphasize the following topics:
1. What are the current products or services under development?
2. What is the target market for that product or service?
3. What are the key features that product or service will bring to the wireless industry?
4. Which provider/manufacture/developer seems to be the first to market with its product?
5. How is the wireless product or service content being delivered?
6. Are the products or services able to deploy interactive multimedia applications to any digital
wireless device, on any carrier, or across any type of network?
7. Are there any new privacy concerns that are being discussed in relation to the new products or
services? (e.g., concerns from being able to track user’s preferences, purchasing history, or
8. How does this product or solution affect the global marketplace?
9. What is the current retail price for the wireless products or solutions?
10. Is current bandwidth available for the wireless industry a concern?
THE ANALYSIS
• Your students will likely have very varied presentations.
• The assignment description in the text gives some principles that students should follow to have
GP – 30
CASE 15: EVALUATING THE NEXT GENERATION
DOT-COM ASPS
Pages 301
THE ISSUE
E-commerce is creating a new set of challenges for dot-com startups to well-established brick-and-
mortar companies. Driven by the need to capture increasing shares of business online, IT managers
take the first step by deciding on a commerce application. Front Range Car Rental faces an
important decision; whether to assign implementation, deployment, and application hosting to
THE TECHNOLOGY
A Web browser for reading the file, DOTCOMASP_SEARCH.htm, with the list of Web resources.
Spreadsheet software and a spreadsheet file, DOTCOMASP.xls for completing the analysis.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Some questions to help students identify ASP’s strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, and core
competencies are:
• Does the ASP offer full lifecycle services, including proof–of-concept, installation, operations,
training, support, and proactive evolution services?
• What is the ASP’s depth and breadth of technical expertise? What are the company’s specialties?
• Where and how did key technical staff obtain their expertise?
• Does the ASP have actual customers online and, if so, what results have they achieved?
• Does the ASP offer Service Level Agreements (SLA) and what are the penalties for SLA
violations?
• Specifically, how does the ASP’s infrastructure deliver:
– High availability (uptime)?
THE ANALYSIS
• Your students will have very varied results.
• The DOTCOMASP SOLUTIONS file contains one possible solution for this analysis.
• If time permits, you could allow the groups to present their work to the rest of the class.
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CASE 16: ANALYZING STRATEGIC AND COMPETITVE ADVANTAGE
Determining Operating Leverage
Page 303
THE ISSUE
Pony Espresso is a small business that sells specialty coffee drinks at office buildings. The cost of
transportation to and from the sales area, plus the power demands of the truck’s coffee brewing
equipment, is a significant portion of the variable costs. Pony Espresso could reduce the amount of
THE TECHNOLOGY
Spreadsheet software and a spreadsheet file, PONYESPRESSO.xls, which contains the data.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
• Units sold per month: 20,000
• Average unit sales price: $2.20
THE ANALYSIS
• Have students look at the change in the variability of the profit from month to month. From
November through January, when it is much more difficult to lure office workers out into the cold
to purchase coffee, Pony Espresso barely breaks even. In fact, in December of 2003, the
business lost money.
• Then have students calculate the EBIT – earnings before interest and taxes.
• NOTE: Variability in profit levels, whether measured as EBIT, operating income, or net income,
does not necessarily increase the level of business risk as the DOL increases.
• By moving some of the expenses from the category of variable costs to that of fixed costs, Pony
Espresso increases total annual earnings but the variability of the earnings from month to month
Projects – Group Projects: Electronic Commerce Projects
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The PONYESPESSO SOLUTION Excel file demonstrates how we performed our analysis. In the
Excel solution file, you will find four worksheets:
1. Cover Sheet – description of the Excel solution file