MIS 4379
Business Systems Consulting
Summer 2009
Monday Wednesday 6:00PM - 8:00PM
MH 113
Jun 1, 2009-Aug 8, 2009
Office Hours: by appointment
Carl Scott, Ph.D.
Office: 260B Melcher Hall
E-mail: cscott@uh.edu
Phone: 713-743-4753
Fax:
713-743-4706
Twitter: Carl Scott
FaceBook: Carl Scott
Purpose: Students in this course will apply the knowledge gained from classes taken at the
University of Houston. Students work as individuals or as small teams, on two or three “Real
World Projects”. The projects come from clients of the University of Houston Small Business
Development Center. When working on these projects students will learn and apply Web 2.0
concepts such as Wiki, Social networking (twitter, blogs, Facebook, Search Engine
Optimization) and Agile Project management with Scrum. The Honors College offers the
course as well. Permission to take the course is required from the instructor Dr. Scott
(cscott@uh.edu). To receive this permission send a copy of your resume and a request to Dr.
Scott and Ms. Krista Kerr (kkerr@uh.edu). Because of the “hands on nature” of the class
enrollment is limited to thirty students.
Text: The course text is free and is written and maintained in a Wiki form by students in the
course. Text is located at:
http://wiki.bauer.uh.edu/wiki/index.php/MIS_4379_Business_Systems_Consulting
Class Meeting: The class will meet either: 1) face to face, or 2) in the virtual world Second
Life, or 3)a combination of both. How the class meets will be determined by the students in
the first class at the beginning of the session. The class meets from 6:00PM - 8:00PM to
accommodate student’s summer schedule.
Grading: Grades for the course are based upon the student’s work on of their projects. To earn
an “A,” a student is expected to complete 10 hours/week outside of class for a total of 120
hours for the 12 week term. To earn a “B,” a student is expected to complete 9 hours/week
outside of class for a total of 108 hours for the 12 week term. To earn a “C,” a student is
expected to complete 8 hours/week outside of class for a total of 96 hours for the 12 week
term.
Additional Information: Additional information can be found at the following Websites:
Dr. Carl Scott Bauer Home Page: http://blogs.bauer.uh.edu/scott/
Dr. Carl Scott Blog: http://businessinfosys.uh.edu/
Typical projects are:
Information Systems: Web Development; Hardware selection and installation
Accounting: Office Automation using Quickbooks, informal auditing
Operations Management: Management of client projects to include all aspects of
business systems. Supply Chain Management
Marketing: Development of Marketing Plans for:
Increase Sales
Improved marketing of Products
Management: Business Leadership, Human Relations, Customer Relation Management
Attendance: Because of the team nature of the course, attendance is mandatory on Wednesday
It is by attending class the status of projects is determined and new projects become available.
Each unexcused absence will result on the loss of 10 billable hours from the student’s final
grade. WebCt is used to in the course. In WebCt, you find the supporting lectures and
information needed for the course.
Projects: SBDC consultants initiate Client projects using the student maintained project
tracking database.
Student Login (http://192.138.194.200/disc4379_sbdc_projects/student/login.asp)
Your login and password can be found on WebCt in section under grades. All e-mail
correspondence with the clients will be copied to the SBDC consultant. All projects will have
a maximum of three students on each project. The students will share equally in the hours for
the project.
Blackboard Vista
Blackboard Vista is the new version of WebCT Vista.
 How will I get my Blackboard Vista User Name?
You will NOT get a User Name if your instructors do not use Vista for your courses.
 For Blackboard Vista, your User Name is your PeopleSoft ID.
 For WebCT Vista, your User Name is your Cougarnet ID.
 Here’s three ways to get your User Name:
Online at http://www.uh.edu/webct - Click “Check User Name” to get your
WebCT User Name.
In person in Room 116 of the PGH building on the main campus, MondayFriday, 8 am-8 pm.
By phone at 713-743-1411 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 New users: Your User Name will start to work only AFTER the first day of
class.
 If you register late or change sections, allow 1-3 working days AFTER you
register for a class for your User Name to be created and added to the class.
 Be sure to type your User Name and password exactly as specified.
 What’s my password?
Your initial password is your 6-digit birth date in the format mmddyya! where “a” is
the first initial of your last name in lower case. The exclamation point is part of the
password. For example: April 1, 1983 for Jane Smith would be entered as 040183s!
You will be required to change your password the first time you log on and every 90
days after that.
 Where do I find my WebCT Vista or Blackboard Vista courses?
Once you have your User Name, go to http://www.uh.edu/webct. Click the red
“WebCT Vista” button or the blue “Blackboard Vista” button. Enter your User Name
and password exactly as specified. Use “Check Your Browser” to check your computer
configuration.
 How do I get help using WebCT Vista or Blackboard Vista?
Go to http://www.uh.edu/webct and click on “Student Help” to see a variety of
options. Students can also call 713-743-1411 or send email to support@uh.edu.
Academic Honesty:
The University of Houston Academic Honesty Policy is strictly enforced by the C. T. Bauer
College of Business. No violations of this policy will be tolerated in this course. A discussion of
the policy is included in the University of Houston Student Handbook,
http://www.uh.edu/dos/hdbk/acad/achonpol.html. Students are expected to be familiar with this
policy.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
The C. T. Bauer College of Business would like to help students who have disabilities achieve
their highest potential. To this end, in order to receive academic accommodations, students
must register with the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) (telephone 713-743-5400),
and present approved accommodation documentation to their instructors in a timely manner.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER INTERNSHIP
PROJECT GUIDELINES
The University of Houston Small Business Development Internship Program is a
partnership with the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business and the
Small Business Development Center (SBDC). The program is designed to provide
SBDC clients with business solutions via access to the knowledge and technical
skills of the faculty and students of Bauer’s Decision and Information Sciences (DISC)
Department.
The program helps SBDC clients with their business needs, and at the same time
provides a valuable, practical business experience for the students. Student teams,
under the supervision of a DISC faculty member, work on business projects. Projects
could include:
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Office automation & integration
Web, database or network development
Hardware & software selection and installation
ISP selection
Accounting
Finance
Marketing
Format
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Student teams consisting of 2-3 persons, with a Student Lead (primary contact)
having the overall responsibility for the project.
Typically, each student works on three to five projects per semester.
Time frame for each project depends on the magnitude of the project.
SBDC Lead Consultant selects clients for participation in program.
Process
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SBDC Consultants input the project information on-line via the DISC web site.
The Student Lead contacts the client to discuss the project and perform an
assessment. The SBDC Consultant is also contacted via e-mail to
acknowledge that the client has been contacted and that the preliminary
evaluation has begun.
The Student Lead prepares the Statement of Work (SOW) and submits it to
the supervising faculty member for review and approval. The SOW is then
forwarded to the client (with a copy to the SBDC Consultant) for approval.
Status of each project is tracked on-line. Summary of the SOW is on-line.
Update the work progress on a timely basis.
Upon completion of the project, an Acceptance of Work is submitted to the
client for their final review and approval.
All hours and final disposition of the project is posted on-line.
Project Communication Issues
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SBDC Consultant remains involved throughout the entire process. They will
monitor each client’s project progress on-line. Consultants will check coding:
Yellow (started but not worked on), awaiting staffing, In progress and
completed. First three indicate that there are problems with the project that
need to be resolved before the students can resume their work.
Initially, the Student Lead will attempt to resolve project concerns/issues. The
supervisor will intervene and assist as needed.
If issues are still not resolved, Student Lead will contact the Consultant to
discuss.
Client Responsibilities
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Be available to meet initially to discuss the scope of the project with the
student team, and to respond in a timely manner during the work phase.
Provide all content material for the project. This includes:
1. any and all purchases, such as hardware or software, needed to
complete the project
2. visuals such as digitized pictures for a web site (students will digitize up
to 10 pictures)
3. web host information (student teams can recommend but client must
enroll)
4. e-commerce services such as PayPal or Verisign enrollment (done by
client the assistance of the student team)
Change of content material is discouraged.
Student Responsibilities
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Recognize that in many instances the business owner is wearing all the hats
and is juggling many different tasks. Their priority is to operate the business.
Clearly communicate needs to the client and allow time for a response.
Keep web site updated so that the SBDC Consultant can track the status.
Call the SBDC consultant if concerns are not being resolved, e.g. nonresponsive client; information not being provided, etc. Again, client may be
putting out fires or responding to there own customer demands.
Client’s needs may change. They may not have fully articulated, or do not
have a clear understanding of their desires and as the project progresses, their
request may evolve.
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SBDC Consultant Responsibilities
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Provide client project detail on-line.
Clearly communicate to client program outline and the client’s responsibilities.
Monitor the status of client projects.
Assist the Student Lead if concerns are not being resolved, e.g. nonresponsive client; information not being provided, etc.
Document client files with supporting project data.
Post Semester
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Student Lead will submit the Acceptance of Work to the client for their final
approval and signature. Web site updated with hours and summary of work
completed.
SBDC Consultant follows up with client to determine level of satisfaction and
to see if any further work is required. Obtain testimonials!
For any incomplete projects, or if additional project work is requested, SBDC
consultant will re-enroll client during the semester or in the following semester.
Student Profile
Put your
Picture here
Student Name ____________________________
SL Avatar name___________________________
Your Interests ____________________________
_________________________________
________________________________
This class will &@#$%&*@### if I don’t learn:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
CONFLICT OF INTEREST - STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
FOR CONTRACTORS AND VOLUNTEERS
These standards shall be complied with by University of Houston SBDC/PTAC non-employee contract and
volunteer Consultants/Trainers/Instructors of the University of Houston SBDC/PTAC and all UHSBDC affiliate
network centers, hereafter collectively referred to as UH SBDC/PTAC network contractors and/or volunteers.
As a condition of my association with the UH SBDC/PTAC network as a UH SBDC/PTAC network contractor
and/or volunteer, I agree to the following:
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I shall not recommend the purchase of goods or services from sources in which I have a direct or
indirect interest;
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I shall not solicit or accept, or appear to solicit or accept any gift, loan, reward, equity in a business,
compensation, or other monetary remuneration, promise of future employment, favor or service in
return for services performed for the UH SBDC/ PTAC client while under contract with or
performing volunteer services for the UH SBDC/ PTAC;
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I shall not solicit or accept, or appear to solicit or accept any gift, loan, reward, equity in a business,
compensation, or other monetary remuneration, promise of future employment, favor or service in
return for recommending any goods or services to a UH SBDC/PTAC client;
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I shall not solicit private business consulting/counseling engagements from any persons seeking
counseling from the SBDC network during the term of my contract or volunteer service with the
SBDC. I shall not accept unsolicited private business consulting/counseling engagements from any
persons seeking counseling from the UH SBDC/PTAC network during the term of my contract or
volunteer service with the UH SBDC/PTAC unless a “Termination of SBDC/PTAC Counseling
Relationship” form is signed by the client and approved by the Executive Director;
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I shall hold the affairs of all persons seeking UH SBDC/PTAC services in strict confidence and maintain
the high standards of professional conduct.
I have read this Conflict of Interest - Standards of Conduct policy and the Termination of SBDC/PTAC
Counseling Relationship form, which was attached to this agreement and is incorporated by reference. I
understand that failure to comply with any of the above shall constitute grounds for severance of my association
with the UH SBDC/PTAC.
CIRCLE AFFILIATION AS APPROPRIATE:
Ange Angelina College - Lufkin
Lee College – Baytown
Blinn College – Brenham
North Harris Montgomery County Community College District
Brazosport College - Lake Jackson
Prairie View A&M University – Prairie View
Galveston County – Texas City
San Sam Houston State University - Huntsville
Lamar University – Beaumont
San Jacinto College District - Pearland
Lamar State College - Port Arthur
UH Brazos Valley - Bryan/College Station
UH Fort Bend County – Missouri City
UH Coastal Plains - Bay City
University of Houston - Houston
______________________
Name (print or type)
UH SBDC/PTAC Network
Contractor and/or Volunteer
_____________________________
Signature
Original: Region Office UH SBDC/PTAC
_____________
Date
Copy to: Center Office, Individual