MIS 4379
Sec 16925
Business Systems Consulting
Spring 2011
MH 290 Tues. January 18, 2011 at 6:00 PM.
Second Life Online Synchronous
Thursday 6:00 PM- 7:30PM
Asynchronous Lectures and Project Work
Anytime
Carl Scott, Ph.D.
Office: 260B Melcher Hall Office Hours: by appointment in WebCt
E-mail: cscott@uh.edu
Phone: 713-743-4753
Fax:
Purpose:
713-743-4706
Students in this course will work on “Real World Projects with clients of the
University of Houston Small Business Development Center. The course is open
to all majors in the Bauer College of Business. The Honors College offers the
course as well.
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
Management: Business Leadership, Human Relations, Customer Relation Management
Grading:
Your grade for the course is based upon the following:
Tollgate 1
End of first 6 weeks
of Semester
Tollgate 2
End of second 6
weeks of Semester
Tollgate 3
End of last 4 weeks
of Semester
Total Billable
Hours for the
Semester
A
*
50
40
90 and up
B
*
40
40
80 to 89
C
*
33
37
70 to 79
D
*
30
30
60 to 69
E
*
30
29
Less than 60
Grade
There is a Statement of Work for the project and is developed by the student outlining the
expectations for the client and student including the billable hours. At the end of each project
there is an Acceptance of Work detailing all work accomplished by the student and signed by
the client and student. At the end of each “Tollgate”, the SBDC provides a confirmation from
the SBDC Clients that the student has satisfactorily completed the hours specified in the
student generated SOW. The student’s grade for that “Tollgate” comes from these hours. At
the end of the semester the three “Tollgate” grades are averaged to give the students final
grade.
Class Meeting: The first and only face to face meeting is in conference room MH 290 on
Tuesday January 18, 2011 at 6:00 PM. After that, the class will meet in the virtual world
Second Life (SL) on Thursday from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Lectures will be available through
iTunesU.
iTunesU: Access for iTunesU is only available from WebCt. Log in to WebCt and the course
home page and click on the link to iTunesU. Last semester several students had difficulty
accessing iTunesU through Internet Explorer. The use of Firefox as the browserh
Second Life: The class meets in the virtual world Second Life. You join Second Life at:
https://join.secondlife.com/?lang=en-US. Once you join SL send your avatar name to the
instructor. During the thirty minutes before the first meeting in SL you will receive an invite
from the instructor to join the class. Because of cross talk from people around you, head
phones with a microphone are required. Do not come to SL if you are using microphones and
speakers built into you laptop.
Attendance: Because of the team nature of the course, attendance is mandatory on Thursday.
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 current
hours in the tollgate.
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)
You find your login and password on WebCt in section under grades. Copy all e-mail
correspondence with the clients to the SBDC consultant.
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
Students who contribute by creating or revising a chapter in the text will receive 10 to 15
billable hours based on effort.
Blackboard 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.
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:

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;

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;

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;

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