BUS 494

1
Introduction

• BUS 494
• Small Business Information Systems
• Lecture 1
• Professor Barry Floyd

2
Agenda

• Introductions
• Course Objectives
• Major Assignments/Projects
• Are you an entrepreneur?
• QuickBooks Overview
• Assignment 1

3
Introductions

• Name (nickname)
• Local Address Permanent Address
• Local Phone Permanent Phone
• Email ID
• Screenname
• Concentration
• Skills in Web Dev, Database, Spreadsheets,
  Networking, QuickBooks
• Computer at home (if any)
• What do you want out of this course?
• Expected date of graduation
• Company/position desired upon graduation
• Taken BUS 488 (yes/no)

4
Course Objectives

• Understand how technology improves organizational
  productivity
• See how the software industry has responded to
  this need by producing Enterprise software
• Understand the mainstream business processes of
  an organization
• Develop hands-on skill in setting up a business
  with Enterprise software
• QuickBooks
• Great Plains
• Understand management concerns with Enterprise
  software
• Selection, implementation, management, control,
  cost, etc.
• Understand role of a business plan in business
  creation

5
Major Assignments/Projects

• Create a business idea / Or find a local business
  to work with.
• Business Plan write a business plan
• Setup and operate the business in QuickBooks
  (very small business software)
• Review accounting fundamentals
• See business processes by buying and selling from
  others in the class and from other suppliers and
  customers
• Create and maintain a business/class Web site
• Used to market your products/services to others
  in the class
• Used to submit some of your class work.
• Microsoft Dynamics activity (mid-range software)
• Business Setup
• Define business infrastructure using Great Plains
  software
• Business Operations
• Operate the business for some time period
• Identify and produce key reports that illustrate
  the success of the business
• Understand one of the Personas and related
  Microsoft Dynamics software to the persona.

6
Some expectations

• Attendance and participation
• Plan on 2 3 hours outside of class for each
  hour inside class
• Teamwork is important for each project there is
  a team evaluation form. Grades will be adjusted
  if everyone isnt happy.
• You choose a business that you like and would
  really like to develop (or work for)

7
Are you an entrepreneur?

• Go to the following web site, read the short
  description of the characteristics of an
  entrepreneur
• http//www.calpoly.edu/bfloyd/bus494.htm
• Answer the 10 questions on this page
• Compare your answers with others at your table
• Identify the person who is the most
  entrepreneurial
• Is this a good assessment? Is it true?

8
How do businesses compete?

• Three main ways of competing
• Low cost producer
• Differentiated products/services
• Niche market

9
QuickBooks Overview

• Go to http//www.quickbooks.com

10
ERP Vendors

• High end SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle,
• Middle end Great Plains,
• Small business (not really called ERP)
  QuickBooks, MYOB, Peachtree,

11
Summary

• The focus of this class is not on technology, but
  the management of technology
• Most organizations need an enterprise system
• Gaining skills and knowledge will make you more
  marketable

12
Things to do for next class

• Identify business you would like to create
• Identify business partner to work with
• Those folks who do not have a partner will be
  matched on Wednesday. It is NOT a problem to not
  have a partner by Wednesday
• Get online and read about QuickBooks and about
  ERP