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GCO5801 Trading systems and electronic commerce - Summer semester , 2007

Unit leader :

Iqbal Gondal

Lecturer(s) :

Gippsland

  • Iqbal Gondal

Introduction

Unit synopsis

This unit looks at how computer systems and technologies can be used to automate and control the process of trading, including the operational systems that exist in the individual firms, the exchange of information between trading partners and electronic commerce.

Topics to be studied will include:

  • Applications of information systems to companies that trade in goods and services
  • Computerisation of operational systems: purchasing, sales, dispatching, receiving, accounts payable, accounts receivable and inventory control.
  • Automation of the exchange of business data between trading partners, electronic commerce (EC).
  • EC technologies including bar coding, electronic data interchange (EDI), point of sale systems (POS), electronic funds transfer (EFT), data encryption and role of standards in data management practice.
  • EC and Just-in-Time, vendor managed inventory and other supply chain reforms.

    • Learning outcomes

    At the completion of this unit, students will have:

      Knowledgeof:

    • Main types of programs in trading systems
    • Nature and purpose of inventory systems
    • Widely used inventory reordering approaches
    • Various forms of automatic identification

      • An understandingof:

    • Information exchange involved in trading products for cash
    • Need for formal communication and control systems
    • Concepts of Just-In-Time (JIT) replenishment
    • Role of Electronic Commerce (EC) technologies in achieving JIT
    • Role of standards in electronic commerce

      • Skillsin:

    • Using the MYOB program
    • Control strategies and security measures
    • Implementing an inventory system and consequent savings in operational costs
    • Analysing the relationship between EC implementation and JIT replenishment

      • Attitudeof:

    • Efficiency and productivity gains through the use of technologies

    Workload

    It is expected that students would be spending nealy 15.5 hours per week in revising their lecture materials, reading text books, completing assignments and doing tutorial questions.

    Unit relationships

    Prerequisites

    There are no prerequisites for this unit.

    Relationships

    GCO5801 is a elective unit in the MBS and MIT degrees

    You may not study this unit and BUS4020 in your degree.

    Continuous improvement

    Monash is committed to ‘Excellence in education' and strives for the highest possible quality in teaching and learning. To monitor how successful we are in providing quality teaching and learning Monash regularly seeks feedback from students, employers and staff. Two of the formal ways that you are invited to provide feedback are through Unit Evaluations and through Monquest Teaching Evaluations.

    One of the key formal ways students have to provide feedback is through Unit Evaluation Surveys. It is Monash policy for every unit offered to be evaluated each year. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the surveys as they are an important avenue for students to "have their say". The feedback is anonymous and provides the Faculty with evidence of aspects that students are satisfied and areas for improvement.

    Student Evaluations

    The Faculty of IT administers the Unit Evaluation surveys online through the my.monash portal, although for some smaller classes there may be alternative evaluations conducted in class.

    If you wish to view how previous students rated this unit, please go to http://www.monash.edu.au/unit-evaluation-reports/

    Over the past few years the Faculty of Information Technology has made a number of improvements to its courses as a result of unit evaluation feedback. Some of these include systematic analysis and planning of unit improvements, and consistent assignment return guidelines.

    Monquest Teaching Evaluation surveys may be used by some of your academic staff this semester. They are administered by the Centre for Higher Education Quality (CHEQ) and may be completed in class with a facilitator or on-line through the my.monash portal. The data provided to lecturers is completely anonymous. Monquest surveys provide academic staff with evidence of the effectiveness of their teaching and identify areas for improvement. Individual Monquest reports are confidential, however, you can see the summary results of Monquest evaluations for 2006 at http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/cheq/evaluations/monquest/profiles/index.html

    Unit staff - contact details

    Unit leader

    Dr Iqbal Gondal
    Senior Lecturer
    Phone +61 3 990 26669

    Lecturer(s) :

    Dr Iqbal Gondal
    Senior Lecturer
    Phone +61 3 990 26669

    Teaching and learning method

    Students should use MUSO for discussion and unit book for, weekly study guides,  readings lists and tutorial questions

    Communication, participation and feedback

    Monash aims to provide a learning environment in which students receive a range of ongoing feedback throughout their studies. You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This may take the form of group feedback, individual feedback, peer feedback, self-comparison, verbal and written feedback, discussions (on line and in class) as well as more formal feedback related to assignment marks and grades. You are encouraged to draw on a variety of feedback to enhance your learning.

    It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem that is affecting your study. Semesters are short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

    Summer semester dates

    Key dates for units offered over the summer period vary widely. Please note the following important information with respect to the dates applying to this unit offering.

    This is ten week semester, and material is provided in 12 session, please organise, such that you need to cover first 6 sessions for assignment 1 and last 6 sections for assignment 2.

    Semester start 12th November 2007

    Semester end 1st Feb 2008

    Christmas holidays: 21st December - 2nd Jan 2008

    Unit Schedule

    Week Topic Key dates
    1 Trading 12/11/2007
    2 Trading Systems; Files in Trading Systems 12/11/2007
    3 Programs in Trading Systems; System Controls 19/11/2007
    4 Introduction to Inventory Systems; Inventory 26/11/2007
    5 Inventory Reordering Systems 2/12/2007
    6 Inventory Investment Analysis; Just-In-Time 10/12/2007
    7 Standard Product Numbering; Automatic 17/12/2007
    8 Bar Code Symbologies 2/1/2008
    9 Bar Code Technology and Applications; Electronic 7/1/2008
    10 EDI Standards; EDI Practicalities; Internet EDI 14/1/2008
    11 EDI Control, Security and Legal Issues 21/1/2007
    12 Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT); Electronic 21/1/2007
    13 Revision 28/1/2008

    Unit Resources

    Prescribed text(s) and readings

    Johnston R, Trading Systems and Electronic Commerce , Erudition Publishing, Melbourne, Australia, 1998

    Mind Your Own Business (MYOB) small business accounting software. Trial version obtainable from: http://www.myob.com.au/products/testdr.shtml

    Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.

    Recommended text(s) and readings

    You could read research papers on the topics for deeper understanding, you can do literature search using digital Monash library

    Required software and/or hardware

    MYOB

    Software may be:

    • downloaded from www.myob.com
    • purchased at academic price at good software retailers

    Equipment and consumables required or provided

    Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 5 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

    Study resources

    Study resources we will provide for your study are:

    A printed Unit book with 12 study guides, MUSO website, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary material will be posted.
    Discussion group will be available from the MUSO website

    Library access

    The Monash University Library site contains details about borrowing rights and catalogue searching. To learn more about the library and the various resources available, please go to http://www.lib.monash.edu.au.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

    Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)

    All unit and lecture materials are available through MUSO (Monash University Studies Online). Blackboard is the primary application used to deliver your unit resources.

    You can access MUSO and Blackboard via the portal (http://my.monash.edu.au).

    Click on the Study and enrolment tab, then Blackboard under the MUSO learning systems.

    In order for your Blackboard unit(s) to function correctly, your computer needs to be correctly configured.

    For example :

    • Blackboard supported browser
    • Supported Java runtime environment

    For more information, please visit

    http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/downloadables-student.html

    You can contact the MUSO Support by: Phone: (+61 3) 9903 1268

    For further contact information including operational hours, please visit

    http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/students/contact.html

    Further information can be obtained from the MUSO support site:

    http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/index.html

    Assessment

    Unit assessment policy

    Assessment weight: 

    Exam: 70%

    Assignments: 30%

     Since it is not possible to fully test your ability in a two-hour exam alone and since assignment work is not completed in a controlled environment, your final mark cannot be more than 10 marks higher than any of these two components expressed in percentage, i.e., expressed as a mark out of 100.

    Moreover, your final mark cannot also be more than the weighted average of the above two components expressed in percentage. So,

    Final mark = min(A + 10, E +10, A ´ (1-R) + E ´ R)

    where         A  =  overall assignment percentage,

                       E  =  exam percentage,

                       R  =  exam weighting (70% = 0.7).

    Assignment tasks

    • Assignment Task
      Title :
      Assignment 1
      Description :
      This assignment requires you to use MYOB to simulate business transactions and more details are given on the muso website
      Weighting :
      10%
      Criteria for assessment :
      Assignment submitted at MUSO will be marked and returned within two of submission date
      Due date :
      16th December 2007
    • Assignment Task
      Title :
      Assignment 2
      Description :
      You would be required to develop a feasibility study report on a business case, and more details will be on muso website
      Weighting :
      20%
      Criteria for assessment :
      Assignment submitted at MUSO will be marked and returned within two of submission date
      Due date :
      27/01/2008

    Examinations

    • Examination
      Weighting :
      70%
      Length :
      2 hours
      Type ( open/closed book ) :
      Closed book

    Assignment submission

    Assignments will be submitted by electronic submission to muso.monash.edu.au

    Assignment coversheets

    Complete plagiarism declaration under cover sheets and attach with assignments

    University and Faculty policy on assessment

    Due dates and extensions

    The due dates for the submission of assignments are given in the previous section. Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

    There will be no extensions for assignments, please manage your time well.

    Late assignment

    Penalty applies for late submission, an assignment submitted one week late will not be accepted.

    Return dates

    Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

    Assessment for the unit as a whole is in accordance with the provisions of the Monash University Education Policy at http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/assessment/

    We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.

    Plagiarism, cheating and collusion

    Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/about/committees-groups/facboard/policies/studrights.html) and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

    In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

    When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

    Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

    Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

    Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

    Register of counselling about plagiarism

    The university requires faculties to keep a simple and confidential register to record counselling to students about plagiarism (e.g. warnings). The register is accessible to Associate Deans Teaching (or nominees) and, where requested, students concerned have access to their own details in the register. The register is to serve as a record of counselling about the nature of plagiarism, not as a record of allegations; and no provision of appeals in relation to the register is necessary or applicable.

    Non-discriminatory language

    The Faculty of Information Technology is committed to the use of non-discriminatory language in all forms of communication. Discriminatory language is that which refers in abusive terms to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or nationality, ethnic or language background, physical or mental ability, or political or religious views, or which stereotypes groups in an adverse manner. This is not meant to preclude or inhibit legitimate academic debate on any issue; however, the language used in such debate should be non-discriminatory and sensitive to these matters. It is important to avoid the use of discriminatory language in your communications and written work. The most common form of discriminatory language in academic work tends to be in the area of gender inclusiveness. You are, therefore, requested to check for this and to ensure your work and communications are non-discriminatory in all respects.

    Students with disabilities

    Students with disabilities that may disadvantage them in assessment should seek advice from one of the following before completing assessment tasks and examinations:

    Deferred assessment and special consideration

    Deferred assessment (not to be confused with an extension for submission of an assignment) may be granted in cases of extenuating personal circumstances such as serious personal illness or bereavement. Special consideration in the awarding of grades is also possible in some circumstances. Information and forms for Special Consideration and deferred assessment applications are available at http://www.monash.edu.au/exams/special-consideration.html. Contact the Faculty's Student Services staff at your campus for further information and advice.