Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz Chair for Vocational Education and Training Professor Dr. Klaus Breuer Speaker: René Molkenthin Thesis Projects on a Platform for Business Simulation Models

28. September 2003René Molkenthin Introduction Business simulations are complex software programs that mimic the behaviour of enterprises and organisations Development of business simulations at the University of Mainz with the Norwegian software „Powersim Studio“ Project for HiA-students: development of a web- based platform for business simulation models in cooperation with Grimstad using current Microsoft technology like.NET and C# or simiiar  programming an interface between a database, existing simulation models and a web-based GUI

38. September 2003René Molkenthin Issues Description of the Project Use of Business Simulations webSYDUS Platform for Business Simulation Models

September 2003René Molkenthin Database server MSSQL 2000 Webserver IIS 5.1.Net Framework SYDUS (model) Powersim SDK ASP.Net C# technical concept of web-based simulations Recording of Decisions and Values of Reporting variables Activities of the learners PS SDK allows the access of the model COM-Objekt Powersim SDK has to be installed on the webserver 3 Illustrating the interfaces

September 2003René Molkenthin Result of projects targets of the project(s) platform for administrating and simulation Powersim models over the internet prefabricated components for creating a GUI for different simulations 4

September 2003René Molkenthin Properties of the Project No knowledge about Powersim Studio required Working with current Microsoft technology Working in the context of business simulations can be useful for further Master of Science studies in Grimstad (IKT, Ind Øk) Relevant to the System Dynamics courses of Professor Gonzalez for M.Sci. students Relevant for ongoing research program in information security 1

September 2003René Molkenthin Properties of the Project benefits of joining the project(s) Cooperation with the Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz/Germany International University Stay for at least three months in Mainz Getting in touch with the German Culture

September 2003René Molkenthin Properties of the Project benefits of joining the project(s) Working language is English… but opportunity to learn German Free courses for Socrates students Financed by a Socrates program Cheap travelling (Ryan Air: Oslo Torp – Frankfurt)

September 2003René Molkenthin Issues Description of the Project Use of Business Simulations webSYDUS Platform for Business Simulation Models

September 2003René Molkenthin What are business simulations? Business simulations can represent a market with several enterprises in a simulation model Training decision making without any risks Seeing the consequences of decisions quicker than in reality Growing market for business simulations Consulting companies like McKinsey or Accenture make use of business simulations for strategic planning and management education 1

September 2003René Molkenthin The Structure of Business Simulation Models The business simulation „SYDUS“ is modelled as follows: market enterprise 1 enterprise 2 enterprise 3 2

September 2003René Molkenthin Using a Business Simulation in Education Each enterprise is composed of several activities The learner can choose one activity and make decisions and see their effects The learner can play the simulation alone or in a team –against the computer or –against other teams The learners choose their strategy to control the enterprise The teacher can face the learners with a scenario, e. g. a market break down 2

September 2003René Molkenthin Why „webSYDUS“? Shortcomings of SYDUS Use of SYDUS in schools means a lot of administrative effort E.g. installation of Powersim on every computer Recording of behaviour of the learner is hardly possible  Development of a web-based version of SYDUS (webSYDUS) 2

September 2003René Molkenthin Issues Business Simulation Models Use of Business Simulations webSYDUS Platform for Business Simulation Models

September 2003René Molkenthin functions specific to the activities general structure of webSYDUS different sections e.g. simulation and usermanagement links to the different activities functions to control the current simulation some information about the user and the simulation functions referring to the simulation e. g. the comparison of classification numbers 3

September 2003René Molkenthin structure of an activity in sd-notation 3

September 2003René Molkenthin reports of an activity Reports as tables diagrams 3

September 2003René Molkenthin Making decisions automatic concrete values reasons for decisions 3

September 2003René Molkenthin Issues Business Simulation Models Use of Business Simulations webSYDUS Platform for Business Simulation Models

September 2003René Molkenthin need of a platform for business simulation models Two reasons for a platform Using business simulation models in a more user friendly approach  more than one business simulation model  more users / learners: schools and university diagnosis of behaviour of the learners within a business simulation  web-based platform for business simulation models 4

September 2003René Molkenthin Functionality of a business model platform Platform should support the following aspects: 1.Uploading and configuring a Powersim model 2.Creating simulations based on a model 3.Using the simulation in a learning environment 4.Supporting communication and cooperation between learners 5.Recording the activities of the users / learners 4

September 2003René Molkenthin Functionality of a business model platform 1. Uploading and configuring a Powersim model Describing the model in a database, e. g. –which activities are modelled –assign and classifying variables Declaring scenarios and strategies that can be choosen in a simulation Configuring reporting tools relating to the different strategies 4

September 2003René Molkenthin Functionality of a business model platform 2. Creating simulations based on a model Selecting whether –the user plays the simulation by his own or –in a team with and against others Setting the access rights of a simulation Configuring the time-control 4

September 2003René Molkenthin Functionality of a business model platform 3. Using the simulation in a learning environment functions for supporting –informing –reporting and –decision making 4. Supporting communication and cooperation between learners coordination the strategy within a team 4

September 2003René Molkenthin Projects Three programming challenges Developing a web-based platform to administrate Powersim Models for web-based simulations including a user-management which records every activity of the learners Developing components for creating a GUI based on the data from a databaseserver Including a system for supporting communication and cooperation between users 4

September 2003René Molkenthin Projects Questions in any respect? 4