Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should be able to understand the information exchanges between companies engaged in trading and the systems that control these exchanges; be familiar with modern information technologies that can automate the exchange of information between trading partners; appreciate the impact of these electronic commerce technologies on trading arrangement and business process; be familiar with a popular accounting package; have been exposed to case studies relating to trading and electronic commerce; and be able to apply knowledge of trading and electronic commerce and recommend solutions to business problems.
Synopsis Application of information systems to companies that trade in goods and services. Automation of the exchange of business data between trading partners, electronic commerce (EC). The establishment, maintenance and operation of databases, processing of transactions and generation of management reports in applications such as accounting, sales, purchasing, distribution, inventory management and general management. Practical exercises with a state-of-the-art accounting package. Discussion and evaluation of EC technologies: developments such as bar coding and electronic data interchange (EDI), point of sale systems (POS), electronic funds transfer (EFT), data encryption and the role of standards such as x12 in data management and their impact on business operations and management practice. Case studies of the application of EC techniques in retail, manufacturing and service industries.
Assessment Written assignments: 30% + Examination (2 hours): 70%