Four Seminar Tracks

Ensuring the Future Through Innovation, Science and Technology

Education and Workforce Training

Electronic Business Solutions Center (EBSC)

Four Seminar Tracks

The Electronic Business Solutions Center (EBSC), created by the CTC Foundation and implemented through a partnership of regional business, academic and community leadership, is a critical leading edge solution to "Digital Divide" challenges in communities across the nation. Adapted by the CTC Foundation from a Department of Defense funded initiative to address its technology-based supply chain issues, the EBSC is dedicated to improving quality of life and advancing the competitiveness of American industry and workers. The core functions of the program (items I. and II.) are designed for community based applications and education and are targeted at the un-employed and under-employed in those communities.

There are elements of the program (items III. and IV.) which are targeted at businesses and other entities in the community which may benefit from a more advanced approach and application of cutting edge technologies. These elements represent more advanced steps in the educational process and may be applicable to task related venues or other more complex seminars, classes and conferences.

Four Seminar Tracks

I.       Computer Basics and Electronic Commerce Foundations
II.      Intermediate Electronic Commerce Business Fundamentals
III.     Advanced EBSC Functions and EC/EDI Curricula
IV.     Document Conversion & Internet Technical Data Exchange

Core EBSC Programmatic Functions and Objectives

I. Computer Basics and Electronic Commerce Foundations
           Hardware/Software (hands-on)
           Getting Started with Electronic Commerce (The Big Picture of EC) (lecture)
           Internet Basics (Browser usage, Internet History, Internet Architecture (hands-on)
           Central Contractors Registration (CCR) Workshop

II. Intermediate Electronic Commerce Business Fundamentals
           Internet Business Operations
           Internet as a Business Platform
           Marketing on the Internet
           Web site Design and Promotion
           Internet Security (prerequisite: Getting Started with EC)

III. Advanced EBSC Functions and EC/EDI Curricula
           Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
           Business Opportunities utilizing EDI
           The Next Step in EDI Implementation

IV. Document Conversion & Internet Technical Data Exchange
Technology Data Exchange Overview
Legacy Data Management

Seminar Descriptions:
These seminar tracks are designed to lead the student through a series of technical training seminars that will assist the client with Electronic Commerce (EC) implementation. Students work in a hands-on environment and technical experts are available to assist with course materials.

I. Computer Basics and Electronic Commerce Foundations

Hardware/Software (hands-on)
This seminar provides a better understanding of relevant computer terms, illustrations and components. Specific hardware and software that is necessary to pursue EC strategies are discussed. In addition, businesses learn to effectively integrate computers into a business environment.

Getting Started with Electronic Commerce (The Big Picture of EC) (lecture)
This seminar provides a thorough introduction to the Internet and how to turn it into a valuable marketing and research tool. Ways to communicate with business partners are illustrated.

Internet Basics (Browser usage, Internet History, Internet Architecture (hands-on)
This seminar is designed to familiarize prospective employees as well as small to medium size enterprise (SME) with the Internet. The communication tools and their uses give workers and the SME an understanding of why the Internet is an integral part of their business processes.

II. Intermediate Electronic Commerce Business Fundamentals

Internet Business Operations
This seminar focuses on cost reduction and improved efficiencies of successful Internet implementation. Business processes and operating functions that can effectively and efficiently be accomplished through the use of the Internet are identified.

Internet as a Business Platform
This seminar is designed to familiarize the current and prospective employee in the small to medium size enterprise (SME) with the Internet. Use of Internet history, architecture and tools, to provide a road map for use on the "Information Super Highway." Opportunity for the SME to understand why the Internet is "smart" for their customers and "smart" for them.

Marketing on the Internet
This seminar teaches the client how to market and advertise their businesses on the Internet. Ways to reach new customers and better serve existing customers and increase business opportunities are discussed. Examples of businesses currently using the WWW to advance business and improve profitability are illustrated.

Web Site Design and Promotion
This seminar provides an introduction to site design concepts and discusses some of the resources required to establish a Web presence.

Internet Security
This seminar reviews the history and growth of the Internet and points out potential security threats as more business functions are performed using the Internry. Security basics of authentication, confidentiality, integrity, reliability and availability are explained. Strategies and policies for security are covered, including viruses, backup and recovery, encryption and firewalls.

III. Advanced EBSC Functions and EDI Curricula
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
This seminar introduces the current uses of EDI as well as the current changes in industry and government requirements for doing business. The four components of EDI including standards, software, hardware and communications along with several alternatives for implementing EDI in small to medium size enterprise (SME) are discussed.

Business Opportunities utilizing EDI
This eight hour intermediate seminar is designed for those who are responsible for implementing EDI and have existing EDI knowledge. Advanced terms and concepts are discussed including trading partner agreements and ways to handle specific trading partner issues.

The Next Step in EDI Implementation
This eight hour intermediate seminar is designed for those who are responsible for implementing EDI and have existing EDI knowledge. Advanced terms and concepts are discussed including trading partner agreements and ways to handle specific trading partner issues. ANSI X12 standards and hands-on practice is provided. EDI mapping through interactive exercises and ways to deal with EDI security and control issues are illustrated.

IV. Document Conversion and Internet Technical Data Exchange
Technology Data Exchange Overview
This seminar offers employees and businesses an overview of electronic exchange standards and discusses the electronic exchange of technical information. The transition from paper to digital data should be made as well as digital interchange standards, technical manuals, engineering drawings, technical illustrations and scanned images. Businesses learn how they can benefit from the use of standards and specifications used for the generation, interchange, management and use of technical data. Employees gain the technical skills.

Legacy Data Management
This seminar is designed for businesses that want to learn to store, use and manage historical information in a cost-effective manner. Clients are taught the importance of digitizing historical data and how organizations use legacy data management techniques to improve document management processes. Ways in which legacy data management is integrated into existing information management systems and the tools used to make the transition are discussed.

Online Courses
A variety of online courses are available through the EBSC to address the growing challenges encompassed in spanning the "Digital Divide" and the need to offer training in a cost effective way. Courses include:

Internet Business Strategies
Internet Security Issues
Roadmap to Getting your Business Online
Designing Effective Web sites
Internet Marketing and Sales
Computer Hardware and Software Basics
e-Commerce and (EDI) Electronic Data Interchange Orientation
Leveraging the Internet/Extranet for Business Operations
Data in a Web-Based Environment

Technical Support
EC Express! EC Express! technical support begins with establishing a baseline assessment to qualify the recipient and to determine their needs. EC Express! provides a hands-on, high-quality technical support service designed to assist organizations with electronic commerce technology implementation. The following lists the type of technical support that is available for qualified EBSC clients.

Basic Electronic Commerce
Internet/World Wide Web
Electronic Data Interchange
Electronic Bulletin Boards
Technical Data Exchange
HTML