An Alternative to PC and Internet Based Simulations: The Internet Integrated Mode Page 241 - Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, volume 38, 2011 ABSTRACT Business educational simulations have passed through a series of generations of development beginning with hand scored games, progressing through mainframe simulations, PC based simulations and then Internet based simulations. This manuscript describes a hybrid approach which blends PC based simulations with Internet based simulations to benefit from some of the strengths of each. INTRODUCTION Early business simulations were hand scored, e.g., Marketing in Action (Day, 1962). When mainframe com- puters became common among universities, faculty began developing computer scored simulations, most written in some variation of the FORTRAN language (Cotter, 1973, Faria, et. al., 1974, Jensen and Cherrington, 1973). Some of the hand-scored simulations were converted to computer scored versions with increased complexity (Day, 1968). Simulation input for computer scored simulations was via punch cards and simulation output was printed on large central printers. Later in this era, terminals became avail- able which allowed users to enter input directly into the computer obviating the need for punch cards (Fritzsche, 1977). With the advent of personal computers (PCs), some mainframe simulations were converted to run on PCs, (Cotter and Fritzsche, 1986) and new simulations were developed specifically for PCs (Anderson, et. al., 1999, Thavikulwat, 1991). Most of these were written in some variation of BASIC with a few written in a variation of C. While some simulations were run on a single PC, the more common mode was the development of an administrator’s program to run on one PC with several player’s programs running on additional PCs. Input was entered by players via PC and normally saved on floppy disks which were read by the administrators PC. Floppy disks were later replaced with flash drives. Simulation output was saved to the same floppy disk or flash drive for student viewing on- screen or printing on individual printers connected to their PCs. The computer interface evolved from rather rudimen- tary DOS operating systems to sophisticated graphical user interfaces (GUI) interfaces, first introduced by Apple and later joined by different editions of Windows. The advent of the Internet, made possible by the ubiq- uitous PC, is having a significant impact on simulation op- erating modes. Internet based simulations represent the fourth generation of business simulations. Internet based simulations offer a number of advantages for users. They are PC independent, accessed via a web browser, available anywhere an Internet connection is available, and are easily updated on a server rather than on a number of PCs. As with earlier simulations, some PC based simulations have been ported to the Internet along with some new simula- tions being developed solely for the Internet (Wolfe, 2003, Anderson. However converting a PC based simulation to an Internet based simulation is not a trivial exercise. BLEND OF PC AND INTERNET MODES An interesting alternative is to blend the PC based and Internet based modes in what we will refer to as the Inter- net integrated mode. In this mode, an administrator’s pro- gram is installed on a PC and player’s programs are in- stalled on other PCs. PC location is unimportant as long as each PC has access to the Internet. The Internet serves the connection point for the PCs and provides the storage point for all files that require access by both programs. This in- cludes both player decision files and all simulation output files. A description of the process of running an Internet integrated simulation will help understand the differences among the three modes. To initiate a competition in the Internet integrated mode, the administrator creates the initial historical files needed by the players to begin the simulation as usual. The files are then distributed to their respective company folders located on the administrator’s PC. Then the admin- istrator creates a set of unique folders on a server connected to the Internet. This should be accomplished by accessing a menu item in the administrator’s program. After the fold- AN ALTERNATIVE TO PC AND INTERNET BASED SIMULATIONS: THE INTERNET INTEGRATED MODE David J. Fritzsche The Business Policy Game fritzsch@eskimo.com Robert McQuaid Pepperdine University Bob.McQuaid@Pepperdine.edu mailto:fritzsch@eskimo.com mailto:Bob.McQuaid@Pepperdine.edu Page 242 - Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, volume 38, 2011 ers are created, access files for each player team must be created and delivered to each team either via email or flash drive. This again should be accomplished using a menu item in the administrator’s program or it may be included in the process that creates the folders on the server. The access files should be encrypted so that the player’s cannot determine what server is being used or how the correct team information is accessed on the server. All informa- tion sent between the PCs and the server must also be en- crypted using either https or SFTP. This prevents unpleas- ant surprises from lurking hackers. When the player’s re- ceive the access files, they should place the files in their “company folder”. This should be accomplished using a menu item in the player’s program. Just prior to providing the access files to the players, the administrator should up- load the historical files to the server using a menu item or button in the administrator’s program. The files are com- pressed into a zip archive as they are being uploaded. After the historical files have been uploaded and the players have their access files in place, they are ready ac- cess the server to download the historical files and begin to plan for their competition. The files are downloaded using a menu item or button in the player’s program. The download process unpacks the zip archive for the team and places the files into the correct folder for access via the player’s program. After the files have been downloaded, the players use the player’s program to view the simulation output or print it. When the players have analyzed the his- torical files and created a decision set for the first period of play, the decision set file is created using the players pro- gram. The decision file is then uploaded to the server using a menu item or button in the player’s program. When it is time to run the simulation, the administrator downloads the player’s decision files using a menu item or button in the administrator’s program. The simulation is run and the output is transferred to company folders via a menu item or button. The simulation is then uploaded to the server using a menu item or button with the output be- ing compressed into a zip archive as before. The process continues as before for as long as the competition is run. It should be noted that copies of all decision files and simula- tion reports are kept on both the respective player’s and administrator’s PCs. The Internet integrated mode is a bit of a hybrid which offers some advantages over the PC and Internet modes of operation. 1. Input and output files are sent over the Internet elimi- nating the need to use a physical medium to transfer company decisions and simulation output. 2. Player’s programs can be designed to upload decision files when they are created removing the possibility that player’s will forget to submit their decisions on time after decision files are created. 3. Each player can have a copy of the player’s program on a PC and download the simulation output independ- ently. This allows the players to access and work on the simulation as their time allows. Any player on a team can create a decision file and upload it to the server providing a backup when the player normally responsible for entering decisions is not able to re- spond in time. 4. Players and administrators may be located anywhere in the world with files flowing back and forth as long as an Internet connection is available. This allows play- ers to be in different locations and still contribute, e.g. a player on a trip can download the output, communi- cate with fellow players via email and even upload the decision set after entering it if needed. 5. Software can be downloaded and a competition set up in a short period of time, usually less than half an hour for those familiar with the simulation software. 6. If the administrator is using an executive panel or other external parties to evaluate the simulation competition, each panel member can download the simulation out- put using a copy of the administrator’s program to pro- vide complete, timely information regarding the simu- lation. 7. Converting a simulation to an Internet integrated mode is considerably easier than converting it to an Internet mode. 8. If the Internet goes down, the simulation can be de- signed to revert to flash drive or floppy disk mode until the Internet is restored if the players and administrator are located in the same area. Thus no time is lost. 9. The simulation administrator maintains full control over the starting conditions for the simulation. 10. The simulation administrator controls when the simu- lation will be run. 11. The simulation administrator has full control of the parameter settings and a rich set of parameters can be included in the simulation. CONVERTING A PC BASED SIMULATION Some requirements for converting a PC based simula- tion into an Internet integrated mode include: 1. A reliable server is needed to store decision and simu- lation output. This may be provided by an Internet service provider. 2. Secure connections such as SFTP or https must be used to protect passwords. 3. The administrator’s program should be configured to allow users to easily create the required files on the server to implement a competition. 4. Both decision and output files should be uploaded and downloaded by simple menu or button commands. 5. Provisions should be made to revert to flash drive mode in the event the Internet fails. Page 243 - Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning, volume 38, 2011 REFERENCES Anderson, P., Micromatic, oaktreesim.com Anderson, P. H., D. A. Beveridge, T. Scott, and D. L. Hofmeister, (1999). Threshold Competitor. Up- per Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Cotter, R. 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Table of Contents Volume 38, 2011 Simulated Tabletop Exercise for Risk Management - Anti Bio-terrorism Scenario Simulated Tabletop Exercise From Business Games to Simulations - Simuworlds & Microworlds Demand Equation Redux: The Design and Functionality of the Gold/Pray Model in Computerized Business Simulations Managing Client-Based Learning: Insights from Successful Teaching Project Courses in Marketing Tracking Forecast Error Type, Frequency and Magnitude with the Forecast Error Package Responding to Facilitate Collaboration Simulating Sudden Change and the Value of Timely Information Managing Human Resources Simulation A Study on Collectivism and Group Decision-Making: An International Comparison of Japan, China, and Russia Using a Gaming Simulation The Use of Management Games in the Management Research Agenda Gaming On-Line: A Simulation Application Positioning and Performance in Simulated Networks Supply Chain Management: A Simulation Application Simulation as a Teaching Method in Strategic Management Distance Studies Entrepreneurship: A Game of Risk and Reward Phase II: The Start-Up Return to the Paradise Islands: From Confrontation to Cooperation Effect on Market Performance of Displaying Supply and Demand Curves in a Business Simulation Appreciating Complexity: The Chief of Staff of the Army Game Managing Organizations: Experiential MBA Course Teaches Alternatives to the Machine Model A Simulation Model for Analyzing the Night-Time Emergency Health Care System in Japan The Continuing Evoluation of Assessing Project Management as an Academic Learning Outcome (ALO) Should College Instructors Change Their Teaching Styles to Meet the Millenial Student? The Mouse Game and its Effects on Team Interdependence Learning from the Gulf Oil Spill to Prepare for a Brighter Future: A New Game Engaging Stake Holders in Triple Bottom Line Accounting & Strategic Planning Video Killed the Biblio Star: The Impact of Digital Media on Student Learning Outcomes Exploring Motivation: Using Emoticons to Map Student Motivation in a Business Game Exercise An Alternative to PC and Internet Based Simulations: The Internet Integrated Mode MiddleState University -- A Crisis in Education Complexity Avoidance, Narcissism and Experiential Learning Examining the Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor Dimensions in Management Skill Development Through Experiential Learning: Developing a Framework A Situational Leadership Exercise Based on the Biology of a Starfish JOGAI CEFET -- The Industrial Administration Undergraduate Game Would You Take a Marketing Man to a Quick Service Restaurant? Modeling Corporate Social Responsibility In A Food Service Menu-Management Simulation Use of a Simulation in a Large Class Environment for a Marketing Principles Class: A Qualitative Analysis of Whether Learning Objectives were Met A Team Based Information Literacy Exercise ABSEL Marketing Communications Plan An Interdisciplinary Study of the Impact of Playing a Marketing Simulation Game on Student Knowledge of Management Accounting/Finance Principles Analyzing Construction Planning of Interiro Finish Work of Apartment Building by Simulation Doing Murder One Again The Simple Business Game and Simulation Transfering the Knowledge of Middle Management to Novices Infectious Disease Simulation Model for Estimation of Spreading Understanding the Relative Influence of Several Factors in ERP Simulation Performance: An Exploration of Ecological Validity Tragedy of the Commons: An Exercise Using Clickers to Illustrate and Teach a Key Concept in Negotiations The Meaning of Firm Demand in Business Simulations If the Games Work, Why Aren't More Faculty Willing to Play? Those Who Do and Those That Don't: A Study of Engaged and Disengaged Business Game Players