Solutions For Economic Growth (SEG) Center
Spring 2008
Community Economic Development Website
Steve Hawk – MIS220 - 2 students
Design a website for the organization CED Inc. (Community Economic Development Corporation, Inc.)
Racine United Arts Fund (RUAF) Website
Steve Hawk – MIS220 - 3 students
Design a website for the organization Racine United Arts Fund (RUAF) so that more people can find information about the Arts Fund and increase donations to the fund.
JG Marketing Website
Suresh Chalasani – MIS425 - 7 students
JG Marketing is a sales and marketing based company which represents Owens Corning, a basement finishing company. Owens Corning sells and installs the materials to completely finish a bare basement. JG Marketing represents Owens Corning in the upper Midwest. The primary business driver for this project is to design and implement an Internet website for JG Marketing so it becomes an efficient vehicle to inform the general public about JG Marketing and Owens Corning, and to allow interested parties to communicate with JG Marketing.
Hansen Meats Marketing Plan
Deneine Powell – ENTR450
Develop a Marketing Plan to help raise revenues during their slow season.
UWP Grant Proposal Database
Will Zheng – MIS428 - 4 students
The University of Wisconsin Parkside’s (UWP) Research Administration office is seeking an information systems solution to an archaic paper-based process of storing, retrieving, and reporting grant proposals submitted to their offices. The existing method of monitoring proposals and their associated budgets, accounts, and project personnel is time consuming and error prone. This project seeks to deliver a solution that enhances the speed in which the grant proposal data is stored, retrieved, and presented. The client’s requirements also involve a number of developments allowing for enhanced searching, maintenance, and interfacing with data that is well aligned with their existing program and faculty database.
Telstar Racing Website
Suresh Chalasani – MIS425 – 6 students
Telstar Racing of Racine, Wisconsin designs, builds, and races dragsters. Aside from funding from the livelihoods of its members, Telstar Racing is only funded by sponsorships from outside organizations and appearances at promotional events. However, their exposure is limited due to limited technical expertise in website design. The primary business driver for this project is to design a website to achieve a higher level of visibility to attract organizations with a commitment to a long-term sponsorship.
Mental Illness Housing Website
Suresh Chalasani – MIS425 – 7 students
There is a lack of adequate housing alternatives for individuals with mental illness in Southeastern Wisconsin. As a result, the number of such individuals in emergency rooms, jails, and homeless shelters is increasing. This issue can prevent individuals from receiving adequate treatment, further complicating their ability to maintain necessities such as employment, shelter and food. Without more appropriate housing alternatives, more hospital, jail and homeless shelter capacity will become necessary, as will increased police efforts. Develop a website containing statistical and financial information reflecting the housing needs of individuals with mental illness in Southeastern Wisconsin. The design and content of this website must raise awareness of the housing shortage and advocate reform of current public policy.
Kenosha Art Association database
Will Zheng – MIS328 – 4 students
In this project we will be creating a database for the Kenosha Art Association. We are creating a compilation of the people who work, attend, or participate in the activities. The activities include schooling, art fairs, and other activities. The database will also encompass the history of these events.
Visiting Nurses Association (Kenosha) database
Will Zheng – MIS328 – 3 students
Kenosha Visiting Nurses Association (KVNA) is a non-profit organization based in downtown Kenosha. They are “dedicated to providing individual, dependable home health care and community health services for people of all ages with emphasis on compassion and respect for those we serve and employ.” KVNA uses a patient information database written in the 2000 version of Lotus Approach. The size and complexity of the database is growing beyond what KVNA feels is appropriate for that software and are requesting a prototype port of the database be created with Microsoft Access. With the provided prototype, Kenosha Visiting Nurses Association will have the ability to modify, appropriately test, and then migrate to the Microsoft Access system.
Automated Design System for Modine Manufacturing Company
Suresh Chalasani – CIS721 (Enterprise Computing) – 2 students
The goal of the project this semester is to improve the web based system for automating the process of designing heat performance products. The system will be using regressed equations to find the best performing and most cost effective product.
Career Connection 2008
Tom Witt – 5 students
More than a job fair, Career Connection is an educational opportunity for UW-Parkside students. The event gives the student an opportunity to learn about:
- Local organizations and what they do,
- The skills these organizations are looking for in their employees, and
- The career and internship possibilities that exist at these organizations.
All UW-Parkside students are invited: all majors and all years—freshmen to seniors. Beginning in the fall, a project team of five students and two faculty advisors planned the event. Career Connection 2008 was held on February 26 and was a great success. Over 300 students attended along with 23 organizations.
African American Business & Professional Association of Racine and Kenosha Strategic Plan
Cathleen Folker – MBA796 (Advanced Strategic Management) – 3 students
The result of this project will be to develop a strategic mission to help the African American Business & Professional Association of Racine and Kenosha achieve their goal of becoming a pro-active and effective organization that helps stimulate an entrepreneurial climate within the African American community. Additional work may be done to help spread the word of the AABPA’s activities and knowledge base to those in the community who may not know of its existence. The key stakeholders of the AABPA will be presented with an oral and a written report concerning our recommendation on how to develop their organization into a long lasting, sustainable non-profit organization.
MargaretAnn’s Place Strategic Plan
Cathleen Folker – MBA796 (Advanced Strategic Management) – 3 students
MargaretAnn’s Place is facing programming challenges, due to limited resources and only 300 centers in the U.S. MargaretAnn’s Place has several programs in place in the Kenosha area; however it wants to expand the programs offered both in Kenosha and Racine. The main objective of this project is to formulate a high-level strategic plan that will assist MargaretAnn’s Place to fulfill its vision of supporting children and their families who are grieving the death of a loved one.
West Yorkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Center Strategic Plan
Cathleen Folker – MBA796 (Advanced Strategic Management) – 1 student
The end result of this project will be a documented strategic framework for the MS Therapy Center. This strategic framework will allow the organization to remain a viable and sustainable public resource for those individuals suffering from the effects of multiple sclerosis. The stakeholders will be provided an opportunity to participate in crafting the strategic framework for their organization, specifically by input into a SWOT analysis and by development of goals and objectives. A written recommendation and report, along with an oral presentation will be provided to the stakeholders at a subsequent visit to the UK.
Additionally, The MS Therapy Center Board of Directors and therapy center operating staff will be given the opportunity and platform to collaborate on framing the future of the organization.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside Library Strategic Plan
Cathleen Folker – MBA796 (Advanced Strategic Management) – 3 students
The main objective of this project is to formulate a high-level strategic plan that will assist UW-Parkside Library in raising additional funding and educating students that the library is an extension of the classroom. The stakeholders will be provided with a written report and an oral presentation that will include recommendations for the transformation of the UW-Parkside Library.
Southeast Wisconsin Performing Arts Strategic Plan
Cathleen Folker – MBA796 (Advanced Strategic Management) – 3 students
The main objective of this project is to formulate the best long term strategic plan that will assist the South East Wisconsin Performing Arts in aligning its vision of being a nonprofit organization that helps young singers in high school and college. They will focus on kids or adults that want to join the program. This effort will result in the documentation of a long term strategy for South East Wisconsin Performing Arts that will aid in the organization of their long term goals. The document will include SWOT analysis; as well as clearly defined goals and objectives for the organization.
Soccer Statistics Database Application
Susan Lincke -- CSCI476 -- 3 students
Create, configure, test and deliver a database application used to record soccer statistics.
Countryside Animal Shelter and Kindred Kitties
Susan Lincke – CSCI476 -- 5 students
Install a combined animal and membership database into two sites: Countryside Animal Shelter and Kindred Kitties.
Graphic Markov Chain Modeler
Susan Lincke – CSCI4765 -- 3 students
A program has been developed for calculating the probabilities of different combinations of network sessions using Markov chains. This semester the goal is to improve the usability of the program, clean up the code and develop documentation. Interpolation node capability was added.
Kenall Lighting Promotions Plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 4 students
Kenall Lighting provides high abuse lighting fixtures nationwide and is looking for fresh ideas on how to reach new clients and recognize bottle necks in current marketing efforts. A promotion plan will be delivered that includes budgeting information, use of new media and a plan for better managing marketing personnel.
Landry’s BP Service Promotions Plan
Mike Manion – MKT358– 4 students
Landry’s BP is looking for a new marketing strategy to help grow the business, particularly the garage and towing part. A new marketing campaign will be developed to help Landry’s expand their business, including advertising, promotion brochures and all within a budget set by the client.
Promoting the UWP Business Major to the Local Hispanic Community
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 3 students
A promotion plan aimed at the expanding Hispanic community encouraging them to join the Business School at UW-Parkside.
CLIX Portrait Studios Promotions Plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 3 students
Identify and develop an integrated marketing communication plan for Clix to increase awareness, customers and relationships in Lindenhurst and the surrounding community.
Halo, Inc (Homeless Shelter) Promotions Plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 3 students
Creation of two separate brochures for HALO to distribute. One brochure is for donors and other for volunteers. The goal of these brochures is to increase awareness of HALO in the Racine area and increase donations and volunteers.
PAMA student organization promotions plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 4 students
Create a promotions plan that will help PAMA understand their target market and how to tailor advertising campaigns to that market.
Setrok Powder Finishers Promotions Plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 3 students
Create an advertising plan using the internet, newspaper and radio ads.
Textora Promotions plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 3 students
Create a marketing plan to determine Texora’s current target market, how to market to them and create an awareness for the company.
Prince Concert Promotions plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 3 students
Through research, pricing, promotion and budgeting, promote a concert for the artist Prince. Create budgets, flyers, media ads and incentives to attract an audience.
Racine Public Library Promotions plan
Mike Manion – MKT358 – 3 students
Create a promotional plan to help reach the library’s target markets.
Electrocardiogram Utilization for Aurora Kenosha Hospital
Abey Kuruvilla – MBA715 – 5 students
Aurora Kenosha Hospital has several departments performing EKG’s on patients. There is no consistent process of performing the EKGs. The goal is to analyze the current processes and find areas which could be improved.
Nursing Medication Project for Aurora Health Center
Abey Kuruvilla – MBA715 – 5 students
The flow of medication orders was documented and analyzed in order to identify bottlenecks and other areas of concern.
Aurora Inpatient Pharmacy
Abey Kuruvilla – MBA715 – 5 students
Provide suggestions on how Aurora Health Care can improve inventory tracking and help in reducing inventory costs.
Space Utilization at Aurora Medical Clinic of Kenosha
Abey Kuruvilla – MBA715 – 4 students
With a current patient overlap and patient volumes predicted to rise, space utilization is a major focus at the Aurora Medical Center of Kenosha. This paper outlines the problem areas of the current operation and provides detailed recommendations for improving space utilization
Aurora Medical Center Food Services Layout
Abey Kuruvilla – MBA715 – 6 students
This paper will provide suggestions on re-arranging the cafeteria to improve customer flow and improve existing space utilization.
Aurora Food Services Operation Utilization
Abey Kuruvilla – MBA715 – 5 students
Two areas of improvement in the Aurora food services operation were identified in this paper. Receiving, storage, distribution and handling must be improved. Forecasting methods must be used in menu preparation.
Menards Communication Plan
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 – 4 students
Analyze communication problems at Menards and the effect on lost sales.
UW-Parkside Cafeteria Traffic Flow Improvement
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 – 5 students
Suggest traffic flow improvements in the cafeteria to reduce customer waiting time.
Improve Throughput of the Banquet Department at the Racine Marriot
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 – 4 students
Improvements in employee utilization, training and scheduling were suggested.
Increase Efficiency in the Sorting System at UPS
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 – 4 students
Suggest a restructuring of the UPS sorting system in such a way as to inexpensively increase efficiency and reduce dependency on overtime hours.
Improve the Operations at Herbert’s Jewelry Store
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 – 5 students
Offer suggestions to improve operations in inventory, sales environment and forecasting.
Adam's Outdoor Advertising
Peter Knight – MKT354 – 4 students
Designed and conducted survey of 100 area households as to media habits and evaluation, awareness of billboards, driving habits and demographics. Presented findings to client in May at Kenosha Best Western.
Setrok Powder Finshers-Racine
Peter Knight – MKT354 – 6 students
Conducted market feasibility study for new to market electrocoating process, focusing on businesses with 50 miles of client. Presented findings to client at SEG center in May.
Fall 2007
21st Century Preparatory School Workshops
Karen Crooker – HRM442 (Improving Employee Performance) – 9 students
Nine students created and delivered three workshops for the students and/or parents of the 21st Century Preparatory School in Racine. Workshop topics included: Peer Mediation, Body Image (for 4th & 5th grade girls), and mother-daughter communication.
Non-Profit Strategic Planning Sessions
Cathleen Folker – MBA796 (Advanced Strategic Management) – 15 students
Four student teams facilitated strategic planning sessions and created an oral and written report of the facilitation including vision, mission, goals, objectives, and SWOT analysis. Organizations included: WHY Gangs; Ophelia; AHA (Arts and Humanities Alliance of Kenosha); Kenosha Community Health Center
REC Business Plan
Cathleen Folker – ENTR350 (Entrepreneurial Leadership) – 6 students
Six students worked on a rough draft of a business plan for the REC (Root River Environmental Education Community Center).
Walkin’ in My Shoes – Online Store
Stephen Hawk – MIS426 (System Development Project) – 1 student
A website was developed to sell merchandise with the Walkin’ In My Shoes Logo, sell art work from homeless artists, and sell celebrity merchandise. Also the system would allow for online donations
SEG Project Database
Suresh Chalasani – CIS721 (Enterprise Computing)
Complete the database system for keeping track of SEG projects
Automated Design System for Modine Manufacturing Company
Suresh Chalasani – CIS721 (Enterprise Computing) – 2 students
The goal of the project is to design a web based system that will calculate heat performance. The system will be using regressed equations to find the best performing and most cost effective product. The system uses ASP.Net 2.0 as the front end and VB.Net as the back end. This semester's goal is to continue on previous two semester of work and deliver a functional proof of concept.
St. Rita Parish Database Application
Will Zheng – MIS328 (Database Management Systems)
Jockey Person to Person Sales Forecasting Methods
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 5 students
Jockey Person to Person is a new sales technique for Jockey International. Sales are made via independent consultants who sell products away from retail locations. Customer orders are handled by a third party vendor, UWP-Supply Chain. The inventory stored at this vendor is based on educated guesses. This project recommended a sales forecasting technique (weighted moving average) for reducing the amount of inventory while reducing out of stock situations.
Texas Roadhouse Customer Wait Time Reduction
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 6 students
Texas Roadhouse restaurant has a significant problem with customer wait time. This project developed a recommendation for reducing this wait time by suggesting improvements in: staffing, seating/space arrangement, reservations, order taking and carryout processing.
Summit Tool Works Job Tracking System
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 6 students
Create a standardized and integrated job tracking system in Excel. The system integrates quotations, cost estimates and machine and labor costs.
Racine Commercial Airport Profit Improvement
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 3 students
The Racine airport has lost considerable revenue as the economy in Racine has worsened. Several suggestions were made to cut costs and increase revenue. They were further development of the airport site, increase marketing, benchmark fuel prices, institute lean operations and improve the fuel inventory system.
Ace Hardware Forecasting
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 6 students
Developed a weighted average forecasting model for top selling Christmas items at an Ace Hardware store in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Improving Customer Service at Chipolte Mexican Grill
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 5 students
Developed a recommendation to improve customer service at this Milwaukee restaurant by improving the kitchen layout, modifying staffing, expanding the menu and reducing prices with promotional offerings.
Improvements to the Operations at Pantry 41 Gas Station
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 6 students
This gas station can become more profitable by implementing a recommendation for a new inventory system, changing the store layout and increasing marketing efforts.
Reducing Inventory at the Dollar Tree
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 6 students
An improved inventory system was recommended based on the sales of popular items at this store in Burlington.
Improving Inventory and In-stock Percentages for Store X
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 5 students
Developed an Excel spreadsheet for calculating the average in-stock percentage for the top twenty sales departments with the percentage change from last period. Other recommendations include focusing on weekly inventory levels and utilizing the system currently used for inventory tracking.
Improve Business Operations at Ghraa International Trading Group
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 4 students
A series of recommendations were developed to improve communication within the company, implement a training program, add basic business machines and improve Internet access.
Survey Customer Base at Beachler’s Service Center
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 6 students
Surveyed existing customers as well as UW-Parkside students to help management understand their customer’s needs and wants. Based on these surveys, a series of recommendations were made to improve customer service and attract additional customers.
Improving Customer Service Time Management at US Cellular
Abey Kuruvilla – QM319 (Operations Management Principles) – 4 students
Several recommendations were made to reduce customer waiting time at a US Cellular store.
Business Plan for Mango Languages
Abbey Kuruvilla – several classes – 5 students
Mango Languages is a new venture offering online, Internet based language learning courses. A business plan was developed for Mango describing their possible market, analyzing their competitors and gathering basic financial information. This business plan will be used to attract venture capital.
Safe Haven of Racine Database Application
Will Zheng – MIS328 (Database Management Systems)
Kenosha Visiting Nurse Database Application
Will Zheng – MIS328 (Database Management Systems) – 1 student
Kenosha VNA uses a database in the 2002 version of Lotus. The size and complexity of the database is growing beyond their current database. A new database application using Access will be developed for tracking the patient’s diagnosis and insuring the MD’s orders are correctly fulfilled.
