This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
Students taking this module will undertake one or (typically) more assignments for the Kent IT Consultancy (KITC). Each assignment will be of one of three types:
Work on one of KITC's contracts with an external client. To the extent that client-funded work allows, every student will be given at least one assignment of this type. Wherever practical, a student will be encouraged to participate in the negotiation and pricing of contracts, under the ultimate supervision of KITC management. For each assignment, the student may work on the assignment individually or as part of a group, as directed by KITC. A contribution to the infrastructure of KITC itself.
A contribution to the infrastructure of KITC itself. These assignments work in a similar way to external assignments, but with KITC as the client.
Formulating a costed proposal for the future development of KITC, and presenting reasoned argument in support of the proposal to KITC management, as a candidate for inclusion in KITC's strategic plan for the following academic year.
Total contact hours: 10
Private study hours and consultancy work: 140
Total study hours: 150
Main assessment methods
Project Report– 100%
The BS EN ISO9001:2000 Standard BSi, ISBN 580368378
John Locke Open Source Solutions for Small Business Problems Charles River Media 2004,
ISBN 158403203
Efraim Turban et al. Electronic Commerce: a Managerial Perspective Prentice Hall 2003, ISBN
131230158
Mark Norris and Steve West eBusiness Essentials: Technology and Network Requirements for
Mobile and Online Markets John Wiley 2001, ISBN 471521833
Owen Briggs et al. Cascading Style Sheets: Separating Content from Presentation APress
2004, ISBN 159059231X
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
Students will be able to formulate and evaluate technical alternatives to meet IT requirements arising from small businesses, including projects which have a medium-scale impact on the processes of the business. This includes issues of integration with existing technology and procedures, maintenance and expansion. Wherever appropriate, this will include consideration of both proprietary and open source solutions.
Students, working under supervision, will be able to estimate proposed solutions to smallscale IT-based problems in small business situations, in respect of both time and cost.
Students will be able to present technical and commercial aspects of proposed solutions to IT-based problems to clients, using reasoned argument attuned to the client's level of technical understanding.
Students will have demonstrated an ability to work to tightly-defined cost and timescale budgets, and have gained an understanding of how to respond in a professional manner to changes in client requirements, and other eventualities that raise the prospect of budget overruns.
Students will have gained detailed practical experience in applying selected areas of computing technology to meet the requirements of small enterprises.
Students will have experience of carrying out IT project work in a framework of defined procedures and processes, be able to evaluate that framework critically, and formulate practical proposals for small-scale developments to that framework so as to achieve a dependably high-quality service in a cost-effective way.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
