Jayakumar.V from Cognizant

Architect

The Case Study URL for the ASAP Program is :-

http://www.codeplex.com/EAppointments

The webcasts are available on the site :-

http://www.microsoft.com/india/webcasts/ondemand.aspx

The Architecture Contest for ASAP.

I.     The Context

Event Management is a multi-million dollar industry, growing rapidly, with mega shows and events hosted regularly. Surprisingly, there are few software applications available to support this business.

Among other capabilities, the software should support the target participant needs, logistic planning and coordination of multiple service vendors.

Event Management extends to a broad category of events – from the mega-events (Olympic Games) to average sized student gatherings (Techfest at IIT-Mumbai). This problem statement focuses on large events that would cover 5000+ participants spread over multiple days. Some examples include the India Intl Trade Fair (IITF, Pragati Maidan) or a Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference.

II.     The Problem

The event must support out-of-town speakers and participants. The event will be attended by paying delegates (for specific seminars) as well as general public. The software must support the needs of the following “Actors” & Scenarios

Actors

Scenarios

The scenarios the software must support are:

1.      Trip & schedule planning for speakers (logistic support)

2.      Local transportation for paying delegates

3.      Delegate registration and tracking

4.      Enhance networking opportunities & mechanisms (technology as an enabler tool)

5.      Support and assistance (Electronic “concierge”)

III.     Some Ideas

1.      Feedback, Opinion Services: Participants can provide real-time feedback, insights about a seminar, speaker using Pocket PC’s. Such feedback could help other participants to choose seminars, or speakers to modify their presentation to suit the audience. (Need Fulfilled: More effective use of participant & speaker time)

2.      People Matching Services: Based on the input profile & feedback provided by individuals, the system could match potentially like-minded persons. (Need Fulfilled: Networking)

3.      Recommendation Services: The system could suggest sessions, meetings, local attractions, etc, based on personal preference & feedback provided (similar to Amazon.com’s “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” feature). (Need Fulfilled: Participant Value)

4.      Invitation Services: Instant (event specific) blogs. Services that help individuals invite other like-minded individuals for get-togethers, dinner meetings, etc. (Need Fulfilled: Networking)

IV.     Guidelines & Assumptions

1.      The intent of this Case Study is to focus on the high-level functional & technical architecture

2.      The proposed solution must be practical and deployable using existing Microsoft products and off-the-shelf hardware.

3.      Assume: the event organization has a significant use of information technology (Kiosks, Displays, WiFi cloud, etc)

4.      Assume: all participants have WiFi enabled PocketPC’s (or Smartphone)

V.     Our Evaluation Criteria

The software tool will be evaluated on the following criteria

1.      Clarity: Clear communication of architectural vision that satisfies the needs to event organizers (project sponsors)

2.      Practical: Solution to be implemented within the next 3-6 months.

3.      Simplicity: Reduces execution risk

4.      Innovation: Imagine, Think Different.

5.      Approach: The thinking behind the proposal. What other alternatives did you consider before closing on the final proposal.

VI.     Deliverables

1.      Mandatory:

• Architecture vision … “1-sheeter” (Exec summary) with diagram
• Architecture deliverables
  • “Solution Overview”
  • “High Level Architecture”

2.      Discretionary:

• Any other documents/diagrams to support your proposal

3.      Extra Credits: (for your Thoughts)

• Architect’s Diary: The evolution of a solution … from initial thought to final proposal

VII.     Resources

1.      MSDN Architecture Center – http://msdn.microsoft.com/architecture/

2.      Microsoft Patterns & Practices - http://msdn.microsoft.com/practices/

3.      Microsoft.NET 3.0 Framework Community – http://www.netfx3.com/

mail to:- vikramr@microsoft.com