Bringing High Technology to Maine’s Small Businesses

Thomas College Computer Visionary Scheduled to Speak to Small Business Group Today

 

Waterville, Maine ---  January 31, 2001 --  The future of e-commerce for Maine’s small businesses is now. 

     As architect of a web-based computer administrative system that Microsoft Corporation believes was the first of its kind in the United States to be used at the college level, Thomas College Director of Information Technology (IT) Christopher Rhoda is often called visionary.  Today at 4 p.m. in The Center meeting room, located on Main Street in Waterville to the rear of the Waterville Opera House building on the first floor, Rhoda will offer his significant insights to the BGR group of Kennebec County area small business owners.  The realities of the new e-commerce marketplace will take center stage during Rhoda’s presentation, providing small business owners with a framework for potentially transforming the way they pursue aspects of their business.

     Along with transforming the technological infrastructure of Thomas College, while serving as a consultant Rhoda has been assisting the Skowhegan School District with development of their own version of the futuristic web-based computer system at the College.  Rhoda’s work has attracted national attention, leading Microsoft Corporation to publish a case study on the Thomas College web-based computer administrative system in 1999.  As point man for the Thomas College (IT) services department, Rhoda’s web-based computer administrative system not only transformed the way the Waterville college does business on a day-to-day basis, but inspired high profile colleges and universities in Maine and elsewhere to follow their system model.  Rhoda points out that the same web-based computer administrative system that he developed that is now being used as a model for transforming the computer systems of high profile colleges, may also help small business owners in Kennebec County and elsewhere in Maine to reach their goals.

     Among the topics that Rhoda will cover include the effective use of the Internet and the web for businesses and organizations; Internet business space; Internet vital statistics based on United States commerce department reports; and seven important steps relating to web-based commerce.

     He will also offer a step-by-step overview of business on the web, beginning with Step 1: E-mail: uses and potential.  Step 2 will cover advertising.  Step 3 will address adding information to the web including sales materials, providing customer support, along with creating forms for feedback, surveys, and requests for information.  Other steps will cover Outsourcing vs. In-House Development and Maintenance; web enabled applications, such as linking to existing (legacy) database systems, common interface – web browser, program “logic” that resides on a server; and creating the ability to securely select and update customized and personal information from company databases.  The basis of e-commerce will also be covered, including buying and selling; accepting payments; buyer and merchant authentication; fraud detection mechanisms; web-based billing; customer service; order status queries; handling problems after the sale; and the future of web-based EDI using XML. 

     Rhoda will conclude his substantive presentation with the presentation of keys to successful commerce.