LBSC 690: Homework #3
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Jump the XML bandwagon
You are the head technology honcho for an organization. Recently,
your boss has caught the XML bug and can't stop talking about it. She
has charged you with XML-ifying your entire organizational process and
data store, whatever that means... Unfortunately, you don't think she
really understands what XML is/does.
Your job is to critically evaluate XML technologies with respect to
the needs of your organization, and to see if they "fit". Choose one
of the following as your organization:
- Sacred Heart Hospital. You're in charge of patient
records and your job is to make sure doctors, insurance companies,
and other hospitals get the information they need in a timely and
efficient manner. Keep in mind that the information you're storing
not only includes a patient's medical history, but also things like
x-ray film, EKG results, etc. With the recent emergence of wireless
technologies, doctors would like to access patient records from
different places: the desktop in their office, a hand-held or PDA at
the point of service (i.e., by the patient). Insurance companies
and other hospitals, however, have different needs. For one, they
should only have access to the information they're supposed to have;
e.g., if we're referring a patient to another hospital for back
problems, the OBGYN records probably shouldn't be sent along.
- Widgets International. Widgets International is the
world's biggest producer of widgets, a complex device comprised of
hundreds of parts that must be put together in an intricate assembly
line. You have huge warehouses of raw materials and dozens of
suppliers that regularly compete for your large contracts.
Maintaining your supply chain and coordinating the intricate dance
of making widgets is no easy task, but you are always looking for
ways to improve the efficiency.
Your task is to create a website that contains the following three
components (not necessary one page each):
- A brief introduction to your technologically-clueless
pointy-haired boss about what this XML thing is.
- An overview of how things are currently being done at your
organization.
- An overview of how things could be done with XML, along with a
recommendation of whether or not it's a good idea (taking into
considerations costs, disruption, migration of technology,
etc.).
In addition to substantial content, you will be expected to produce
a well-designed, visually-appealing website. Use of CSS is expected,
as well as other HTML elements (tables, lists, etc.), as
appropriate.
Last updated: $Date: 2006/08/25 02:42:49 $