4 Participant Environment - 4.2 Participant Access and 4.3 Getting Started

4.2 Participant Access

When registration is complete, participants return to the www.capsim.com homepage and enter their user ID and password. The next page displays a link that allows them to enter their Capstone or Foundation web pages. If Comp-XM is scheduled, participants can enter the examination from this page after the exam begins.

4.3 Getting Started

The first time participants enter the Capstone or Foundation web pages, they will see a Getting Started section. Each subsequent login will bring them to their Dashboard, however the Getting Started area remains available via a link in their menu.

4.3.1 Introductory Lesson

The company orientation begins with a brief introductory lesson. The lesson tours the sensor industry and the decisions to be made via the Capstone or Foundation Spreadsheets. Participants can then test their knowledge via a quiz.

4.3.2 The Team Member Guides

This section describes the printed and online guides. The in-depth Online Team Member Guide is also available from the participant Help link. Fully searchable, the Online Guide includes a section on running the spreadsheets.

4.3.3 The Rehearsal Tutorial

The Rehearsal Tutorial is an individual interactive exercise that introduces each department by guiding participants through a series of decisions.

4.3.4 The Capstone Courier And Foundation Fasttrack

All participants have access to industry newsletters, The Capstone Courier or Foundation FastTrack. These newsletters are a complete year-end report of the sensor industry - customer buying patterns, product placements, manufacturing capacity and public financial information. The Courier and FastTrack are available from the website's Reports link and from the Courier or FastTrack menus the Capstone or Foundation Spreadsheets.

4.3.5 Form A Company

This area discusses company formation, and has links to join a company (Tournament) or form or join a company (Footrace). See 3.3.1 Team Assignment (Tournament Only) and 3.3.2 Footrace Team Assignment).

4.3.6 The Situation Analysis

The Situation Analysis introduces the sensor market and indicates where it will be five rounds (simulated years) later.

The analysis has five parts:

• Perceptual Map
• Demand Analysis
• Capacity Analysis
• Margin Analysis
• Consumer Report

The Analysis can be done online or as a pen and paper exercise (available in the printed Guide). Companies can assign parts to individual participants, who can then report back to the group.

4.3.7 Pick A Strategy

This section links to the Online Guide's Six Basic Strategies article, which gives companies simple ideas on company direction. These strategies are not mandatory - companies can formulate any strategy they wish.

4.3.8 Additional Module Documentation

If additional modules have been scheduled, participants will find links to the online documentation in this section.