BUSINESS IN THE CLASSROOM

Cases Computer Simulations have produced a range of educational software programs covering a variety of subject disciplines, including 'minority' subjects such as agriculture and political studies. The programs follow a set format, involving assimilating a wealth of information, and using it to make correct decisions at critical moments. Relevant information is presented in a variety of ways: bar charts, histograms and maps are used to very good effect, and maintain the players' interest throughout. Different levels of difficulty are also offered, and the games can be used by one player at a time or by small groups working on competition.

Aimed at older pupils and college/university students, these programs are realistic simulations of real-life situations, providing the user with valuable practice in the application of the their acquired knowledge. Schools and Colleges are placing more and more emphasis on the importance of information skills, and CCS's range of educational software certainly fills a gap in the market - there are very few educational programs available for college students, and fewer still for the minority subjects.

The programs are all for the 48K Spectrum and cost £5.95 each. They can be obtained from CASES COMPUTER SIMULATIONS, 14 Langton Way, London SE3 7TL.

According to my dictionary, 'oligopoly' means "a market situation in which control over the supply of a commodity is held by a small number of producers, each of whom is able to influence prices and thus directly affect the position of competitors."

This game is a management simulation for one to six players, and the objective is for each participant to create wealth at a faster rate than his competitors. The computer gives each player a balance sheet for the year, generates a forecast for demand and costs, and tells each manager about the capital goods industry.

Using the computer's information on price, production, marketing, research and development, new equipment and dividends, the managers have to make decisions. When each has done so, the computer compares these and displays two reports for all firms. Results may be kept secret by agreement, as the program includes the option of using a punter for annual reports, forecasts and newsflashes.

A bar chart compares the share values for each firm, and a pie chart shows each firm's share of the market. Occasionally, news of imports, overtime and changes in taxes may be flashed up on screen, and this new information may make it necessary to alter decisions.

A duration of between 2 and 50 years is selected before play begins, and a useful feature is that even if a game were to be played twice with exactly the same decisions, the results would be likely to differ as the computer generates random factors. I also like the way in which shareholders demands have to be taken into consideration as the managers decide how much of their profits to share with them! If you think you have entrepreneurial skills, try them out with Oligopoly!

COMMENTS

Control keys: clearly explained and kept as simple as possible
Keyboard play: very good
Graphics: sensible use of graphs and tables in most programs. The graphics in Airline are particularly good
Use of Colour: limited

A business management simulation game in which companies have to be run by one to six players; they have to show a suitable degree of business acumen.

Brian: Oligopoly is a very complex game which seems to succeed as an excellent business simulation. Sometimes it says 'Press any key', waits for a while and then goes ahead without a keypress - which is annoying because it s difficult enough to show a profit without anything else going wrong. 7/10

Ieuan: As a business program, it doesn't sell itself very well and seems as though it was originally written for the ZX81. It would probably benefit from a splash of colour and a new character set. 6/10

Dilwyn: It has a facility to use the printer if desired and the computer can run a rival firm. Perhaps there could be some educational uses here. 6/10

MACHINE: Spectrum 48K
JOYSTICK: No
CATEGORY: Simulation
SUPPLIER: Cases Computer Simulations
PRICE: £6.00

A little number for aspiring capitalists. You're the managing director of a company whose assets you have to make grow with all the greed you can muster.

It's called Oligopoly, partly to rhyme with 'Monopoly' and partly because you're unlikely to get the market all to yourself. Certainly not with six people playing as is permitted by the program. (But you can also settle down alone with your Spectrum for a little private profit-taking.)

At the start of the game you are given a set of statistics about your firm. You are also given a forecast on expected demand in the coming year.

On this meager basis you have to make a series of decisions: the price you'll charge for your product this year, how many you'll produce (too many and you incur overtime bills), how much to allocate to research, marketing and dividend payouts.

After the other players have done the same for their firms, the program shows what's happened to each firm's assets. This is followed by more detailed statistics revealing your gross and net profits and other titbits.

The big test of business simulations is: how realistic are they? A hard question to answer in this case, but I certainly didn't discover too many idiocies.

Put your price up, your marketing allocation down and your sales are likely to plummet. Undercut the other firms, and your product will sell well, but you may not cover your costs.

So if you want to run the rat race in the comfort of your own front room here's your chance.