Information Flow

In this course, you will have one final project that you will be working on throughout the length of the course. This project focuses on the pervasive nature of e-commerce and m-commerce. Specifically, you will be examining the partnership between Apple and Starbucks which will allow owners of an iPhone or an iTouch to download any of the last 10 songs played in a Starbucks location upon entry. Each week will focus upon a new aspect of the IT infrastructure associated with this partnership.

Download and explore the iTunes application fromhttp://www.itunes.com. Create an account if you don't have one. Creating an account is free on iTunes. Examine the purchasing process and construct a diagram of the information flow from registration to purchase. Use the Internet or other resources to find out how iTunes processes payments (if you have not purchased music yourself) so that you can include it in the information flow from download to payment.

Construct the diagram of information flow, and prepare a 4-5 page report that addresses the following questions:

• Search and provide an overview about both companies and their business models.

• What information is necessary to create an account at iTunes? Why is it needed?

• After purchase, what happens if a download is interrupted or fails? Does the system allow you to retrieve the download and, if so, how?

• Each song is considered a micropayment. Utilizing banking services for micropayments is expensive for the one contracting with the bank. How does iTunes avoid the overuse of the bank connectivity in its billing system?