Blog #3

The recycling vending machine requires lots of hardware components. The machine needs a programed system and a graphic display like a monitor to allow communication. A memory will allow access to data and information that were processed through the machine.  The monitor can display graphics, texts, instructions and reports on how the individual recycler is doing. Another hardware that is built in the machine is a scanner. The machine needs a scanner in order to identify each material that enters the machine. This also requires databases to be installed into the scanner hardware to recognize individual bottles, cans, etc. Also, since this machine will have students swipe their IDs, an outer scanner that will recognize student’s SUID is needed. This will be another set of databases that the machine needs.

Just like a computer’s case, this machine’s case is very important too. The case determines the outer visual layer of the machine, and it can help expand the storage area for recycling. It also can be used for displaying the logo, or advertising the benefits from recycling or just make it look attractive so students can be interested in them. Another hardware that may be needed for these recycling machines is a printer. Most recycling machines have a little slip printer that has all the information of the session. This printing option can allow students to see how much they earned or have in their account. It will keep them updated and more organized.

But having printed materials lying around might lead to an identity theft. Especially because it involves student’s meal plan account and it’s their college identification number. So the printed paper will only show the first name and no written proof of any SUID or last names. All recycle vending machine sshould be programmed and connected to one mother computer. All sessions and data will be recorded in the main computer. If a session is not properly ended by mistake, then the machine will have a self-timed session ending program like in local ATMs. If by any chance, the machine breaks down the memory and data part of the machine should be properly destroyed and the machine in general should be kept as a well secured and protected device.

Blog #2

My entrepreneurial idea doesn’t require a lot of special systems but one system that it does require is to keep track of all the transactions. We need to keep track of all the items that get donated into the machine and how much and to whom it goes to. Through excel both the recycle company and the specific universities can keep track of these records. Especially during the competition events on who recycled the most, records of all the donations are needed. Through excel, we can also type in formulas to figure out the average amount students are making and how much the school is profiting from these “supercard” money.

 Different types of graphs and charts can be made to post on social media sites to show how well this machine is doing and how much it’s helping the environment. Excel can be used to figure out the statistical portion of the business. Pretty much any financial solution can be done with excel since Microsoft excel can help access any data. This can be used for the company’s own records or as marketing and advertising method.  Excel can help my entrepreneurial idea by backing up the product with positive results and statistics that can be shown to my product users and social media sites.

One thing the company needs to careful about is privacy. Whether it’s for Facebook or the machine itself, Security should be a big factor.  Since the machine scans student IDs and  deals with money, the security system needs to be tightly under control. And each session should automatically end after a certain time like an ATM machine. The social media sites should definitely be kept private but at the same time have enough general information so the public can see. Privacy and security is something that is very important for every company and it's product.

Blog #1 (Week 1 & 2)

My entrepreneurial idea for this project is to make a new recycling machine for college students. There are so many recyclable products that students just throw out. Even if college students do collect them in containers, they eventually all just get thrown out without knowing where it goes or how it affects the world. And since students get lazy, that they end up not recycling at all. So my plan is to make a machine where students can recycle and swipe their school IDs to get money. It may not be a lot of money at first, but if they are consistently recycling and being initiative, the money will stack up. For example, in Syracuse, the recycled money would get put back into individual’s Supercard money. Therefore students can recycle as much as they want and receive something back. Especially because in campus all majority drinks are sold in plastic bottles. And college students tend to have massive amounts of water bottles saved in their room to drink for a whole semester. I also noticed how many recyclable bottles we ended up with each week in that blue bin from just two people, me and my roommate. Imagine how many recyclable bottles are produced each college semester/year.

            Since my targeted age groups are teens and college students, social media marketing would be a great opportunity. They can make a Facebook group per universities to list where the machines are located and what it’s capable of. When people run out of money for food or meal plan, they have to refill from their pockets. But with these machines, they can recycle for a semester and use the money for next semester or even day by day as they recycle. Where does the money come from? The school can have a separate organization to collect all the recycled products and find a company who will pay for those. If you go to a local recycling, it works with the same system. The recycled money is only acceptable in that specific college so in theory they are getting store credit rather than actual money.

           

            This machine will have a card scanning bar and a touch screen where students can swipe their SUIDs or type in their SUID number. Social media like tumbler, Facebook & etc., will get the word out. This isn’t a product I am trying to sell, so just letting people know that this kind of machine exists will help them get interest. An example of a social media marketing plan might be if you tweet “Go Green SU” or “like” their Facebook page, they will receive a promotion code. So on the first day they try out the machine, they can type in the promotion code where they can get a little extra cash. The marketing motto could be something like “Are you broke?” to get college students’ attention and state start recycling and money on your SUID! Easy as 1 2 3! Different colleges have different meals plans so the machine system can be customized and adjusted for various universities.

           

            A blog site can blog about how recycling helps the world and just update interesting facts on how helping the environment will change the world. Even YouTube can get involved by having videos that show all the collected cans and bottles from a specific college. Another idea could be having competitions between different colleges. To see which college recycled the most or if that’s too big and broad, people can compete between dorm Halls like Dellplain vs. Ernie Davis in Syracuse.

           

            The concept of getting promotion codes from social media sites has a catch. That in order to receive those extra cash, they need to use the machine first. So they are encouraged and motivated to go check it out. Receiving the codes could go from liking a Facebook page or tweeting or referring a friend on campus or maybe even just using the machine for a year. I’ve also noticed that it’s hard to check how much money I actually have left in my meal plan or Supercard. The only way I can find out is to ask the cashier when I buy something or a vending machine. So with the recycle machine, a mobile app could be designed so students can check their account on their phone. They can check how much money was deposited or left after they recycled and keep track of how much money they are making through this machine. :)