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.

If it's your ambition to be the chairman of a large company, now is your chance to assess your potential. In this simulation, you adopt the role of chairman of L-Air, an airline which starts up business with £3 million. You have 7 years to increase your net assets to the £30 million necessary to take over British Airways! You have to decide on the number of aircraft to operate, whether to buy or charter the level of staffing and maintenance necessary, the duration of fuel contracts and when to repay loans.

Problems encountered include tax demands, increases in fuel costs. and loss of revenue resulting from cancelled flights, strikes, hijacks, air crashes and sabotage.

The information is presented through histograms., bar charts and graphics. The first chart displayed is a bar chart showing a forecast of the passenger payload for each level of activity. Using this information, the player must decide on the best aircraft to use, and then finalise his choices after looking at the level of revenue expected. When this is above normal, it may be cheaper to borrow money and buy aircraft instead of chartering.

The market rate for each DC10 is £10 million, and when aircraft are purchased for more than this amount, the additional cost is debited against the capital reserves. thus reducing net assets. Crew costs are fixed at £50.000 per DC10 while the cost of maintenance is £90.000 for each aircraft. Results of trading are shown in the form of profit and loss accounts and balance sheets.

The graphics are excellent, and the player's interest is maintained throughout by the constantly changing information - you can even read Financial Times reports and receive Telex messages. If you succeed in reaching the target of £30 million. then perhaps Richard Branson may have a rival!

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

Producer: CCS, 16/48K, £5/6.00

Start off with £3 million and turn in into £30 million and take over British Airways. Hijacks, strikes, crashes and rising fuel costs all take their toll. If you enjoy strategy games revolving around empire building, then CCS are the people for you. Clear text and illustration graphics. Good value for money.

Producer: CCS, 16/48K,
£5/6.00

Start off with £3 million and turn in into £30 million and take over British Airways. Hijacks, strikes, crashes and rising fuel costs all take their toll. If you enjoy strategy games revolving around empire building, then CCS are the people for you. Clear text and illustration graphics. Good value for money.

Producer: CCS, 16/48K,
£5/6.00

Start off with £3 million and turn in into £30 million and take over British Airways. Hijacks, strikes, crashes and rising fuel costs all take their toll. If you enjoy strategy games revolving around empire building, then CCS are the people for you. Clear text and illustration graphics. Good value for money.

Two simulation games are available from Case Computer Simulations. Autochef allows you to work your way up as manager of a small catering company. At first you have to avoid being taken over by Trust House Forte - later if you survive you can try to take over Forte yourself. Airline is exactly the same as Autochef except that you are running a small airline.

The main objective of this game is to increase your net assets of £3 million to £30 million. It may sound easy but is it not, because you only have seven years in which to do it.

The game begins with an urgent telex telling you that the Civil Aviation Authority has granted you a £1 million trans-Atlantic licence to fly DC10s from Gatwick. Then you are given a bar chart estimating payloads for these DC10s. Then comes a line graph of charter rates for each quarter of the year. You must then decide on how many DC10s you wish to charter; this is done from the previous pieces of information. Then, another decision must be made on levels of crew and maintenance. You must then key in the amount of insurance cover you need. This is usually followed by a disaster namely a highjack, a crash or sabotage, this is why it is usually best to have full insurance cover.

As well as these things happening you can also decide on whether or not to sign a fuel contract with Saudi Arabians. But occasionally this is unwise. Sometimes the Americans prove unfriendly claiming that you are not paying sufficient taxes.

At the end of each year you are shown a profit and loss account and then a balance sheet. Then comes a Financial Times report which tells you how well you did or didn't. A way of getting a very good Financial Times report is an investment in the form of buying a DC10 but this is only achieved when your airline is doing well. If you get a really terrible report the receivers close in and liquidate L-Air.

This is an excellent game which really tests your business skills and initiative but if you buy this expecting very good graphics or an addictive game like 'Space Raiders' you will be very disappointed.

Airline retails at £6.95.