UNC Asheville students dominated the national microsensor market in May—at least virtually. Four graduating seniors from UNC Asheville’s Management and Accountancy Department earned a simulated $690 million dollars in one semester, simply by playing a "serious" computer game. Through this experience, UNC Asheville players acquired knowledge about important business processes and placed fifth in the nation in overall profits.

This education-based computer game, known as CAPSIM, is becoming one of the latest trends in business school education. The software allows students to go head-to-head with other four-year colleges and universities from around the country and plunges them into thorny business situations.

At UNC Asheville, the simulation program gives students use the same tools they will use in a real-world office, according to Management and Accountancy Assistant Professor Tammy Huffman. This real-time simulated business environment lets students strategize, make tough decisions, and see the immediate consequences of their actions.

"I’ve been using this software as a teaching tool for 10 years now, and I encourage my students to include their experience with it on resumes and in job interviews," said Huffman. "I am especially pleased this was the first time one of my teams placed in the top 10 nationally."

Huffman divided two classes into 10 teams and challenged her students to run a multi-million dollar virtual corporation. All teams started the competition with identical microsensor companies, customers groups and products. Next, each team was allowed to organize its company, develop and implement business and marketing strategies. By the end of the game, one UNC Asheville team known as "Erie" was ranked fifth among 734 college teams for cumulative profits.

"We just dominated from day one," said C.J. Storie, team Erie CEO. "After we were ahead of the entire class, we began comparing ourselves to the nation." Other team Erie members included Frank Kelly, Josh Flynn and Jason Putnam.

Team Erie stayed in the top rankings for all eight rounds of play, which represented eight fiscal years.
"Some of the challenges we faced was deciding how much risk we wanted to take," said Storie. "Our strategy was to produce the best possible product at the best possible price."

One of the primary objectives of the business simulation model is to help students gain better insight into factors that can affect their companies’ future, according to Huffman. This broader perspective is exactly what students need before entering the job market. With a track record of a multi-million dollar profit, a top national ranking, and valuable experience gained in the classroom, the future of team Erie’s players is looking promising.

Storie, no longer a virtual CEO, recently accepted a position with Cisco Systems Management Training Program. Putnam has a new job at Volvo Construction Equipment of Asheville, Flynn is now working for Aramark in Asheville, and Kelly is applying for Officer Candidate School with the U.S. Navy.