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Thesis Proposal
Prepared
by
Basava Krishna Mohan Kunamneni


Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences
September 2014


Title: Design and implementation of an interface between a social media
platform and a Customer Portal for the utilities based on SAP NetWeaver

A proposal submitted for the Degree of Master's in Usability
Engineering




Proposed Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Karsten Nebe
Proposed Co-supervisor: Mr. Dipl.-Inf. karagiorgos




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Table of Contents
1. Introduction / Background
1.1 Idea
1.2 Scope
1.3 Motivation
2. Problem Statement
3. Proposed Methodology
3.1 Project Overview
3.2 Project Phases
3.3 Analysis
3.4 Requirements
3.5 Architecture
3.6 Implementation and Testing
3.7 Development
4. Aims & Objectives
4.1 Goals
4.2 Risks
5. References








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1. Introduction / Background
The growth of technology has increased considerably which provides opportunity to do
everyday activities much more efficient and usable. Using SAP NetWeaver Portal,
organizations can give their employees, customers, partners, and suppliers a single
point of access to the company applications, services, and information needed for
conducting daily work (1). With the help of SAP NetWeaver portal, energy provider
companies can run their business more smoothly and effectively.

In recent days social media platforms also plays a vital role in Business to Business
processes. It is becoming an increasingly important part of any businesss marketing
and client base development platform. The perception of social media marketing has
shifted quicklyno longer viewed as a trendy or passing fad, having a flexible and well-
managed presence in each of the big three (Facebook, Twitter, and Google+) has
become a must for any business seeking to secure a place in both the traditional and
digital marketplace (2).

In this project, I will first analyze about different social media platforms using by the
energy provider companies in Germany and the purpose of the usage of Social media
platforms in their business process. I will also examine the various ways like biometric
login, login with the help of social media portals, and any other easier pathways to login
into the customer portals of energy provider companies. And also investigate on
uncommon traditions used for the registration process of energy providers customer
portals. This makes the registration and login process easier and flexible than earlier for
the customers of energy provider companies.

1.1 Scope
The scope of this project is limited to the identification of different methods or routes
used for the registration and login process of the customer portals of energy provider
companies. The main goal of this project is to implement and develop an interface that
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makes the registration and login process much easier than before to save the companies
valuable resources and the customers important time.


1.2 Motivation
To check the energy consumption details users have to login into their respective portal
provided by the energy provider companies but some customers are facing difficulties
while doing so. Because they need to remember the login credentials of many sites
which they use in day to day life, which is not desirable. In case, if the user uses same
password for different sites, security will be at stake. So, this project is aimed at
reducing the difficulties of user by allowing them to login into portal provided by energy
companies using login credentials of social networking sites e.g. twitter.
User have to remember
Every website or social media platform has its own user login credentials which allow
the users to access into their accounts. In this context, customers of energy provider
companies need to remember their user id and password to enter into the respective
portal, to check their energy consumption details, etc. Incase, if the user uses same
password for different sites, security will be at stake. With this research project, I
propose to analyze how the existing and new energy providers in the SAP NetWeaver
portal connected with the social media platforms. And also, to address the difficulties
and rectify the problems which customers of energy provider companies are facing while
logging into their website portals.

2. Problem Statement
In this modern age, every house or institution or organization needs electricity to run
their electrical and electronic appliances. In order to get electricity, users make a
contract with energy Provider Company. Then, the users are provided with login details
to access their account. With this they can check their consumption details, payment
details, and all the necessary information.

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Like social media platforms, energy providers portal is not frequently used by the
customers. Generally the users tend to access the portal in rare situations, like extra
amount billed or for checking new plans, etc. So the customers might forget their
passwords and unable to access their accounts. For retrieving the password through
email or by customer care center is a burden to both customers and the companies. This
will consume customers time and companies resources.

3. Proposed Methodology
Now a days people often use social media platforms in their daily lives. So connecting
SAP NetWeaver portal with social media platform makes the login process easier. This
can be done as follows

3.1 Project Overview
3.2 Project Phases
3.3 Analysis
Analysis of the ways in which customers of different energy provider companies in the SAP
NetWeaver portal connected with social media platforms can be performed by using some
usability methods.

3.2 Implementation
Implementation of Single sign- on (SSO) with a leading social media platforms (Facebook or
Google plus or Twitter) will be done.

3.3 Development
Using Web technologies and Java language, development of Single sign-on (SSO) in the login
interface will be done.



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4. Aim & Objectives
4.1 Goals
4.2 Risks

5. References


1. https://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw73ehp1/helpdata/en/f6/ac978061ac4b2
4a87a1f821313c4fe/frameset.htm
2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/moneywisewomen/2012/08/08/the-
developing-role-of-social-media-in-the-modern-business-world/