BW1319  MAR 22,2000       6:57 PACIFIC      09:57 EASTERN


( BW)(NY-DRAPKIN/COLUMBIA) Silicon Alley Technology Management Expert Appointed To Head Columbia University's New eCommerce Track


    Business/Technology Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2000--Michael Drapkin, principal and founder of Drapkin Technology (www.drapkintechnology.com) and previously senior technologist at the Silicon Alley Web agencies Razorfish and Avalanche, was appointed Chair of Columbia University's new eCommerce program of the university's Advanced Information Technology Management program.
    Columbia's eCommerce program was established to provide managers with "real world" technology and management tools to run successful eCommerce programs, said Dr. Arthur Langer, chair of Faculty and Curricular Development of Columbia's Advanced Information Technology Management Program.
    "Michael brings years of management and technology experience and unique insights into how to run a profitable eCommerce business," said Langer. "His firm has helped many companies improve their eCommerce strategy and implementation."
    Drapkin, chair-elect of the eCommerce track, will assume his position in May. In addition to chairing the track, he will teach a course on Systems and eCommerce Reengineering for Business.
    Columbia's eCommerce track was established in the fall of 1999 to address the lack of eCommerce management experience, according to Langer. "Seventy five percent of eCommerce businesses fail because of poor management," according to Gartner Group.
    To further insure that industry needs are met, Langer said the eCommerce track has appointed an advisory board of IT executives from leading companies, including Sony Corporation of America and Price Waterhouse Coopers.
    Designed for students who are employed full-time, the eCommerce certificate program is expected to take two years to complete. Students receive a Columbia University certificate in eCommerce upon completion.
    The eCommerce track is a new area of specialization in Columbia University's Advanced Information Technology Management Program in the school of Continuing Education and Special Programs. The Technology Management program prepares experienced professionals for information technology management positions. For more information on Columbia University's Advanced Information Management Program, please see www.ce.columbia.edu/aitm.

    About Michael Drapkin

    With more than 20 years of management and technical experience at Fortune 1000 and new-media companies, Drapkin is an expert at delivering cost-effective Ecommerce business solutions. Before starting Monsey, New York-based eCommerce management consulting company Drapkin Technology in January 1999, he served as senior technologist at the Web agencies Razorfish and Avalanche. He also was a vice president at Lehman Brothers, overseeing the firm's deployment of client/server technology, including the installation of its first companywide data warehouse. His articles on eCommerce and technology have appeared in numerous magazines. His book on eCommerce, Three Clicks Away, co-authored with Jon Lowy, chief global architect for eCommerce at Deutsche Bank, and Dan Marovitz, CEO of eCommerce of Deutsche Bank, is to be published in November by John Wiley and Sons. For more information on Michael Drapkin and Drapkin Technology, please see www.drapkintechnology.com.

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    KEYWORD: NEW YORK
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS E-COMMERCE EDUCATION 
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