Database Website Car Valet
It's time now to look at how the designing and building of database system and the creation of website for 5 Star Car Valet was carried out by the analyst to complete this project. The analyst set out the objectives before the start of the project to meet user's requirements. The objectives were follows below;
- To design and build a database system and a website for 5 Star Car Valet.
- To follow dynamic system development method techniques to produce a new database system and website.
- Built database and website in less time scale.
- Improve customer's service.
- Database and the website needs to be quick and efficient.
- Database should reduce the manual work that is carried out on daily basis.
- Website should have all the information available to the customers about the 5 star Car Valet.
The analyst decided to use DSDM techniques to produce database and website for Mr. Patel business. This was because the time scale available to the analyst and DSDM is the methodology that produce systems in short amount of time. The analyst had previously studied DSDM and had some knowledge about DSDM, so both this decision made DSDM a faster approach and more suitable for this project.
The analyst started the project in January 2008 with the agreement of Pate Singh to use DSDM to produce system for car valeting service. Analyst started researching on DSDM to gain good knowledge of the methodology so it can be applied to the system development approach for a database system and a website.
Workshops were held and attended by all parties on regular basis to keep an update of how the project is doing. The analyst kept in mind all the needs of the chicken and pizza junction database system and the website.
The needs are the important aspect of the system development as if users does not want such things in prototype then there is no need for the developer to build something that does not meet user requirements as it will be wasteful. To identify 5 Star Car Valet needs a requirement document was analysed and documented, this helped to understand the agreement between system developer and the owner of the business. After everything was agreed and understood then the project went underway.
Analyst highlighted the requirements of 5 Star Car Valet and decided on how that was to be achieved. To meet user requirements analyst started researching the methods listed and found the way on how to achieve the needs. 5 Star Car Valet wanted to improve their services to staff and customers to make the job easier, quicker and convenient.
The database system was design and built in Microsoft Access 2003 and website in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX 2004. Microsoft Access was used to implement the database system as Microsoft Access creates reports and queries and also make full use of automated procedures. Dream weaver was used to create website as it is very easy to use and does coding itself.
The other ways analyst could have improve the research was to contact a professional analyst, who can have given a professional advice and information in how the project for % Star Car Valet should have been completed in introducing new database system and a website to the business. Observation was very handy as the analyst viewed the staff of 5 Star Car Valet carrying out the work manually and using the computerised system.
Staff and customers representative were given out questionnaire that helped the analyst analyse the views of the staff and customers of the current manual system and what further improvements can be made. Questionnaire of both staff and customers can be viewed on appendix…. Questionnaire shows that the regular customers will visits chicken and pizza junction on regular basis as they provide quality foods with good customers service. They visits the take-away as their foods are delicious and cheap compare to the other take-away's around the bury park area. The staffs was happy with the regular customers that takes food on loan and orders food over the phone but there was problem that when a customers ring in to order foods, Sometimes staffs forgets to writes their name on paper or the address, that makes problems at the end as staffs doesn't know that which customer ordered and on which address it needs to be delivered. Staff would like the booking and customers details to be changed to more manageable and easier, a computerised database system was introduce during analysis in a workshop that was carried out in the early stages of the project. A website was also proposed that will advertise their business locally. The feedback from staff was analysed and the analyst decided that a database system is the solution to most of the problems that chicken and pizza junction are facing.
The interview of Patel Singh manager of 5 Star Car Valet was very handy, which was carried out by the analyst before the project started. Patel Singh helped the analyst decided how the project should be completed, what the features the system should have and what the database system should include. The manger Patel Singh also gave some suggestion about how the website should be and what should be included. Every stage needed approval from the management, staff and the customers as the analyst completed something it was shown to all the users involved in the project development, if they were happy with the system so far then the new development approach would be stepped on. The analyst also found personal information of zahid hussain about his views on the business and what he would like to see improved. Mr Zahid hussain enjoys working in the shop himself because of the friendly customers he has and his presence is necessary at daytime as he deals with all the deliveries, billing etc. The analyst wrote all the information about the away the current procedures are carried out, including the problems chicken and pizza junction is facing such as delivery records gets lost or staff forgets to write it down in the register, staff wages as some times Mr zahid put wrong hours to different persons and customers ordering over the phone seems to be a big problem as their details get mixed. The main aim of zahid hussain is that he would like to see the customer's information (customers that takes foods on loan), customers order over the phone and payment details to be changed to computerised system, he also would like to have a website for the business that will allow customers to view information about the business. The cost of the database and the website was discussed by analyst and zahid hussain at the interview. Cost had to be kept low system and the website to be produce for chicken and pizza junction.
The literature review explained the methodology in detailed, which is to be followed to develop a database system and creates a website for the take-away. Development life cycle and the nine principals were to be applied at all time for this project. Users were actively involved throughout the development process. The requirements were changed all the times as users suggested some changes. Different sources were researched to complete the literature review that was to be completed before the final report. There were several areas searched such as DSDM text book, DSDM consortium, lecture notes on DSDM and other different websites.
DSDM methodology defined all the methods of research which was to be undertaken for the analyst to identify all the requirements for the new database system and the website. The method used were questionnaire for staff and customers to get their view about current and new computerised system and observation to watch the users performing task manually and using computerised system, also the whole area was inspected to see where all the files were kept.
The case study explains the business in details, it was for the analyst to get the knowledge of the business and gets to know the users of the business. Most of the DSDM was used to produce the systems such as all the five life cycle stages and the nine principals were applied on both the database system and the website.
The analyst demonstrated different interfaces and websites to the user to give them idea how their final database system and website will look like. Prototypes for both the database and website were design by the developer and shown to the users, any changes users wanted to the prototypes were added and any part of the prototypes users were not happy with was taken out from the prototypes by the developer.
The manager, staff, customers and analyst worked together at all times to build the systems successfully as every user's involvement was essential. The combine effort of all users of the project helped to build the system at Microsoft Access and dream weaver quickly as everyone helped each other and the produced system was viewed by all parties in the workshops. If users suggested any improvement to be made to any system then the analyst will stop further development and improve the system till users were satisfied with the system and then go ahead with the further development.
The final system that was built in Dream weaver and Microsoft Access was completed by the analyst during September 2004 and May 2005. Chicken and pizza junction staffs were given training, once they receive training they felt very comfortable with using the system and enjoyed it more than the manual work that wasted lots of their business hours.
All the aims and objectives of the system development were achieved. These were to follow DSDM techniques and produce a system within limited time for the take-away. DSDM is best known for where the project needs to be produced in short time frame work and less budget. These are the outcome that were achieved are ;
- Computerised database system and website for the take-away.
- Produce a database system in Microsoft and website in Dream weaver.
- Faster and efficient system.
- Consistent and reliable website.
- Improve performance to customers and staff.
- Customers' details (customers that take foods on loan) produced for zahid hussain.
DSDM techniques were followed to achieve these outcomes of the project. The whole project for chicken and pizza junction was completed in short time available. There was a combine effort from the analyst, staff, management and customers to produce a successful database and website for zahid hussain business. The main users were the analyst, staff, manager and customer working on the project and the users were giving ideas to the analyst that what the system should include and suggestion of some changes. As analyst was the main user but not the only, staff and customers worked in the development process together, which is a technique used in DSDM method.
The website and database system has many features that are;
- Database system allow staff to book orders
- Manager can add delete and save customers, suppliers and employees details.
- Records and manages customers.
- Reports available to the management.
- Multiple users can access website at any time.
- Full information available of the business.
6.0 Conclusion and Recommendation
After through systems development process for the completion of the project final system has been produced the chicken and pizza junction. The aim of the project was to design and build a database system to overcome with chicken and pizza junction problems and create a website to advertise their business widely. A computerised database system has been produced for the take-away in Microsoft Access 2003 and the website has been produced using Dream weaver. All the research that has been researched from different sources has been taken into consideration in proposing the appropriate system for the business to use that should be beneficial to users of the system and management of chicken and pizza junction. The production of database system and the website will enable the take-away to achieve their long terms requirements.
The analyst, staff, management and customers contributed well towards the completion of database system and website. A Gantt chart was created as a guideline to complete the whole project. This includes all the tasks, which needs to be completed, how the task needs to be carried out and duration of each task by having start and end dates of each tasks. It was used as guide through most of the project.
The requirements of chicken and pizza junction were identified before the start of the system development process, which were then concentrated to complete the project. The requirements are;
- To replace the paper based system to a computerised database system.
- Database system must allow staff to book customer order over the phone.
- Should not be time consuming when booking order over the phone.
- Database system should be user friendly for the staff to use.
- Also to create website that will display all the information about chicken and pizza junction.
- Website should be easy to use not complicated for the customers.
- Training provided for management and staff
- Database system security, so unauthorised person cannot access the database system.
The above requirements of have been met of chicken and pizza junction by recommending a database system and a website that meets all of the above.
The users of both the database system and the website will get the following benefits which are;
- Staff and customers will be more satisfied with the customer's service given because of the new system in place.
- There will be less paperwork
- Business details can be viewed on the website.
- Database and website is less time consuming.
- Customer's details that take foods on loan will be stored accurately and efficiently.
The hardware for the database was chosen by the analyst as the analyst looked at different hard wares. The software packages were identified once the hardware has been chosen the software completed to implement the software. This was completed by the price of hardware, software and cost of installation. All the benefits of the software were identified once it was chosen as well as its features and the benefits Mr Zahid business will have from the new database system and the website. The website will go through web hosting and will be put on the server to be available to use but the database system would be installed quickly as database is needed urgently.
Security features on database system will be placed once the hardware and software is installed. Then username and a set password that have been put as “pizza” and the username is who ever is logging in to use the system. Although there is no security features placed to enter the website because it only have information about chicken and pizza junction.
Through evaluation of the new system in place a review was carried out to evaluate the benefits of the database system and website and this has been successful when evaluating the benefits. The benefits of both the website and database were identified.
Different sources had been searched and methods had been used to complete the system development process. It was useful and beneficial as research came from a number of different areas that include;
- Interview of the manager of chicken and pizza junction at the shop.
- Questionnaire given to staff
- Questionnaire given to customers
- Observing staff of chicken and pizza junction at work
- Research on DSDM from text books, internet and university lecture notes.
- Visiting different stores such as Pc world and Dixon's.
- Looking at the computer magazines for the new hardware prices.
The research that was carried out by the analyst on chicken and pizza junction showed that the current method used to operate the business needs to be updated. The current system is preventing chicken and pizza junction business in performing its very best.
The development approach of both the database and the website was always looked upon to ensure all objectives were met successfully. The creation of the Gantt chart was most advantageous, which listed all the steps of every part of the system development.
User guide of both the database system and the website will be given to management, staff and customers reps to ensure they become familiar with the new database system and the website. The staff of the chicken and pizza junction will also be trained to use the database system at work.
The analyst carried out the cost analysis that helped to identify how much the hardware, software, installation and training users will cost. The analyst also analysed that what benefits the business will gain from the database system and the website. It is not always possible to state all the tangible and intangible benefits, as they may occur when using the system and the website. Some tangible and intangible benefits that may occur with the use of database and website are;
Tangible benefits
- Reduction in customers complaint
- Reduction in time wasted by staff doing paper work
- Less data processing
Intangible benefits
- Decision making been increased
- Data more secure
- Increase in data integration
- Increase security of information
Overall the systems that have been produced by the analyst have met the user requirements. The whole parts including large and small parts were looked into to create a successful database system and a website such as software and hardware needed equipment, coding, file management, outputs and inputs, data storage, training, security, retrieval and transfer and the cost to put both the system and the website together.
Microsoft Access 2003 and Dream weaver software's were used because they were easy to use and both applications were already available to buy from the market. There is not a great deal of coding required for the production of database system in Microsoft Access as there are many wizards available with the software to help build the system. There are wizards for the productions of forms, table's reports and queries. The analyst had little knowledge about the Microsoft Access which was very helpful. Analyst also used text book and internet and was able to produce a database system for chicken and pizza junction. Dream weaver that was used for the creation of the website also does not needs lots of coding as it does coding itself. The analyst also had little knowledge about the dream weaver and with the help of text books, internet and friends helped the analyst to design a good website for chicken and pizza junction.
The analyst decided not to use the applications that has to be produced from the scratch because of the time available the analyst had to produce a system quick and in short amount of time available and the analyst did not had good knowledge about any other applications. Dream weaver and Microsoft Access were also easy to use by chicken and pizza junction because of their simple interfaces it contains and most users have used Microsoft Access and websites before so it should be quite simple to use these applications.
Recommendation
The recommended software's are Dream weaver and Microsoft Access, with the website and database produced in these applications with the full use of images, flash, forms table's etc. The productions of both the website and database system were made using graphical user interfaces. Both this software's had many good features and that didn't have problems with the software at use. Staff of chicken and pizza junction was satisfied and happy to change from the old system to new system and took a little while to book customers order over the phone or display customer's information that takes foods on loan and adding new details to those information.
Database system was recommended as from an other kind of application such as Microsoft Excel with the use of spreadsheet. This was because the database suited the software at chicken and pizza junction, Microsoft Excel was much harder to produce and didn't make full use of reports and queries. And Dream weaver was also recommended from any other kind of applications as they have lots of coding while dream weaver didn't had much involved in it. The database system and the website meet all the requirements of chicken and pizza junction. These have been observed in the observation been carried out by the analyst when the system and website were being used at chicken and pizza junction. The database was sold at reasonable price to the business as well as website which include designing and web hosting price. The use of form was a great advantage to the staff as this made it simpler to enter new customer's details and also find details. As in the website the flash was advantageous because it added all the relevant images of chicken and pizza junction to the website and all the images on every page was relevant to the menu of the take-away, it was easy for the customers to choose from. The graphics used in the forms made it simpler for users to learn and use the system. The graphical user interfaces included graphics, picture, text, animated and use of command buttons that helped the users use the system with ease.
DSDM methodology was used because this relates to the database system and the website. This technique was quick and helped users to work together. The analyst recommended DSDM for chicken and pizza junction to use as this method was fairly basic to understand as it didn't have many technical features. This method is not very expensive as chicken and pizza junction could afford only this methodology with the budget they have to spend on the system. Dynamic system development method projects are successful most of the times, chicken and pizza junction could not afford to take on development approach without knowing that the database system and website produced is going to work for them as there is not a lot money available to be spent on both the database system and the website. DSDM suited chicken and pizza junction as they had the following features;
- Right development approach for both database and website.
- Common understanding of DSDM through presentations made on workshops by the analyst.
- Management involved.
- Team environment..
- Use of DSDM.
The database system also has the feature to allow users to view reports on screen. For example the staff might want to print details of customers or suppliers in report format, they can simply click on report and select form and then press print which will then print suppliers details in report format rather the form format that have boxes and buttons on it.
The database system avoids the problem faced with being over worked as most of the work staff use to do before the system will complete such tasks of finding customers details from the register as used previously. The website will allow customers to view information about the business, this way the business will be advertised and increased widely.
The following are the features of the database system;
- Forms to enter details of customers, supplier and customers and allow booking of customers order over the phone as well as making reservation.
- All the details stored on the database memory.
- System allows printing of reports.
- Allows staff to search easily for customers details than the manual system.
- System avoids unauthorised person to access the system and gives warning when system is closing.
These are the features of the website;
- Website gives information about the business.
- It gives menu of chicken and pizza junction to choose from.
- Contacts details are available.
The database system and the website is most suitable for chicken and pizza junction because they meets all the requirements and contain good features that will help chicken and pizza junction in the running of their business.
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