Transaction Processing Systems - Term Paper Example

Transaction Processing Systems These are information systems that collect, modify, store and retrieve data from transaction records. Transaction processing systems offer data processing and output functions for the vital operations of a business (Davoren). Transaction processing systems (TPS) collect relevant information from the user inputs and create outputs based on collected data. TPS systems meet event tracking and record keeping needs within a business. TPS also run an analysis of the stored data to meet information needs of the end users. Examples of TPS include online air ticketing and booking systems where travelers select flight schedule and favorite seats (input). The system displays an updated version of available seats and removes the already selected ones (processing). The system generates a bill and ticket copy (output). TPS is based on batch processing or real-time processing. TPS are vital to businesses since it helps owners to meet demands without the need of extra personnel (Davoren). TPS offers four important characteristics to a business, they offer; reliability, response, controlled processing and inflexibility. Rapid Response; customers cannot afford to wait for TPS to respond, the wait time from the input by the customer to output production should be a few seconds. If a TPS fails to have a proper rapid response time, it will lead to huge losses in the business. Reliability; a TPS breakdown will disrupt or stop normal operations of a business. TPS systems must have low failure rates, and if failure occurs, accurate recovery must be a possibility. Reliability enables a company to design backup and recovery procedures. Inflexibility; a good TPS ensures that every transaction is handled in the same manner regardless of the user, time of day or customer. If a TPS is flexible, it means that there are too many opportunities even for non-standard operations. Controlled processing; a good TPS must support the operations within an organization; TPS should maintain and enforce roles and responsibilities. A good TPS should minimize the costs of an organization by bringing down the data handling times and also provides accurate and timely database updates. All these aspects of a TPS are imperative for steady business development and growth. Real-Time Transaction Processing and POS Terminals Real-time transaction processing equates to immediate data processing. It requires access to an online database to give instant confirmations. A real-time transaction involves the use of a workstation or terminal to input data and display (output) TPS results. It is made up of a computer network that links terminals to a server that contains the online database. Real-time processing contains large user bases that are simultaneously carrying out transactions to alter data. With each user processing small record numbers, requests are made at the same time. Examples include; Reservation systems that are used extensively for any business type and Point of Sale Terminals. Point of Sale Terminals is commonly installed in retail stores and supermarkets to sell goods and services. In large retail stores, POS terminals send data to a central server when a sale is made; the server carries data processing for an entire chain. By immediately processing the transaction data, the POS terminal brings down batch handling costs. POS terminal converts the data to an easily transmittable form through the communication system; this is the main accomplishment of centralized data processing. A POS gives the correct product price by using barcode readers. Once the reader obtains the barcode number from the product, it provides the price and all its relevant information. Wal-Mart is a good example of a store that uses the SUSE Linux POS Terminal. SUSE Linux POS Terminal Application in Wal-Mart SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Sale ensures retailers to focus on the customers by ensuring excellent service delivery. SUSE Linux POS enhances product sales, improves customer satisfaction and loyalty. The package assesses the highly moving products, works seamlessly with suppliers and partners and equips managers with tools and information. It also ensures security of all operations. SUSE Linux Enterprise POS can be managed remotely using SUSE Manager. It offers high availability using the latest extensions. It can also work without a network connection and offers download of system images. The package also uses identification and role functionalities separately. It can also be tailored to the retail stores needs, for example; Wal-Mart (Suse.com). Wal-Mart uses the SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Service (SLEPOS) which has been tailored to meet their needs. It ensures the identification, pricing and payment of all products. Its features have enabled Wal-Mart to create the advanced technology to become among the worlds largest stores. In Wal-Mart, SLEPOS has a graphic user interface for the creation and management of images. It offers centralized administration and is easy to install and update. The POS system in Wal-Mart has an add-on in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) where products are tagged to hold electronic information. These tags are electromagnetically read at the till to give it an association. The system has a centralized server that serves multiple branch servers. Branch servers are responsible for booting all client facing terminals. The system offers upgrades that improve security from Linux operating system (Expertmarket.us). Interview I sent an e-mail to the branch manager of Wal-Mart located at 400 Park PI, Secaucus New Jersey. Asking if it was possible to arrange an interview with one of the stores information systems handlers, He agreed, and I was able to interview Dan Watson, a Point of Sale Terminal operator. The Interview was as follows; Question; what point of sale system do you use? Answer; the SUSE Linux Enterprise, POS 11 with the latest service pack, 3. Question; how much training did u require to learn the system? Answer, approximately five days. Question; who conducted the training? Answer; the store manager who was trained by the SUSE employees. Question; how much time does it take from input to output? Answer; around two seconds. Questions; does it have issues with bar code readers? Answer; no. Question; are there instances when the system freezes? If so are you trained to fix the problem? Answer; if a system develops problems, we have been advised to alert the manager to handle the situation, but we have never experienced such a problem. Conclusion After that interview, it is quite clear that SLEPOS offers stability, efficiency and ensures smooth running of the store. Transaction processing systems are vital to businesses, and a real-time transaction should be highly reliable. Point of Sale terminals should ensure identification, pricing and payment of products while updating the server. The process should be done at fast rates to avoid queuing while maintaining efficiency. SUSE Linux POS terminal is among the top products in the market and has propelled Wal-Mart to its current status. I would become a customer or a user of this system. Reason being, knowing one of the largest retail stores in the world uses this system means that it is highly efficient. Works Cited Davoren, Julie. Types Of Information Systems In An Organization. Small Business - Chron.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. Expertmarket.us,. What Point Of Sale System Does Walmart Use? | Expert Market US. N.p., 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. Prenhall.com,. Information Systems - Useful Cases. N.p., 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. Suse.com,. Stay Supported With Strong Ecosystem Of Vendors | Features | SUSE Linux Enterprise Point Of Service. N.p., 2015. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. Read More