Swansea Dockland Heritage Society System Specification - Coursework Example

Module System Modelling Contents 3 Collaboration Diagram to add a new book to the library 5 Alternative solutions 6 Proposed system description 6 Alternative solution two: Cloud Application 7 Accepted solution: Online Web-based solution 8 Cost Benefit Analysis 8 System hardware Specification 8 Application of Remote User 9 How the new system benefits the organisation 10 Outputs and inputs elicitation 10 Input description 11 Abstract The paper defines the design considerations made in the system development stage for the Swansea Docklands Management system. It outlines the components, modules, and architecture and interface interactions. Basically, it translates the theoretical system into logical structures that allow a developer to get an insight into the internal working of the system (Malcom & Skidmore, 2003). The represented logical structures abstract the inputs, outputs and data flows in the system. In other words the process and representations in the system are models. Keywords: Web-based, management, JavaScript, Remote, Information Technology Sequence Diagram to add a book into the library database: Collaboration Diagram to add a new book to the library Alternative solutions In library management, the software application solutions available are numerous. For instance, one can build a virtual library, use the manual system, use a cloud application for the library management etc. Another additional option is to purchase an information system off the shelf. This means that it is not a tailor made solution; therefore it may pose incompatibility problems. All these systems require careful evaluation and assessment, in order to come up with the most cost effective option that also caters for the organisational needs (Lesley, 2006). The process of system analysis and design should cover the business, or operational aspect of the organisation. This is in order to guarantee that the system makes “business sense”. The definition for business sense is a system that balances the organisational needs and the user requirements. This ensures that the end solution does not implement the business requirements and leave the user functionality (Hickie, Greasley & Bocij, 2008). Proposed system description Based on the requirements of the organisation, the system desired should introduce the concepts of automatic record keeping and digitize the library processes. The system will provide the functionality to add new books, update book details and manage non-book items. In addition, the system shall display referral links to electronic book sites and also provide purchase links. Further, the system proposed will also act as an information collaboration platform. This will coordinate the communication between the staff/management and the library members (Boehm, & Petty 1999). Alternative solution one: Virtual Library The virtual library solution provides a fully functional system that manages issuing, sale and reading of electronic books. It can be accessed via the internet by users. However, the users need to register with the library for accounts and also pay a small subscription fee. The virtual library has the advantage of cost. It is cheap to implement it as a solution and it has minimal infrastructural needs. Berndt (2002) explains that the main disadvantage of the virtual library is that it cannot hold any physical objects given that it runs on the system. The Swansea Docklands society needs a physical access and the online system is intended to bring efficiency and convenience. To publicise their library internet marketing may work, but the virtual library will not be the desired product. Alternative solution two: Cloud Application Boehm, & Petty (1999) points that cloud computing is among the most recent technology developments in the IT world that has revolutionised communication, data storage and. This technology squarely fits the needs of a museum and library management system. End users are able to access cloud based library management system using their website browser, mobile application or light desktop application. The management software and data (archive) are stored in a remote location. This option is very viable and it can support the needs of all users. However, it was rejected because of the infrastructure cost and also the costs to develop the cloud application. There are not library management systems that are cloud based and that could be easily acquired off the (Chaffery, 2011). Accepted solution: Online Web-based solution The elements of the system that gave it more power were efficiency, accessibility, flexibility and maintainability were considered first. The proposed solution for a web-based system management solution was accepted since it provided for all requirements in the system specification. First, it was cost effective and within budget. This saved the management from soliciting for more funds to put in the system development. Second the system would provide convenience to any member of the museum who has an internet connection and provide a quick search function (Doake & Britton, 2005). Cost Benefit Analysis According to Doake, & Britton, (2005) there are several perceived benefits in implementing a web-based solution. First, it is an inexpensive way to have a system that can manage users and provide convenient access to them. Second, the solution accepted allows a return on investment by hosting the referral links from Amazon and other e-book websites. In addition, publicising the organisation is easy and can be achieved at minimal cost through proper search engine optimization and internet marketing. System hardware Specification When laying plans to develop an online web-based system, the developer should have the idea of reaching a wide audience electronically. One has to keep in mind the user requirements and balance these with the return on investment from the project, especially if it is going to be on a communication or electronic commerce platform (Lesley 2006). Planning for the development will factor in the dynamic field of IT and the available technologies that are presently available. I have to consider and use a technology that is widely used or adopted. For instance, I can choose to use JavaScript for interface functionality as opposed to Flash animation. This is because JavaScript is ubiquitous and Flash will need additional plugins The system requires access devices to interact with the back end transaction processing. The purpose behind adopting a web-based system is to have multiple platform access and low infrastructure costs. For instance, there is no need to purchase new equipment or make upgrades. The existing infrastructure can suffice. These access devices include mobile phones, computers, and webserver for hosting the application (Doake, & Britton, 2005). Application of Remote User This entails GPRS enabled mobile phone, mobile phone that operates on a Java platform and the reading/editing mobile application. While on the other hand, remote user on a computer involves, High processing speed 3.0 AMD processor, Internet connection on the NIC with a 100/1000 speed Mbps, Printer for hard copy prints, Monitor for soft copy viewing Costs for the terminals Component Cost In USD CPU 400 Monitor 17 ‘ inch 170 Input device; Mouse 10 Input device: Keyboard 45 Epson Inkjet Printer 120 Flash Drive 106 Hard drive 90 How the new system benefits the organisation Intangible benefits include the publicity the organisation will receive when it implements this system. It provides an efficient and cost effective marketing tool. This means that the advertisement placed can reach the global internet community. The organisation benefits from reduced competition by the forces in the market. According to Gallardo (2002) the internet provides a level ground to compete, though one cannot ignore the paid advertisement, but the target audience is basically the same. Tangible benefits are among the money paid by referral sites. The system will also earn money for the organisation through the referral links that are hosted. This balances the organisational needs for a return on investment with the user needs for access and an information rich resource. The efficient and convenience means of access also gives the system an intangible benefit to the organisation (Berndt, 2002). Outputs and inputs elicitation Outputs First, the system processes and archives the information entered by the user. The system has to offer specific views to different users and as such it selects the information from the database. The main outputs on the system are a result of the processed information that is stored in the database (Berndt, 2002). For instance, outputs can be summaries of all or a subset of reports queried by the user from the database. A user can offer a query on all available non-book objects and this will be the output. The output aspects entail items such as records-books and non-book objects necessary to the user and administrator, it also shows Show current members and their subscription status, successful login attempts, reports on current items/objects and view member preferences in books and non-book items (Doake & Britton 2005). Input description Doake & Britton (2005) further explains that the system can only process the information that it has been given. This system is supported by a database backend that archives many records. There is need to control the information entered in the system in terms of validity and redundancy. On the user interface the developer will implement a validation mechanism that checks the accuracy of the entered information. More importantly, there should be a validation mechanism to ensure that the same information is duplicated. For instance, there can only be a single user with a unique username and password, which permits valid members details, inputs valid dates, inputs correct purchase details and helps in inputting item details such as donor, name and date (Gallardo, 2002). Ghant Chart SWANSEA DOCKLANDS MUSUEM AND LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ACTIVITY DAY OF WEEK 1st April 2012 – 09th June, 2012 1st May – 15th May 16-18 M 19-22 M 23-26 M 27-30M 31M-02J 3-6thJ 7-11J 12- 14J 15-20J System Construction System Testing Training System Demo Implementation/Changeover Bibliography Bell, D 2005, Software Engineering for students, Addison Wesley New York. Berndt, T.J 2002, Software engineering: system development lifecycle links, John Wiley and Sons, New York. Boehm, B.T., & Petty, R. E 1999, Database development: The sample client application,Prentice hall, Financial Times/New Jersey. Chaffery, D 2011, E-business and E-commerce management, Prentice hall, Financial Times/New Jersey. Doake, J., & Britton, C 2005, Software system development: A Gentle introduction, McGraw Hill Higher education, New York. Gallardo, D 2002, Creative design. Reservation system development, Morgan Kaufmann ,Massachusetts. Hickie, S., Greasley, A., & Bocij, P 2008, Business information systems: Technology, Development and management for the e-business. New Jersey: Financial Times/ Prentice Hall. Lesley, A.R 2006, Simple program design: A step by step approach, Delmar Cengage Learning, New york. Malcom, E., & Skidmore, S 2003, Introducing systems development, Palgrave Macmillan,London. Read More