CSE1ISX Home Book Store

Background

Scenario - Home Bookstore: Prototype and Implementation

Samuel Gabriel is an entrepreneur who has decided to launch his own online bookstore called 'Home Bookstore'. He has been working with his in-house IT team on the process of developing the Home Bookstore system. You have been brought in by Samuel as an independent IT consultant to assist with aspects of the development and implementation of the system.

PART A - System prototype

Samuel wants to have a sense of how the system will manage data related to books. You have been assigned the task of constructing a prototype for the Home Bookstore database that will demonstrate how book information will be held.

The store intends to keep track of the stock of books by assigning each ISBN that will uniquely identify it. Apart from this, the book title, edition number, author, publisher, description, type, genre, file size, copyright year and the rental price of the book are also expected to be recorded in the new system.

Task 1

Using Microsoft Access create a table called 'Book'.

Ensure that all the fields referred to in the scenario above are included in the table and that the primary key field is assigned. Enter at least 15 records to the table as sample data. Save the database as 'Bookstore'.

Task 2

Using Microsoft Access create a form called 'Book'.

Design a form for the 'Bookstore' database created in Task 1. The form should include the functionality to Search, Add, Delete and Update records added as part of Task 1.

Task 3

Using Microsoft Access create a report called 'Book Summary Report'.

Add a Report to the 'Bookstore' database created in Task 1. The report type generated should be a Summary Report. The report is to display all fields in the Book table you created in Task 1. Name the report Book Summary Report.

Task 4

Using Microsoft Access create a chart called 'Book Summary Chart'.

Design a Chart to the 'Bookstore' database created in Task 1. The chart type generated should be a Summary Chart. The chart is to display all fields in the Book table you created in Task 1. Name the chart Book Summary Chart.

Part B - System implementation

Task 1

One of the members of the IT team at Home Bookstore has put together a design for the user interface for the registration of a customer within the system (refer Figure 1 below). Samuel has asked you for your suggestions for improvements.

a. Control improvements: What controls could be changed to improve the usability of the interface. It is expected that you list at least five items and give a brief explanation for the inclusion of each.

b. Other improvements: Apart from changing the controls, name at least three other ways to correct/improve the interface. It is expected that you give a brief explanation for the inclusion of each.

Figure 1 - Home Bookstore User Interface: see image.

Task 2

You have been asked by Samuel to implement the new system, which is called Home Bookstore.

Perform the following tasks, explain your answer.

• Who should receive training on the new system?
• What topics should the training cover?
• What changeover strategy would you suggest for the new system?
• When should a post-implementation evaluation be conducted?

Make sure that you include appropriate references in your report.

Task 3

Samuel received an email. The email is purporting to be from his bank and claims that there is a problem with the account that he has set up for Home Bookstore. The email includes a link requesting Samuel to log in to his account to fix the problem. Samuel is asking for your advice.

• Should Samuel follow the request from the email to log in to his account via the provided link? State clearly if you agree or disagree.
• State any problem that this scenario might pose. Use at least two facts/reasons to justify your answer.

Make sure that you include appropriate references in your report.