Aspects of TPS relevant to “A large retail company”

Aspecte relevante ale SPT-ului intr-o comapanie mare de vanzre cu amanuntul

Real-time transaction processing- procesarea tranzactiilor intr-un timp relativ
scurt
Manual transaction systems- sisteme de tranzactie manuale
Components of a TPS – Componente ale unui SPT
Credit card sales transactions- tranzactionarea vanzarilor cu card de credit
Database and files – baza de date si fisiere
Updating in a batch, real-time – actualizarea unui lot, intr-un timp f. scurt
Other information processes: collecting – procesarea altor informatii
Nature of work – natura muncii
Non-computer procedures – Proceduri – non calculator
Bias - bias
Real-time transaction processing
It is important in an organisation such as a “large retail company” for the
immediate processing of data & instant confirmation of a transaction (specifically
needed in a retail environment where servicing a number of customers with a
limited staff under a limited amount of time is usual). The 4 important
characteristics of a TPS stresses this. They are rapid response, reliability,
inflexibility and controlled processing. Also, the concerns of concurrency and
atomicity are important in ensuring data is not mishandled or any procedures/steps
taken are completed successfully as a group or not executed at all.
Este important ca intr-o organizatie precum ar fi o companie mare de vanzare cu
amanuntul, procesarea (prelucrarea) imediata a datelor si confirmarea instantanee
a tranzactiei ( in mod special este necesare ca intr-un magazin de vanzare cu
amanuntul, serviciile oferite clientilor sai de catre un personal limitat intr-o
perioada limitata este uzual) Patru caracteristici importante ale SPT-ului
subliniaza acest aspect. Acestea sunt de reactie ( raspunsul) rapida, fiabilitate,
inflexibilitate si verificarea (controlulu) procesului. De asemenea, se refera la
concurenta si atomicitate, fiind importante sa asigure

Manual transaction systems

Manual transaction systems are imperative in the retail environment because they
were the conceptual basis for real-time TPS. They were used long before the rise
in technology allowed for easier data collection and storage. Obviously, they have
been around since trading and business took its early strides. In smaller stalls
who still cannot afford the technology corporations use, it is necessary to use
manual transaction systems to record business activities. Manual transaction
systems are based on a clear set of rules followed by a person. They make it
easier to transmit the data into a format suitable for recording onto an
information technology e.g. a computer. Of course, computerisation of a manual
T.S. brings benefits, when used by a large retail organisation. It increases the
rate at which products are sold, which means more profit for the retail chain. The
less time taken for a customer to purchase a product is invaluable in customer
satisfaction, as there are lesser queues – therefore lesser time spent on waiting.
Also manual T.S.s provides the retail chain with information in what products are
on demand. The retail chain capitalises on this information on consumer habits and
they can tailor their products to attract more customers, thereby meaning more
profit.
Components of a TPS
People are obviously important in an operation of a TPS. They are usually
classified as users, participants and people in the environment. This
classification allows for easier role recognition within the retail chain
organisation. Users do not interact w/ the TPS but use the data provided. They
provide information about the system that is useful to the large retail chain. The
participants are the shop workers which do the actual work conducted in a retail
chain store. They enter the data into the TPSs. And the peole from the environment
are the consumers, or people who buy goods from the shop front. They become
participants when they use EFTPOS terminals located within the retail store to
purchase goods and ATMS within or outside of it. They become participants in the
sense that they directly enter transactions and perform validations.
Examples of real-time transaction processing
Reservation systems basically involve setting aside a product or service for
future purchase or use. They are common in the retail industry. Lay-by is a good
example. This involves the delaying of a valued item for future purchase. A minor
monetary deposit, usually a small percentage of the overall purchase price of the
product is then used to secure the customer the right to purchase this product at
a later time.
Examples of real-time transaction processing continued
POS terminals are used by retail stores to sell goods and services. In large
retail organisations, POS terminals send inventory data to a central computer
(sale made). We as users become participants when we use these machines to
purchase items from the store. The data is converted for easier transmission.
Relevant information and the price are displayed using barcode readers.
Examples of real-time transaction processing continued
Credit card sales transactions can be done over the internet, at POS terminals
or taking an impression of customer’s credit card. Both the POS system and the
multi-page credit slip system rely on batch processing. We use them as an
alternative to money, to pay for retail store purchases.
Databases and files
In any large retail chain/organisation, the information processes often vary. In
the handling of data, the storage and retrieval of data must be spot on. Retail
chains rely on this trait for the success of their business.
Databases and files
Good data placement: Database is designed to efficiently gain access to
frequently used data & data patterns
Short transactions: transactions can be processed fast
Real-time backup: saving data during low usage or idle time
Databases and files continued
High normalisation: data redundancy is minimised to increase update speed. Also
improves backup speed.
Archiving of historical data: old data stored in chronological order in separate
databases.
Good hardware configuration: the setup must be able to handle a number of users
and provide rapid response
Files
Master file: info about a retail chain’s business. This is where the data is
stored
Transaction file: audit trails and history for the retail chain
Report file: formatted user presentable data
Work file: temporary file
Program file: data processing instructions.
Backup procedures
Backups provide safety nets for data restoration in case of a system
crash/malfunction. Without these, the retail chain will cease to make profits as
a result of data loss. They are usually stored in a safe location.
Recovery process
When a TPS fails, data must be recovered immediately for restoration.
Journal: keeps track of company records on a physical medium.
Checkpoint: are like signposts. Indicate where, when, what data was saved in a
daily period. Syncs files and journals together for smoother transaction reviewing
Recovery process
Backward recovery: undo database changes
Forward recovery: redo database changes
Recovery manager: restores database to a previous condition
Magnetic tape
Often used. Inexpensive. Appropriate for storing large amounts of data. An
alternative to hard disk drives.
Data is read from the beginning until the end.
Suitable for most transaction backups
Grandfather-father-son
3 generations backup procedure. Son is the most recent, whilst father and
grandfather are the oldest. Commonly used in conjunction w/ magnetic tape.
Ensures data cannot be lost. A large retail chain should have more than 3
generations.
Other information processes
Collecting: entering the transaction data. The users who become participants by
using EFTPOS or ATM are the data source
MICR readers are used by banks to read account numbers on cheques
ATM: allows deposits and withdrawals for customers
Other information processes continued
Barcode readers collect product information. They scan the barcode on the
product , the details kept in a central computer. Data about the item is quickly
collected.
Forms: documents to collect data from customers. We use this to create
memberships, gain customer details and update information. There are paper forms,
such as sign on sheets; on-screen forms for computerised population of fields in a
database; web forms used by consumers to buy items over the internet.
Planning the new solution
A large retail company needs a project plan to effectively organise the components
of this project. We need a schedule for both the project and subprojects. It is
important because it will help to deliver this new solution within feasible
requirements and will minimise the effect of unanticipated problems. We need a
project goal, a deliverable and a schedule to foresee how this implementation will
pan out. A large retail chain cannot afford to compensate for costly mistakes
produced by inorganisation and undelivered goals. This will cost us in profits and
on a greater extent, the functioning of our business.
Information management software will help to manage information and schedule
tasks. Appointments and meeting within co-workers and the organisation can be
viewed electronically.
Gannt charts will be used, as they provide users a quick method of determining
whether the project is on schedule.
Designing the new solution
A top-down approach is best to designing this new solution, as problems that may
be encountered along the way can be divided into smaller segments to make solving
the problem easier.
We will ensist advice and support for programming this new solution from the
information systems personell. We will then adapt a uniform structure for the
real-time systems that will be used in the retail stores - based on a popular
application - to suit our needs. Reliability is crucial, as this new solution will
handle numerous transactions for the working/non-working weeks. Over time, we will
train our applicants/employees/participants in handling this new solution. As
such, the UMDIT stages in the development cycle will be used.
Designing the new solution continued
Context diagrams provide an easy way to visualise information. Consulting this
design tool will help in simplifying the development of the new system, as it
clearly shows the flow of data in the system.
A DFD will be used to provide more detail into what the participants can do in
regards to this new solution. It has greater detail than the context diagram.
Decision trees are very important in this retail context. Almost anyone can
immediately identify what will transpire with this solution, what needs to be done
in order to accomplish the goals, etc. it represents all possible decisions and
the outcomes of those decisions.
A Data dictionary provides a comprehensive list of the data.
Implementing the new solution
Participant training, as outlined before, will come in handy in ensuring that our
employees and workers can use the system and understand its benefits. Training
manuals will be accessible. Technical support in troubleshooting problems will be
gained online through an always-on internet connection.
Pilot conversion ensures that all our retail chain stores across Australia will
have the latest technology available to them concurrently. This also ensures that
the system can be trialled in different regions e.g. rural as opposed to urban. If
successful, the new solution is guaranteed to be functioning within acceptable
standards and will be implemented throughout the larger centres.
Of course, testing the new system ensures that it works. Diagnostic software and
general operation are examples of testing. The reliability of the backup system is
integral in the new system’s success.