Improving Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness in Transactional Processing Systems in Uganda Using a Web Based Approach Case Study Nakana Coffee Factory Limited

Abstract 

This research was set out to design a dynamic website for Nakana Coffee Factory to enable both staff and clients interact with information in an accurate and efficient form. The principles and steps exposed to information systems design were followed. The researcher used Object Oriented Analysis methodology, where 00 design was found lacking, and principles espoused to structured system analysis were considered. Data collection was through interview and reading. The data collected were analyzed using UML for conceptual drawing and user interface requirements. System design was done in two phases, user interface design using macromedia Dreamweaver, and database design using MySQL database. The complete system runs or was tested with the help of Apache server and implemented. The prototype system running however could be improved using ORACLE in case the database grows bigger.

Table of Contents

Declaration ii

Approval iii

Acknowledgement iv

Dedication v

sList of figures vi

Table of Contents vii

Abstract X

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1 .0 General Introduction

1.1 Background of the study

1 .2 Problem statement 2

1 .3 Objectives 2

1.3.1 General Objective 2

1.3.2 Specific Objectives 2

1.4 Scope of the Study 3

1.4.1 Geographical scope 3

1.4.2 System scope 3

1.5 Justification of the study 3

CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 4

2.0 Introduction 4

2.1 Web-based information system architecture 4

2.2 Core benefits of web based applications 4

2.3 Information technology and information systems 6

2.4 Middle ware 7

2.4.1 PHP 7

2.4.2 Scripting or Business logic 7

2.4.3 Why use PHP and MySQL9 8

2.5 Databases 9

2.5.1 Relational Database Server 9

2.5.2 Data Transactions and access 10

2.6 Web database technologies 10

2.6.1 Why a web databas& 10

2.6.2 Examples of database 11

2.7 MySQL 11

2.7.1 Advantages of MySQL 11

2.8 Importance of information technology 12

2.9 Internet as a tool for an online transaction processing 12

2.10 Nakana Coffee Factory Report for the month of February 2006 13

2.11 ExportsbyTypeandGrade .14

Source: URL:http://www.uce.co.ug retrieved 04 September, 2008 16

2.12 Performance of Individual exporters 16

Source: URL:http://www.uce.co.ug retrieved 04 September, 2008 1 8

2.13 Local Situation 18

2.14 GlobalSituation 18

2.15 Uganda Coffee Exporters by Destination 19

2.16 Uganda Coffee Buyers 20

2.17 WebApplication 21

2.18 History 21

2.18.1 Interface 22

2.18.2 Technical considerations 23

2.18.3 Structure 23

2.18.4 Business use 24

2.18.5 Writing web applications 24

2.18.6 Web application security 25

2.18.7 Applications 25

2.18.8 Benefits 25

CHAPTER THREE 26

METHODOLOGY 26

3.0 Introduction 26

3.1 Study area and population 26

3.2 Data collection tools 26

3.2.1 Interview 26

3.2.2 Observation 26

3.2.3 Joint application development 26

3.3 Requirement analysis 27

3.3.1 Non functional 27

3.3.2 Functionality 27

3.3.3 Other requirements (system requirements) 27

3.4 Software architecture 28

3.5 Database design 28

3.5.1 User interface design 29

3.7 System security 29

3.7 Implementation and testing 30

3.7.1 Unit testing 30

3.7.2 Systemtesting 31

3.8 System Implementations 32

CHAPTER FOUR 33

SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 33

4.0 Website design for web-based systems 33

4.1 Systems Analysis 33

(c) The proposed system 33

4.2 Logical design 34

4.2.1 Process modeling .34

4.2,2 Conceptual data modeling 35

4.3 Physical design 36

4.3.1 Interface Design 36

4.5 Limitations 40

CHAPTER FIVE 42

SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION 42

5.0 Program Implementation 42

5.1 PHP 42

5.1.2 MySQL 42

5.2 Features/Workability of modules 43

5.3 Program flowchart 43

5.4 Sample test Data 45

5.5 Change over methods 47

CHAPTER SIX 48

DISCUSSIONS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 48

5.0 Introduction 48

5.1 Discussion of objectives, problems and challenges 48

The objectives of this project were to’ 48

5.2 Recommendations 49

REFERENCES 50

APPENDIX DOCUMENTATION 52