INVENTORY MANAGEMENT BOOK STORE SYSTEM USING W I D (IMBS)

NORASHIKIN BINTI MOHAMED KAMIL

UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA

ABSTRACT

Inventory Management Book Store System Using RFID (IMBS) is a system in the category of desktop tools application. It focuses on managing book store with the use of WID. W I D is a device that scan the quantity and detail information about variety of books at book store. The area of study is at Bestari Book Store. The book store provides variety of books and magazines for customers. This system will be develop using Microsoft Visual Basic.Net, Microsoft SQL Server to build database, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Word, Adopt Photoshop as the software. The hardware that be use to build this system are RFID Reader, RFIG Tag and personal computer. Other device that be use is Window XP as a operating system. During the development of IMBS, the methodology being used is Prototyping model. Each process during the development process is followed by each phases in Prototyping model. The system consists four modules includes Book Stock Managing Module, Order Module, Book stock Information Searching Module and Administration Management Module. The groups of user that had been identified to use the system are Administrator and employee at Bestari Book Store. IMBS also will develop to help admin and employee manage data of book store with quickly and efficient. Besides that, it can save time and cost.

ABSTRAK

"Inventory Management Book Store System using RFID (IMBS)" merupakan satu sistem yang boleh dikategorikan sebagai aplikasi perkakasan mikrokomputer. la fokus kepada pengurusan kedai buku dengan bantuan RFID. RFID merupakan satu alat yang digunakan untuk mengimbas kuantiti dan maklumat mengenai jenis buku yang terdapat di kedai buku tersebut. Kawasan kajian adalah di Kedai Buku Bestari. Kedai buku tersebut menyediakan pelbagai jenis buku dan majalah untuk pelanggan. Sistem ini dibangunkan menggunakan perisian seperti Microsoft Visual Basic.Net, Microsoft SQL Server sebagai pangkalan data, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Word dan Adopt Photoshop. Manakala perkakasan yang digunakan untuk membangunkan sistem adalah RFID Reader, RFID Tag dan computer peribadi. Selain itu, alat lain yang digunakan adalah Window XP sebagai sistem pengoperasian. Di sepanjang pembangunan IMBS, model Prototyping telah dipilih. Setiap proses yang terdapat di dalam model tersebut dijadikan panduan dalam pembangunan sistem ini. Sistem ini mengandungi empat modul iaitu Modul Pengurusan Stok Buku, Modul Tempahan, Modul Carian Maklumat dan Modul Pengurusan Pentadbiran. Pengguna yang menggunakan sistem ini terdiri daripada pentadbir dan pekerja di Kedai Buku Bestari. IMBS juga dibangunkan untuk membantu pentadbir dan pekerja menguruskan maklumat buku dengan cepat dan cekap. Di samping itu, ia dapat menjimatkan masa dan kos.

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Background

Book stores in Malaysia still use conventional system in managing and keeping

their book stocks. Studies show that systematic management in book stocks information

is very important to improve the quality of book stores. Traditionally, most of book

stores use alphabet system and file system to store book stock information. Therefore,

management of book stock information must using the computer can help to manage,

control and manipulate book stock data.

Nowadays, most book stores use computerized system to manage their book

stock managements. Furthermore, this computerized system provides many benefits

such as giving higher security in managing data, faster in accessing data, data

arrangement more systematically and etc. An example of a computerized system that

had been used currently is a system called Inventory Management System for Book

Store (IMBS) using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). It focuses on using RFID to

scan data and store them in system and database. It is an automatic identification

method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags.

The system features RFID tags and readers. The Readers are located in the storeroom,

store shelves and at the point-of-sale terminals. Besides that, with the system the

employee at book stores can access data quickly and can manage book stock without

having to refer to the existing system or record fail.

Therefore, IMBS is developed as the easiest way for book stores employee to

solve their problem. The system aims to design and develop management software,

which will incorporate RFID technology, which enables store management to know the

current status of books on the shelves, books sold and books in the store. The system

consists six modules includes Authentication user Module, Book Stock Managing

Module, Order Module, Book stock Information Searching Module, Administration

Management Module and Report Module.

1.2 Problem Statements

The manual system approach is either on paper or in books to record book stock

information and all activities involved in book sales. It requires a lot of files to keep the

data. When there are a lot of files, it is difficult for the employee or administration to

search for data when needed. In proper data management causes difficulties for

employee and administration to reach and manipulating the data required. Therefore, a

computerized system is needed to overcome this situation.

The book stock that is recorded manually includes stand- alone system. The

hnction of the system can only store information about books and number of book in

the book store. After processing the record manually, the employee has to enter the data

again after some time. It causes much work to be done by the employee and the

company suffers loss of time and energy. A computerized system which is already used

lacks availability. Besides that, it requires a lot of time to carry out the process of

retrieving, searching and manipulating data.

1.3 Objective

The objective of developing IMBS to benefit the organization. Thus aims of this

project are:

1. To use RFID technology in the developed system.

2. To make the process of storing huge books data easier.

3. To allow and simplify data manipulation process.

4. To manage books data systematically.

5. To keep secure data.

1.4 Scope

1. Desktop tools application system.

2. The target users to use the system namely the administrator and employees at

Bestari Book Store.

3. Store book information details in database such as title, ISBN, book publisher,

quantity of book, price and date.

4. The registering new employees and suppliers details.

5 . The process of ordering books from suppliers.

6. The process of generating books stock report.

1.5 Project Significance

This system will help employees and administration in Bestari Book Store. The

purpose of having this system is to replace the manual system currently used at the book

store in managing books stock. This system will also apply RFID technology for easier

book store management especially in managing, ordering and manipulating the current

information about books stock.

Besides that, a user friendly interface will be also provided for employees and

administrator to help them use the system easily. The RFID reader can scans RFID tag at

the books and send to the database. Then, fiom the database employees or administrator

can know the type and quantity of book as well as either the book has been sold or not.

The employee can also know about the supplier of the book.

1.6 Expected Output

The expected output of this project is a system-base that will be able to store

information about books in database. The information stored are book title, publishers

and suppliers. Other than that the system will also help the process of ordering books

and generating books stock report. Employee's information can also be managed using

this system.

1.7 Conclusion

IMBS is developed as a stand-alone system. Chapter I described the problem

occurred by using the manual system. The project objectives and project scope have

been identified. The new system is expected to overcome the problem with the manual

system.

Chapter I1 will elaborate the Literature Review and Project Methodology which

helps in explaining how far the question needs to be investigated to map out the

requirement needed.

CHAPTER I1

LITERATURE REVIEW AND PROJECT METHODOLOGY

2.1 Introduction

The second phase in PSM is Literature Review and Methodology. The purpose

of Literature Review is to help in explaining how far the question needs to be

investigated to map out the requirement needed. A Literature Review is a summary of

previous research on a topic. Literature Review can be either a part of a larger report of a

research project, or it can be a statement made by an individual. This chapter explains

about facts or statement which known as Literature Review that will be used as guidance

in developing the system.

Other that that, methodology will elaborate Prototyping model approach. The

Literature Review part acts as a mean to discover what the methodology should be

chosen in developing this system.

2.2 Facts and finding

Facts and findings establishes what the existing system does and what the

problems are, and leads to a definition of a set of options from which users may choose

their required system (Yeates and Wakefield, 2004).

This section maps out different perspective which relate to the project that will

be developed. It focuses on the question of how the function of RFID is important to the

employee in book store management. Moreover, it describes any elements or methods

which is useful to be used for the purpose of searching and gathering useful information

in developing this system.

Case Study 1: What is RFID

According the Association for Automation Identification & Mobility (1990),

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification to identify that uses radio signals. RFID

is increasingly used biometric technologies for security. Unlike bar-code technology,

W I D technology does not require contact or line of sight for communication. RFID data

can be read through the human body and clothing.

Components

A component of RFID system is shown in Figure 2.1. The basic RFID system consists of

three components:

An antenna or coil

A transceiver (with decoder)

A transponder (RF tag) electronically programmed with unique information

Bas)

Figure 2.1: WID System Component

( Association for Automation Identification & Mobility (1 990)

The RFID system component has an antenna shine radio signals to activate the

tag and to read and write data to it. Antennas are the conduits between the tag and the

transceiver, which controls the system's data acquisition and communication. Antennas

are available in a variety of shapes and sizes; they can be built into a door frame to

receive tag data from persons or things passing through the door, or mounted on an

interstate toll booth to monitor traffic passing by on a freeway. The electromagnetic field

produced by an antenna can be constantly present when multiple tags are expected

continually.

Often the antenna is packaged with the transceiver and decoder to become a

reader which can be configured either as a handheld or a fixed-mount device. The reader

emits radio waves in ranges of anywhere from one inch to 100 feet or more, depending

upon its power output and the radio frequency used. When an RFID tag passes through

the electromagnetic zone, it detects the reader's activation signal. The reader decodes the

data encoded in the tag's integrated circuit (silicon chip) and the data is passed to the

host computer for processing.

RFID tags come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Tags can be screw-shaped

to identify trees or -den items, or credit-card shaped for use in access applications.

Advantages of RFID

According to Association for Automation Identification & Mobility (1990),the

advantage of RFID systems is the noncontact and non-line-of-sight nature of the

technology. Tags can be read through a variety of substances such as snow, fog, ice,

paint and other visually and environmentally challenging conditions, where barcodes or

other optically read technologies would be useless. RFID tags can also be read in

challenging circumstances at remarkable speeds, in most cases responding in less than

100 milliseconds. The readlwrite capability of an active RFID system is also a

significant advantage in interactive applications such as work-in-process or maintenance

tracking. Though it is a costlier technology (compared with barcode), RFID has become

indispensable for a wide range of automated data collection and identification

applications that would not be possible otherwise.

Developments in RFID technology continue to yield larger memory capacities,

wider reading ranges, and faster processing. It is highly unlikely that the technology will

ultimately replace barcode even with the inevitable reduction in raw materials coupled

with economies of scale, the integrated circuit in an RFID tag will never be as cost-

effective as a barcode label. However, RFID will continue to grow in its established

niches where barcode or other optical technologies are not effective. If some standards

commonality is achieved whereby RFID equipment from different manufacturers can be

used interchangeably the market will very likely grow exponentially.

Case Study 2: What is Inventory Management

According to Michael A Kimber (1999), Inventory Management is a designed to

meet the dictates of the marketplace and support our company's strategic plan. The

Inventory Management system provides information to efficiently manage the flow of

materials, effectively utilize people and equipment, coordinate internal activities, and

communicate with customers. Besides that it can find excellent inventory management

software's and get reviews online. It also can search for the best solution for our business

needs.

Case Study 3: What is Inventory control management and how to apply it in an

organization?

Referring to www.management-hub.com, the most important objective or

inventory control is to determine and maintain an optimum level of investment in the

inventory. Most companies have now successfully installed one or the other system of

inventory planning and control. In the simplest method, the purchase man periodically

reviews the stock, perhaps visually; to see what inventory items are in short supplies and

places order when he thinks a minimum level has been reached or when the inventory of

a particular item is exhausted. No inventory levels are kept on records. Obviously, such

a method is likely to incur excessive purchasing and carrying costs on the one hand and

stock out costs on the other. While excess purchase would lead to excessive investment

in obsolete or slow moving goods, shortage of inventory may disrupt production or sales

may be permanently lost.

Techniques of inventory control:

The inventory control consists three techniques:

1. Economic purchase order quantity (How much to order)

2. Reorder level (when to order)

3. Minimum inventory or safety stock.

Economic Purchase Order Quantities: In order to control inventory a decision

model has been developed to determine the optimum quantity of materials to be

purchased on each purchase order. The model determines the optimum working stock

level to be maintained. Each time a purchase order is placed, the company incurs certain

costs. In order to minimize the costs of placing purchase orders, the company could

increase the order quantity to meet the company's entire needs for the year at one time,

incurring only the cost of one purchase order. However, such a practice will lead to

having a large average inventory of working stock, resulting in increased carrying costs.

The costs of ordering and costs of carrying inventory may be summarized as follows.

Cost of Ordering :

1. Preparing purchase or production orders, receiving and preparing and processing

related documents.

2. Incremental costs of purchasing or transportation for frequent orders (Purchase in

small lots is often costlier and transportation costs also increase)

3. Out of pocket costs of postage, telephones, telegrams, cost of stationery, and

traveling.

4. Extra costs of numerous small production runs, overtime, setups, and training. In

addition- fixed costs in form of salaries, wages of employees connected with this

work in purchasing, receiving, inspection and Material handling Departments.

Minimum Inventory or Safety Stock

According to www.management-hub.com, there are several methods in

determining safety stock levels. A rough and ready method followed by many

companies is to provide a constant safety stock of say, one or two month's usage

requirements regardless of the item. Another method mainly based on intuition is to

have large safety stock when quantity usage is high, lead time is long or the ordering

schedule is frequent. Small safety stocks can be maintained when there is low usage,

short lead time or infrequent ordering.

Another method makes a statistical analysis of the probability of a stock out by

predicting the dispersion of usage around average usage and the dispersion of lead times

around the average lead time.

Case Study 4: Boekhandels Groep Nederland (BGN)

Referring to www.progress.com, Boekhandels Groep Nederland (BGN) has

opened Selexyz, one of the world's first customer-focused, automated retail stores which

it calls a 'Smartstore'. BGN is the premiere book retailer in the Netherlands with more

than 40 stores, 730 employees, and over 11 million visitors a year. Its Selexyz stores

c a w between 25,000-275,000 books, with the chain selling between 15,000-40,000

books per day. BGN has embarked on a Progress-based automation program that

integrates its business applications with a service-oriented architecture (SOA) and

implements item-level radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging to optimize its

supply chain and enhance the customer experience. BGN launched two new, fully-

automated 'SmartStores' that combine item-level RFID tagging and SOA to deliver a

tightly integrated 'warehouse-toconsumer' supply chain. The first Smartstore is located

in Almere, Netherlands.

Rfid enabling supply chain and retail processes

According to www.progress.com, The Progress@ EasyAsk@ natural language

search application helps power in-store customer kiosks that inform consumers whether

a store carries a book, if it is in stock, and where the book is located in the store. In turn,

the EasyAsk product leverages the Progress@ Webspeed@ application to access the

Selexyz book tracking application Atlas also based on the OpenEdge platform. The

Progress@ Apama@ Event Processing Platform provides RFID event processing

services that monitor and analyze (in real-time) inbound WID data received at the store.

Information captured by the Apama platform is correlated with data sent by the

distributor via Advanced Shipping Notices (ASNs).

Challenge

According to Jan Vink (2007), the challenge of BGN is wanting to secure and

grow market share in a price regulated environment with a competitively differentiated -

level of customer service.

Solution

According to Jan Vink (2007), the solution that the company makes is to

integate its business applications via a service-oriented architecture (SOA) for its new

Selexyz "SmartStores," and implements item-level WID tagging in order to optimize

the supply chain, enhance the customer experience and achieve a competitive advantage.

2.2.1 Domain

Inventory Management System for Book Store Using RFID (Radio Frequency

Identification) is developed in the field of desktop tools application. Module that had

been specified in this system is based on a research or application made for managing

book store. Inventory Management System for Book Store is categorized in management

field because this system is concerned about inventory management. The functionality

of Inventory Management System for Book Store concerns on how to develop a system-

based in using RFID technology.

2.2.2 Existing System

Today, there are a lot of system concerning Inventory Management System

existed. The systems are Microsoft Navision Cuts Manual Processes And Raises

Productivity At Mph Bookstores, Smartstore With RFID and Bookstore Inventory

System (BIN).

2.2.2.1 Microsoft Navision Cuts Manual Processes And Raises Productivity At ~ p h

Books to res

BY doing an observation via internet through http://www.m~h.com.m~. website,

MPH Bookstores Sdn Bhd is one of the largest retail bookstore chains in Malaysia with

about 30 outlets all over the country. It is also one of the oldest in the book business. In

1927, MPH was incorporated as Malaya Publishing House when it became a public

stock company. Since the 1970s, MPH Bookstores has been a subsidiary of MPH Ltd, a

public company listed on the stock exchange of Singapore. In 2002, it was bought over

by a Malaysian company, MPH Group (M) Sdn. Bhd.

These mega bookstores are among Malaysia's most innovative in terms of

concept and services, and epitomizes MPH's endeavor to bring the book retail business

to a higher plane. The company is also one of the first bookstores in Malaysia to tap the

Internet's potential by selling books online via its website, www.mph.com.my.

This focus on innovation, customer service and efficient business operations has led

MPH to improve its backend operations, in particular, its financial system. The initiative

was prompted by the need to replace its outdated DOS-based accounting application,

which was installed in the mid-1990s. There were limitations to this DOS-based system,

and the information which it could capture was also limited. It had trouble coping with

our expanding business operations. The problem was compounded because the seven

subsidiaries within the MPH Group at that time were running different accounting

systems. And consolidating the financial statements of the various subsidiaries was no

easy task.

The solution that MPH takes is evaluated Microsoft Business Solutions -

NavisionB. It also considered having a customized solution developed by a third party.

In fact, Navision was already deployed at MPH's headquarters in Singapore. Deciding it

was also the best fit for its business requirements in Malaysia, MPH opted for the

Navision solution. However, the lower total cost of ownership was not the only criteria.

Navision's - flexibility and ability to integrate easily with other systems was also a key

factor in MPH's decision. At that time, MPH was developing its online book sales

business and Navision was able to integrate and interface with the online business7

accounting application.

The Navision modules currently deployed include the general ledger, cash

manager, sales receivables, purchase payable and multi currency modules. The modules

run on Microsoft Windows 2000 and SQL Server 7 on a single Hewlett-Packard server.

Microsoft partner Synergistic Innovations Sdn Bhd was appointed to handle the

deployment which began end 2001 and was completed by April 2002. Synergistic

Innovations also helped to customize additional functionalities for the solution. Several

vendors approached MPH to implement the project but Synergistic Innovations was

chosen because them to be more knowledgeable about Navision, most importantly they

understood our requirements and problems, and demonstrated capability to help

company to resolve it within very short period of time.

The implementation of Navision has helped improve a number of business

processes at MPH. For one, it has simplified the management of databases. Under the

previous solution, there was a raft of information silos as a separate database was created

for each branch unlike Navision which utilizes a centralized database. This provides

management and staff with easier and faster access to the company's financial

information. Navision is able to capture much more information and this provides the

management with greater insight into its business. For example, when company process

an invoice they can see from the system if there are any claims pending. This helps in

determining whether the invoice can be paid. This enables the staff to manage the

accounts better.

The benefit from system are :

Improves Productivity, Reduces Manual Processes

Navision has significantly improved productivity at MPH through automating a

number of processes. Under the old DOS-based system, the accounts staff often

had to manually search files or source documents for verification purposes. With

Navision, they can drilldown to the source level documents. This makes it very

easy for the staff to check the necessary documents, especially where payment is

concerned. Staff can now spend more time doing checking and less time looking

for the source documents.Navision enables the payment vouchers to be printed

out. Re-keying in of data has also been reduced as Navision allows for both

import and export of files. This flexibility is especially useful for consolidation

where the import and export of data in a meaningful format is important.

(b) Easy Access to Business Information

As Navision allows for more data fields, it is able to capture much more

information compared to the previous solution. Detailed information on

promotional and sales campaigns, book purchases and suppliers are input into a

single SQL database and is directly accessed by the management and staff.

(c) Ideal Platform for Expansion

SQL Server is one of the most cost effective and reliable databases available.

The comprehensive range of Navision modules available such as Customer

Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Management, Supply

Chain Management means that MPH can easily add on new functionalities

whenever the need arises.

2.2.2.2 SmartStore with W I D

According Internet Retailer Web Design Conference 2008, leading bookstore

chain ~oekhandels Groep Nederland is five years into redefining itself. Once focused

mostly on the science and education market, it realized at the start of this decade that the

Internet had altered its competitive position, forcing it to rethink what it would sell and

how it would sell it.

BGN conducts most of its sales through 42 stores. tts retail e-commerce presence

is limited to a collection of separate, local-market web sites operated by fewer than half

of its stores. But just because it doesn't sell much on the web doesn't mean the company

isn't using web technology to battle the competition from Internet-based retailers. At the

core of its new strategy is a system of marking individual books with RFID tags

becoming one of the first retailers anywhere to tag individual items to make its stores

more competitive while laying plans for a corporate retail site.

In tests of the system, the RFID-driven SmartStore program has produced

positive results in controlling inventory, improving customer service, reducing labor

costs and increasing salesAlthough BGN is taking a lead in implementing RFID

technology, one of the first beyond major companies like Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the

U.K.'s Marks & Spencer, it may soon have a lot more company among RFID

users.RFID is becoming increasingly recognized as a tool that can support multiple

efforts to manage inventory and improve customer service, because retailers and their

customers can use the data that RFID records and transmits across multiple applications,

&om warehouse management systems to store POS systems to self-service kiosks. The

challenge is making a business case for making RFID pay its way and producing returns.

At BGN, the business case stems from two main sources that are its association

with a major Netherlands book distributor Centraal Boekhuis, and BGN's software

Partner, Bedford, Mass.-based Progress Software Corp., which provides BGN with a

suite ~ G ~ l i c a t i o n s that distribute RFID data throughout the enterprise using Internet

technology through web services-based architecture, including customer-facing in-store

kiosks as well as store inventory management systems and personnel.

Open for business ten hours a day, six days a week, the store has traditionally

operated with 18 or 19 staff people, whose shared duties include a single employee

spending about five minutes to check in each box of new books, a several-minute

process that required the removal of each of about 30 books to check them against order

sheets. It was common to have lost or damaged order documents and invoices, and

occasionally shipments that didn't match what had been ordered.

WID has streamlined the book check-in process, cutting the time per box to less

than five seconds. An employee now places the unopened box into an RFID reader,

which instantly checks the RFID tag on each book against an electronic record of an

advanced shipping notice forwarded over the Internet earlier from Centraal Boekhuis. If

there is a discrepancy, the system automatically sends an alert to Centraal Boekhuis to

rectify the order. Checked-in books are then placed on store shelves and other displays,

with their exact location scanned by employees with handheld RFID scanners, a process

that enables clerks or customers at kiosks to get an instant look at a book's exact

location as well as its availability.

Moreover, BGN can now check storewide inventory three times a week instead

of its old policy of once a year, an important step that addresses a common bookstore

problem of books displaced by shoppers, enabling the Selexyz Scheltema store to

provide frequently updated information on the exact location of books. Under the old

system, he adds, BGN did its annual inventory in early January, temporarily closing the

store and losing sales in the process, then a month later would no longer have accurate

r~cords on more than half its in-store inventory.

2.2.2.3 Bookstore Inventory System (BIN)

The Bookstore Inventory System allows on-line maintenance and reporting

capability for MTSU's Phillips Bookstore Inventory System database. The system is

written in FOCUS and VAX DCL. The system allows users to perform multiple tasks

such as data entry, data correction, error listing, reporting, and clearing out previous

years' inventory.

Phillips Bookstore at Middle Tennessee State University is one of several service

facilities provided by the University for its family of students, faculty and staff. The

store is owned and operated by the University, and all its assets, obligations and policies

are under administrative control. The Phillips Bookstore is located on the first floor of

the Keathley University Center.

Bookstore employees are a select group possessing a special interest in MTSU.

We will find students; students' wives, husbands, and mothers; alumni; faculty spouses

and members of the local community serving . MTSU graduates with a variety of

degrees make up the Phillips Bookstore management personnel, thus giving rise to a

special interest and pride on behalf of the Bookstore and University community.

Phillips Bookstore offers the following services:

Provide computer software at educational discounts

Special order any book currently in print

Stock most books written by faculty and staff

Copyright clearance service for textbooks and course packets

Offer magazine subscriptions at great savings

Free check cashing services (limit $50 per check) for all university community

Free gift wrapping with purchase

Buy used textbooks everyday

Offer Apple computer products at educational discounts

Free notary Service

provide two remote locations for book buy back in an effort to provide easy

access for students

provide value-prices school supplies; discount to departments on campus

Offer camera rentals for photography students

Free lockers are provided for securing books and other items while shopping

Provide fax service

Offer name tags and signs for the university community

Provide one-day service on special ordered office supplies

Provide rubber stamps

Provide special promotional discounts

Provide computerized books-in-print for faculty, staff, and student use

Provide additional operation hours for semester opening and final

Figure 2.2 below will shows interface of the system

1-1 About Phillips books to^

Phllltps Bookstore at Mlddle Tennessee State Untverstty 1s one of several servlce facilities prov~ded by the Untverslty for its family o f students, faculty and staff.

Computer Cent* The store is owned and operated by the University, and all its assets, obl~gations and pol~c~es are under admin~strative contml.

Locntion and Hours The Phllllps Bookstore 15 located on the first floor of the Keathley Un~vers~ty Center. Fall and spring semester hours of operation are Monday - Thursday

Employees Bookstore employees are a select gmup porssrring a speclal Interest In MTSU. You WIII find students; students' wlves, husbands, and mothers; alumn~; faculty spouses; and members o f the local community serving you. MTSU graduates wlth a

Bookstore management personnel, thus on behalf of the Bookstore and Unlverslty

MIDDLE See policies for more ~nfonnat~on 1 TENNLSSEE 1 6h-n

Figure 2.2 : Main page of Phillips Bookstore System

2.23 Technique

During the development of this project, there are several techniques that had

been applied to get as much as information as a guide in develop this system. Sources

are collected from books, journals, electronic resource, questionnaires and observation.

~ ~ e ~ t i o n n a i r e s had been distributed among employee in bookstore. The total of

respondents who took part were five ( 5 ) persons. Besides, most observation is done

through internet.

2.3 Project Methodology

To develop this system, I had identified a suitable methodology to follow during

the implementation of Inventory Management System for Book Store Using RFID.

Prototyping model is explained in detail in this section.

2.3.1 Prototype Model

Based on explanation of Prototyping model via the internet, and Yeates and

Wakefield (2004), prototype model is describes based on Figure 2.3.

Test~ng Phase l n n n t o . ~ Mllub.mzd Sysi- for Bmkston

T

I I

Figure 2.3:qrototype model

According to Figure 2.3, these are the phases involved:

1. Planning Phase

The project planning starts in this phase. First, the information is gathered from

the bookstore and the end users about the manual system. Before starting to build the

system, problem must be analyze in current system then try to solve problem that have

in current system. At the same time, element that is in the database should be known.

2. Analysis Phase

During this phase, the manual system is investigated and improvement

opportunities are identified based on the information gathered in the Planning phase. The

user requirements are gathered, analyzed and reviewed. The final deliverables from this

phase are Analysis Report. Output from this phase is Context Diagram, Data Flow

Diagram (DFD) and Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD).

3. Design Phase

The output produced in the Analysis phase is used to guide the design process of

this system. During this phase, database will be designed. It is design based on

requirement needed by this system. Besides that, an interface will also be designed. It is

based on output of analysis phase which had been gathered from the organization.

4. Implementation Phase

During this phase, the system actually built by using Microsoft Visual Basic.net

based on the deliverable produced in design phase. Database and interface design from

design phase will be developed. Then, process of written code will be done. In this

system, programming had divided into two; Microsoft.NET language and SQL Server

database. Interface of a system will be developed by using Microsoft Visual Basicenet

and Adobe Photoshop 7.0.

5. Testing Phase

Once the database and interface had been developed, testing phases will be done.

This is important to test whether code which had been implemented is correct or not. If

there is error occurred, a solution will be finding to overcome the problem. If there is an

error, a modifying code will be done from the beginning phase of development

2.4 Project Requirement

Due to requirement that supporting the element-element in developing the

system, three main requirements will be elaborates in this section. The requirements are;

software requirement, hardware requirement and network requirements.

2.4.1 Software Requirement

Inventory Management System for Book Store Using RFID uses desktop tools

application. The list of software requirements are as in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1: Software Requirement For Sewer Side

Equipment/de~el~pment tools:

Microsoft Project for manage tasks and milestone for project.

Microsoft Visio is use to design the structure and methodology of project.

Microsoft Visual Basic.net for script editor.

b Microsoft Office for report documentation.

b Adobe Photoshop 7.0.

Operating Systemlsewer

b Windows XP as the Operating System

Database system

b SQL Server as the database system;

SQL Server is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS)

that uses Structured Query Language (SQL), the most popular language for

adding, accessing, and processing data in a database.

For client side, the software requirement should have at least Windows XP as the

operating system to run the application

2.4.2 Hardware Requirement

Hardware requirement consists two specifications. IMBS uses intranet

application. In the environment of intranet, computers act as server side and client side.

Table 2.2 shows the hardware requirement that had been identified.