Database Project - Analysis

The application I have chosen to use is Filemaker Pro, which is a database application.  I have chosen to use this type of software because of all the features it offers.  My Uncle also agreed with me and he thinks that this project can be very successful.

Data Collection and Input

In my database I will need to enter the following data:

• A list of all the customer’s names.  They will be obtained as soon as they wish to desire a deal.  Each customer will be assigned a unique ID so all their information can be keyed into the file, such as: name, sex, address, what deal they have chosen and when their deal finishes.

• Users should easily find mobile phone images.  They should be allowed to view details about phones and even buy in on the database.

• There will be a different section for only my Uncle to use.  This will consist of editing all the information.  He will also be allowed to enter new profiles that will consist of all the information of a new customer.

Data Flow

At the start, my Uncle will enter the names of the present customers he has got.  He will look in his book and will then transfer them into the database.  He will also be able to enter new customers into the database when it is needed.  

The data that will be input into the database will be divided into two main sections, there will be the data that will be input into the customers file, and data that will be input into the mobile phone’s file.  

People will want to know information about the phones that are available and they might want to know the prices of them.  This is why it is important that it is entered in the database.

        

Having entered the customer’s names and all their information and all the mobile phones information, my Uncle will be able to enter in new customers as he hopes he will need to, as there will be many customers who want to buy a deal.

Data Manipulation

The data input into to the members file, with each member will be the following fields:

The data that will be inputted into the customer’s file with each new phone bought by my Uncle will be:

• Name of deal
• Date of purchase
• Model Name
• Contract deal
• Network
• Cost

        

The fields for each phone will be as follows,

In order for my Uncle to find out which deals have been selected by the customers, there must be a purchases file.  It must have the following fields in it:

Output

The reports should be viewable on screen with an option to print them.  Certain things should be viewable to the User, for example he should be able to view, which phones he has sold the most and which contract deals have been sold the most.  The reports will group so that it is easier for the User to understand.

Backup/Security Strategy.

In order to ensure the safety and security of my project, I will have to consider back up devices.  The memory stick can be used to save edited things.  It could also be saved on the computer.  The database will have a password that only the User will know.  This will stop unauthorised users from entering it.  I will make sure my work is saved regularly when I am working on it, for the unlikely event of a power cut or the computers crashing.  The password will have to be changed quite a lot of times so that no - one finds it out.