Cinema = this is another good way to promote a product as it was similar to TV promotion in many aspects. The film showing also has influence on the advertising; it’s pointless to show the advert before an 18 film because the people watching it were no my target audience. It would be suitable to show the advert before a U rated film because that’s where most children were available. I think it would be best to decide whether to put the advert on or not depending on the film that’s currently showing.
Radio = this is a much cheaper way to advertise. But the downside to this is that most people listening to the radio are not really concentrating on the things said.
Press and Print:
Newspaper = this type of advertising is useless, because my target audience is children and teenagers. They don’t read newspapers.
Newspaper Advertisements:
- Full Page (Back Page) £130.00
- Full Page £80.00
- Half Page £40.00
- Inserts for 1 run (you provide) £50.00
- Quarter Page £30.00
- Business Card £15.00
- 3-line Personal Ad £5.00
Leaflet = I think this type of advertising is excellent, because it’s coloured, attractive and more targeting. The parents who are reading it were always active. Also it’s not like newspapers where reading once is enough. Magazines can be passed around to other readers and read several times.
Poster = Posters can be attractive and build up awareness. They can be put in the shop or on the wall where people always go pass. The good thing about poster is that passers can pick up the message easily and remember them.
Conclusion:
I think I would use leaflet to promote my offers because it has the least disadvantages and the most advantages.
Design
Most of my designs were done in A3 sheets. Some were drawn by hands while others were screenshots. The designs are shown after this documentation.
IT or not IT:
Advantages of using IT:
- Instant search of a specific piece of data of any members.
- Save a lot of storage space since all information can be stored into the hard disc.
- High motivation for the employees.
- Fewer errors since the computer can be used to check all the information entered.
- Leaflets could be produced professionally using complicated textures to give maximum publicity, where otherwise it would be hard to produce anything complicated.
- Birthday parties could be organised using the database system to find out whose child will have their birthday coming soon. Doing a query on the already existed database could do this.
- Booking forms could be produced quicker.
- Mail merge could be used to make information packs to send quicker by doing a search and sort.
Disadvantages of using IT:
- If a virus is attacking the system, all pieces of information could loss instantly.
- High start up cost for the leisure centre. It would be hard to raise all that money.
- Staffs in the centre need to be trained in order to use the computers correctly and efficiently; therefore it will cause a lot of money from the leisure centre.
- Eyestrain, back problems, Ozone irritation for the employees probably causing low motivation and less work done thus less efficient.
- Information of the members might be misused and offended the Data Protection Act.
Advantages of not using IT:
- Low start up cost, therefore it work could be carried out sooner because there were no finance problems.
- More jobs available for the public, this would create a good public image for the leisure centre.
- No specific training needed, thus saving a fair amount of money for the leisure centre, which could be used for other more important purposes.
Disadvantages of not using IT:
- High storage space causing more money spends on office facilities.
- Lots of paper work causing stress on the employees, which could affect their working abilities.
- Employees are less motivated thus less efficient.
- Activities such as birthday parties could not be organised efficiently due to the amount of previous paper work required to do.
- Booking forms and mail merge could not be produced, this will cause a lot of time wasted.
- Leaflet couldn’t be produced professionally, thus causing less audience attraction.
I think I will use the computerised system, because there were many important advantages. Also it would help the leisure centre to keep up with the latest step of technology and gave a modern and professional life to our members and employees.
System Components:
Mailmerge System Flowchart:
Leaflet System Flowchart:
System Specification:
Hardware:
- Intel Pentium 4 Processor
Surpassing the 3 GHz marks, the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor at 3.06 GHz offers higher levels of performance, creativity and productivity. Based on Intel® NetBurst™ microarchitecture, the Pentium 4 processor offers higher-performance processing than ever before. Built with Intel's 0.13-micron technology, the Pentium 4 processor delivers significant performance gains for use in home computing, business solutions and all your processing needs
Features: Benefits:
400MHz-system bus Supports 400MHz-system bus for single processor configurations
Intel® Hub Architecture Increased I/O bus bandwidth allows better concurrency for media-rich applications and multitasking
Dual capability Provides up to 3.2 GB/s memory bandwidth, balancing performance for the Intel® Pentium® 4 processor based platform
AGP4X interface 2X increase in graphics bandwidth allows highest graphics performance
LAN connect interface Multiple networking options taking advantage of Intel® SingleDriver™ technology
Alert on LAN 2.0 Emits an alert in case of software failures or system intrusion, even when the O/S is not present or the system is suspended
Dual controllers Two controllers for four ports double the bandwidth at 24 Mbps
Ultra ATA/100 Takes advantage of the latest industry innovations in hard disk drive features and performance. provides additional performance over standard ATA drivers.
Controller Better audio quality, with up to six channels for full surround-sound capability including a simultaneous modem connection
Allows flexibility for multiple configurations on a single card to extend USB, LAN, and audio
Low-power sleep mode Energy savings
The Intel® Desktop Board D850EMD2 harnesses the advanced computing power of the Intel Pentium® 4 processor. Designed for the Intel® 850E chipset, the Desktop Board D850EMD2 utilises the full bandwidth and performance in the Pentium 4 processor with dual RAMBUS* channels and brings Hi-Speed USB 2.0 connectivity to the desktop. The Desktop Board D850EMD2 offers Intel’s highest performance platform solution on the mPGA478-pin package and supports the latest Pentium 4 processors. This provides unprecedented system efficiency and responsiveness for those who wish to stay on the cutting edge of the business world.
Intel Desktop Board D850EMD2 Features
Form Factor MicroATX (9.60 inches by 9.60 inches)
Processor Support for an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor in a mPGA478 socket 400/533 MHz system data bus
Memory Two Direct-RDRAM channels (four RIMM* sockets total)
Support for up to 2 GB of system memory
Chipset Intel® 850E Chipset
I/O Control SMSC LPC47M142 LPC bus I/O controller
Audio Audio subsystem for AC '97 processing using the Analog Devices AD1885 codec featuring SoundMAX with SPX
Video AGP connector supporting 1.5 V 4X AGP cards only
Peripheral Interfaces Up to seven USB ports
Two serial ports
One parallel port
Two IDE interfaces with Ultra DMA 33 and ATA-66/100 support
One diskette drive interface
PS/2* keyboard and mouse ports
Expansion Capabilities Three PCI bus add-in card connectors (SMBus routed to PCI bus connector 2)
Software:
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Operating System: Microsoft® Windows XP Professional
Overview:
Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional is the next version of the Windows operating system, which is designed for businesses of all sizes, and for individuals who demand the most from their computing experience. Windows XP Professional goes beyond the benefits of Windows XP Home Edition with advanced capabilities designed specifically to optimise productivity using the latest advancements in the digital world. Built on the solid foundation of Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional provides improved reliability, security, performance and ease of use, setting the new standard in efficient and dependable computing.
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Applications: Microsoft® Access 2000
Overview:
Whether users are creating a stand-alone desktop database for personal use, departmental use or for an entire organisation, Access offers an easy-to-use database for managing and sharing data. Access 2000 brings not only the traditional broad range of easy data management tools but also adds increased integration with the Web for easier sharing of data across a variety of platforms and user levels and additional ease-of-use enhancements to assist with personal productivity.
Microsoft® Word 2000
Overview:
Microsoft Word 2000 was designed to be the easiest way to create common Web, e-mail and print documents around the world. Microsoft Word is currently the application of choice for creating print documents. Word 2000 embraces HTML as a first-class file format and extends Word’s industry-leading ease of use to the Web and e-mail. Word 2000 also extends that ease of use to international users, making it easy to create multilingual documents.
Microsoft® Publisher version 2002
Overview:
Microsoft® Publisher 2002 business desktop publishing program is designed for business users who are serious about creating professional-looking marketing and business materials without the assistance of a professional designer. A flexible wizard model integrated into the new Task Pane allows users to quickly and easily apply design options to create high-quality newsletters, flyers, brochures, Web sites, and more.
With increased support of commercial printing functionality, first introduced in Publisher 2000, and the creation of the Publisher Service Provider Program, business users can easily locate commercial printers, service bureau, and copy shops to output Publisher files.
Microsoft® PowerPoint version 2002
Overview:
With Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2002 you get everything you need to organise, design, and deliver powerful presentations. PowerPoint 2002 incorporates the productivity and collaboration innovations of Office XP, such as Task Panes and Send for Review, giving you unprecedented access to the tools you need to make your point.
Microsoft® Money 2003 Deluxe and Business
Overview:
Designed for the sole proprietor or small business owner to manage both personal and small business finances – all in one place. Track inventories, design your own customer invoices and send them, track projects, analyse the success of your business, and more!
Microsoft® Excel version 2002
Overview:
The comprehensive tools in Microsoft® Excel 2002 make it easy to create powerful spreadsheets and work with others to review and analyse them. Excel 2002 incorporates the productivity and collaboration innovations of Office XP, such as Smart Tags and Task Panes, empowering financial professionals and everyday users alike to access, organise and analyse critical business data. .
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Utility Programs: Norton Antivirus 2003 Professional Edition
The beefy big brother to Norton AntiVirus 2003, the Pro version includes all the protection found in the Home Edition of Norton AntiVirus 2003, plus data-recovery and data-cleaning tools. An included data-cleaning tool also provides confidentiality by "shredding" files that you no longer need. NAV 2003 Pro comes with a license for two computers, should you want to use a second system as a backup device.
Norton Personal Firewall 2003
Symantec has added several new features and tools to Norton Personal Firewall (NPF) 2003, making it an even more effective guardian. The most important: an enhanced intrusion-detection system that not only blocks port scans but now looks at each inbound or outbound data packet. If NPF spots suspicious data transfers or transfer methods--it compares these to a "signature" database that's updated when you do a LiveUpdate of Firewall--it automatically drops the packets and severs the link to the offending computer.
Sources:
&
Summary
Input, process, output:
System changes:
I’ve made some changes to my leisure centre system in order to improve it. The system changes are as follows:
- Encoded databases to prevent misuse of classified data.
- Specified login name inside leisure centre’s domain so that each user will have access to their own working area and have access to all data relevant to their work.
- Use of bus topology so if one device breaks down, others are not affected.
- Install utility programs such as Norton Antivirus 2003 to back up important system files if accidentally damaged manually or by computer virus.
- Website being added to the internet, so customers would be able to get a clearer picture of the leisure centre through the internet and they would also be able to book any event with the leisure centre on the net.
System improvements:
- A booking form has been implemented directly into the leisure centre website which links to the member table and order form. This will be able to let any potential customers to become a member online and of course book an event online.
- Password/data security has been improved with encryption and anti-virus software.
- Specific login names and passwords have been designed for each individual who works with the system.
- Errors have been solved relating to the links between the customer data tables.
- Different queries have been saved so that a search will be easier to do in the future.
- Now the system has been linked to the internet, although these brought enormous benefits but it has also created concerns such as hacker attacks and virus infection therefore, I have added fire walls to prevent such a thing from happening.
System users:
All of the staff in my leisure centre will use the new computerised system:
Technicians
Have access to all system software but will not be able to change any data from the databases. The job of the technicians is to solve any hardware/software errors or conflicts that occurs and update the system to suit new needs if necessary.
Director/head of leisure centre
The director will have access to every file on the network and even private files that could only be accessed through his computer and with passwords. The director however will be checked up now and then to make sure that he is not abusing the information in anyway.
Deputy Head
The deputy head will also have a large area to access this includes the address, phone numbers, etc. However, he will not have access to those private files without the director’s permission. The deputy head’s main job is to replace the director just in case he is ill or unable to come to work.
Administration
The secretary will only have access to the customers’ main data and their appointments so as to allow them to have access to the leisure centre’s facilities.
Supervisors
The supervisors will have access to any customer’s medical file to help them to overcome any problems or to help them to avoid doing any more damages to the customer.
Porters
The porters will not have access to any files or computers and if they are found using one in the leisure centre they will be in serious trouble and their job will be at risk.
Customers
Customers will be able to access and change their data with the help of a staff, they will be able to tell the staff what to change and then the staff will change it. However, the customer cannot change the data by themselves at the leisure centre but they could do such thing online.
Testing:
- To test a form in Access, I will need to input some data into a form and save it then see if an identical data has been entered into the database.
- To test a query in Access, I will need to input some new data within the query boundary into the database. Then I shall run the query again to see whether the new data comes up or not.
- To test a report in Access, one can enter new data into the databases and then run the report and see if the new data has shown up or not.
- To test a leaflet, one can print out the leaflet and see if it’s identical to what’s appearing on the monitor.
- To test a mail merge, I have to check the mail merged document have the identical data to its relevant table.
Implementation:
Direct implementation: When a tradition recording method changes straight into a more modern method of recording information. For example, from the use of file cabinets straight into the use of PC hardware. This type of implementation doesn’t have any backup so if there were faults in the new computerised system, there would be chaos and the staff would have to work all the way from beginning again to obtain all the data lost by the system from the customers. This would cause in satisfaction by both the customers and the staff.
Parallel implementation: This is when the new system is in use with the traditional system at the same time. This is a very good implementation method because if the new system fails to achieve what is was hoped for, than the leisure centre could immediately switch back to the old method. But the draw back is that the leisure would still have to spend its resources and manpower into the old system which might be a total waste of two after all because the same data is being processed twice.
Phased implementation: This happens when the leisure centre introduce the new type of system step by step. The entire procedure might be very slow until whole of the new system is implemented. However, one advantage is that this method will allow the leisure centre to turn back any error occurred in the implementation of the new system. However, this type of implementation might take very long causing valuable time to be wasted as information could be processed faster using direct implementation. And this implementation would cause disagreements between the leisure centre and the staffs as the staffs has to constantly change the working environment which can be quite disturbing.
I think I will use phased implementation because it is more secure than the other types of implementation and also it would have been cheaper to use as the old system is gradually erased by the new system, so no resources are wasted.
Maintenance:
Data integrity: this is concerned with the correctness of the data. Errors may be introduced into data in a variety of ways. They can be introduced when the person typing in the data misreads it off a source document or if a program or machine errors corrupt the data. Some types of corruption can be caused by simple typing errors. Validation and verification checks are performed on data to ensure its integrity.
Data security: This is concerned with keeping the data safe from the carious hazards that could destroy it. The leisure centre could encode files or add password to a specific file to make sure that the information in the file doesn’t get misused. Alternatively, firewalls and antivirus software can be introduced; these will provide sufficient safety to the data from any possible attackers. Approximate badge could also be used when the staff left the computer unattended, the computer will shut itself and if the staffs want to have access to the data again, he/she would be required to input the relevant password again. Also the system users could sign an Employee Agreement which emphases how system should be used, and therefore reduce the chance of misuse/damage/corruption of data.
Hardware maintenance: Hardware can be checked every 3 months by a qualified technician. My leisure centre can upgrade their entire hardware system every 2 years or so. I think I should have a backup disc created every week because if the data got accidentally deleted, I could just simply insert the back up disc and restore all the lost data. However, there might be too much information to store on a backup disc therefore I think the system files should be stored on a spare hard drive.
Software maintenance: Software can be checked by a qualified technician and also the leisure centre could upgrade any software whenever possible. I will also have to check whether the software are compatible with the current system because if not, there might be serious system errors occur when running the system which leads to system failure.
Technical Documentation:
How to do a table link?
- Open the Table you want to create a Link
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Then you go to Tools and choose Relationships.
3. After that, you choose the tables that you want to link and click add.
4. After you have done that, you just simply drag the Fields from table to table and click on create to create a link.
How to do a query?
- After you create your table, go to Queries and click on New.
- Now, choose Design View.
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Then you can add the database you created earlier, click on Add.
- Now the fields in that database base will appear near the top left, you then can double click on each field to select it.
- Now you can type in the data you want to find the Criteria under the suitable fields and click on the Run button, which look like an exclamation mark.
- After you clicked on the run button, the computer will do a search in that field in your database and will come up with any results that are suitable.
How to do a mail merge?
WEBSITE
Problem Specification:
My leisure is currently offering children’ parties to new and original members. The mail-merged letters have been working well but only target existing members. I want to target those who are not members and may not even have heard of the centre
Problem Solutions:
From the last system report, I have mentioned that making a website for advertising would be a good idea. However, the cost for the website would be very expensive if my leisure centre decided to hire someone to make the website. A possibly solution to that is the leisure centre uses its own resources to make a website which will be completely free of charge.
Analysis:
The solution to my problem is by making a website to advertise to new potential new members.
I will need to do different analysis to other leisure centre’s website to first of all get some ideas for my website and to see examples of good and bad practice.
= this website’s homepage is good but the colour is a bit plain, with a white background and virtually no animations. However, it does contain the main criteria required for a leisure centre index page. These criteria include a link to all of the other sub pages relevant to the leisure centre and of course the necessary pictures to attract the visitors. Another good thing about this website is it does have a booking form implemented and an email address to convenient the visitors in order to contact with the leisure centre. This website could be improved with some animations and perhaps a background multimedia file. The lay out of this website if quite obvious, up-down. But there weren’t any bookmarks so the visitor might have to drag the page up to the top again after viewing the entire content of the current page.
= this website is much worse than the previous one. First of all, the home page is not attractive due to a lack of animation and space. There is too much information presented at the same time. So the visitor won’t bother of reading all the contents at all. Also the title of the leisure centre is not very clear due to the same texture with the texts surrounding it. There are no hyperlink buttons which should be clearly visible to the viewers; all of the hyperlinks on this homepage are contained within the main text. This webpage does not have any type of multimedia which could have made the website more interesting to read and visit.
= I have designed my website to achieve most of the advantages of the other 2 websites which I evaluated earlier. These include details, pictures, animations and clear references to show where each area of the website is and clear links to help the visitor to browse the website. Also, I’ve added a booking form into my website, so visitors will be able to book an event on the net. However, I did have some trouble with the hyperlinks on each page as the address has to be exactly correct and also once I put my website onto the net, I had to change all of the hyperlinks to the host’s web address, but eventually, I have managed to come over the problems and now my website is fully functional.
Testing:
I have tested my website to see if there are any errors related to the hyperlinks and I did find some errors which occurred in my website. These errors mainly consisted of the wrong addresses I input which changed when I put my website online. I have managed to solve the problems by changing the hyperlink addresses to the host’s address and now my website doesn’t have any errors.
Maintenance:
To maintain my website, I would have to regularly update the information placed on the website otherwise my website would be out of date and the information would not be accurate.
