Disc Central is a DVD and game shop in Leicester. They hire DVD films and games for Playstation2, XBox and PC to their members. At present their business is run using a complicated card system. A card from the case of the DVD or game is taken out and placed in the customer's file until it is returned. They want to introduce a computerised system.
They are looking for...
- A database system with 4 tables to store details of customers, DVDs, games and also to record details of rentals made.
- A monthly newsletter which can be sent to customers
- A spreadsheet to keep track of income from rentals (A,A* only)
Disc Central's owner and manager Debbie Gibson has sent you the letter below which explains the system she has in mind.
Summary
Just read the introduction, then go to the next link.
Dear Student
I used to think that a computerised system for Disc Central was only in my dreams but now it looks like becoming reality!
First you will need to tell me what I need to buy to make the system work. I would like a workstation in my office to manage the finances and send out newsletter. There should be a workstation on the cashier's desk giving access to the database and, finally a workstation with a touch screen for customers to browse the discs in stock.
Then you should collect the inputs required. We will need customers' details. It would be useful if you would include details of 30 customers, people you know. I'll give them free membership and I'll add the other customers' details when you give me the system. Also we need details of the top 20 DVDs and the top 20 games. I'll add details of newer discs and my back catalogue when I get the system.
Then you should consider the processes we will use. When a customer comes into the shop they will choose a disc and come to the counter. They will give the cashier the disc they want to hire and their membership card. We will scan the barcode on the card with a barcode scanner. This will call up the customer's details. We will then scan the disc. This will call up the disc details. Finally we will type the customer's membership number into the rentals table of the database, next to the disc to be rented, along with the date it is due to be returned. Discs and customers will have four digit ID numbers with a letter in front. e.g. DVD 1 = D0001, Customer 1 = C0001. The system should allow the information to be entered by hand using the keyboard if the scanner is not working. We will be able to query the database to find the information mentioned in the Outputs section below. We should also be able to send a newsletter produced in Word to all of our customers. A good system would be able to send a PlayStation2 letter to PS2 customers only, or a Horror movie letter to fans of films of this genre.
Then you need to make sure that the system produces the outputs I require. They are;
- A list of members in alphabetical order by surname
- A report of overdue discs and who has them
- A report showing 18 classification discs
- A monthly newsletter
- A spreadsheet showing all the rentals made, which calculates our income to date
- Any other information which you think would be useful
Then you'll need to test the system to make sure it works!
Finally I need you to produce a complete user guide for the system, not so much for me beacuse I'm quite computer literate, but for my staff who are less confident.
I look forward to receiving your system. Good luck!
Debbie