Development of a Web-Based Point of Sale System

for Joshua and Caleb General Merchandise

CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methods and procedures that were used in the design

and development of the proposed Web-Based Point of Sales System for Joshua and Caleb

General Merchandise.

Research Design

This study used the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) that divided

complex projects into smaller and more manageable phases. SDLC is pictured as a

modified waterfall model where the result of each phase will flow in sequence into the

next phase. In figure 9.0 shown the series of steps of SDLC was undertaken in the

development of the proposed Web-Based Point of Sales System for Joshua and Caleb

General Merchandise.

System Support
and Security

Figure 9.0: Diagram of a System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) using Waterfalls
Model (Shelly Cashman, and Rosenblatt 2011)

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 Development of a Web-Based Point of Sale System

for Joshua and Caleb General Merchandise

Phase 1: System Planning

The purpose of this phase is to perform a preliminary investigation to evaluate an

IT-related business opportunities or problems. A key part of the preliminary investigation

was a feasibility study that reviewed anticipated costs and benefits and recommended a

course of action based on operational, technical, economic, and time factors (Shelly &

Rosenblatt, 2011).

In this phase, the researchers started with a formal request to the company owner

for a plan to develop a Wed-Based Point of Sale System. Same font, researchers started

the process by identifying the nature and scope of the study, processes of the existing

system, and determining the problems encountered in the existing system by performing

a preliminary investigation. The end product of this phase has the preliminary

investigation reports which showed the initial requirements of the system that will satisfy

the stakeholder requirements.

Phase 2: System Analysis:

The purpose of the systems analysis phase is to build a logical model of the new

system. The first step is requirements modeling, which is the investigation of business

processes and documenting what the new system must do to satisfy users. Requirements

modeling continued the investigation that began during the systems planning phase. To

understand the system, the researchers performed fact-finding using techniques such as

interviews, surveys, document review, observation, and sampling (Shelly & Rosenblatt,

2011).

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 Development of a Web-Based Point of Sale System

for Joshua and Caleb General Merchandise

The research used the result of the fact-finding techniques in order to create a

logical model (data flow diagram) for the proposed Web-Based Point if Sale System for

Joshua and Caleb General Merchandise. The deliverable for the systems analysis phase is

the system requirements document.

Phase 3: System Design:

The purpose of the systems design phase is to create a physical model that will

satisfy all documented requirements for the system. At this stage, the user interface was

created and the necessary inputs, outputs and processes were identified. In addition, the

design of the internal and external controls, including computer-based and manual

features was created to guarantee that the system is reliable, accurate, maintainable, and

secured. During the systems design phase, the application architecture was defined in

which the programmers used in transformation of the logical design into program

modules and code (Shelly & Rosenblatt, 2011).

During this phase, the researchers created data flow diagrams, context diagrams,

use case diagram and the internal and external schemas that showed the logical design

and structure for the data flow and storage of the proposed system. The researchers also

created an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) that served as the blueprint in creating the

database of the proposed system. The result of this phase is the system design

specification which served as an input for the next phase.

Phase 4: System Implementation

During the systems implementation phase, the new system is constructed. The

objective of the systems implementation phase is to deliver a completely functioning and

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 Development of a Web-Based Point of Sale System

for Joshua and Caleb General Merchandise

documented information system. At the conclusion of this phase, the system is ready for

use. Final preparations include converting data to the new system’s files, training users,

and performing the actual transition to the new system. The systems implementation

phase also includes an assessment, called a systems evaluation, to determine whether the

system operates properly and if costs and benefits are within expectations (Shelly &

Rosenblatt, 2011).

The input of this phase is the end product of the system design phase which

served as the basis of the researchers in creating the database of the proposed system, do

the coding and design the actual graphical user interface (GUI). Furthermore, within this

phase, the researchers test data were prepared and processed as many times as necessary

to refine the code. The researchers used PHP, Laravel Framework as front end of the

system and MySQL as the back end of the proposed system. The end product of this

phase was the complete functioning of Web-Based Point of Sale System for Joshua and

Caleb General Merchandise that tested and evaluated by the IT Expert and the Pilot

testing made with the end users.

Phase 5: System Support and Security

During the systems support and security phase, the developer maintains,

enhances, and protects the system. Maintenance will change and corrects errors and adapt

to changes in the environment. Enhancements provide new features and benefits. The

objective of this phase is to maximize return on the IT investment. Security controls

safeguard the system from both external and internal threats. A well-designed system

must be secured, reliable, maintainable, and scalable Shelly & Rosenblatt (2011).

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 Development of a Web-Based Point of Sale System

for Joshua and Caleb General Merchandise

During this phase, the developer will do maintenance and enhancement of the

system as the business process of the point of sales will change or if the system will

crash. Also security control is highly much needed to safeguard the system.

Source of Data

Specifically, the sources of data were the following:

Field Sources. The manager and other employees of Joshua and Caleb General

Merchandise were interviewed to gain view on the existing system.

Document Sources. The researchers reviewed some sample documents like sale

invoice, sales report and inventory report to gain more information about the processes of

the existing system.

Data Gathering Techniques

The development of a Web-Based Point of Sale for Joshua and Caleb General

Merchandise used the following data gathering techniques.

Interview

The researchers conducted an interview with the employees of Joshua & Caleb

General Merchandise as a primary method of obtaining information of the business

operation. An interview with the manager as well as the other employee helped the

researchers in identifying the problems in the current system and in determining the user

requirements for the new system. The interview validated the observation.

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 Development of a Web-Based Point of Sale System

for Joshua and Caleb General Merchandise

Observation

The researchers observed the business operations of Joshua & Caleb Gen.

Merchandise under the supervision of the manager/owner of the business in order to

understand the processes of the existing inventory system.

Document Review

The researchers requested from the manager of Joshua & Caleb General

Merchandise for blank copies of actual forms, receipts, invoices and reports for review

purposes. With the assistance of the accountant, the researchers were able to take a look

at some actual sales data on spreadsheets which served as the basis for the design of the

database, user interface and reports that were generated in the new system.

Prototyping

The researchers provided an opportunity for the manager and the staff of the

Joshua & Caleb Gen. Merchandise to examine input, output and user interfaces of the

system before the final implementation of the proposed system.

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