Software Engineering

Design and building a Distributed Information Software System.

This coursework must be completed individually.

Detailed Specification

The scenario

The scenario

You have been approached to design and implement a prototype of a distributed information

system for a national car part retail outlet chain. The company comprises of numerous garage

retail outlets that each keep their own stock and sell parts to various customers. A central

warehousedespatchespartstothevariousgaragesaccordingtotheirindividualstock

managementrequirements. At present stock is managedindividuallyat the many retail

outlets. Likewise sales, customers, orders are all managed locally. As the new IT expert, you

have suggested an integrated distributed information system that will provide better stock

management and reporting.

The prototype system functionality

Local garage outlets

$1.$Local staff will have the capabilities to sell parts from local stock.

$2.$Local staff will have the capabilities to order parts from the warehouse or from other

garage.

$3.$Local staff are able to recording customer details and take payments.

$4.$Re$-$order levels should be automated.

$5.$Emergency query a local garage for an item of stock.

Note: emergency deliveries are dispatched for express overnight delivery.

The warehouse

$1.$Maintain a level of stock sufficient to meet the needs of the numerous local garage

outlets.

$2.$Set national prices for products.

$3.$Set national discounts and offers for products.

$4.$Dispatch stock to the local garage outlets.

Note: deliveries to each garage occur once every week.

Managers

$1.$Have all of the functionality of Local managers and the warehouse.

$2.$Can view summary of national sales.

$3.$Can view summary of local sales.

$4.$Can view summary of national stock.

$5.$Can view summary of local stock.

Your task

Based on the above requirements it is necessary to build the prototype as a distributed system

with a number of different user interfaces, one for each of the users. You should implement

a $3-$tier architecture.

The system should persistently save data in a database. The choice of technology is yours.

Likewise the user interfaces can be built using any technology of your choosing. Care

should be taking to achieve a $3-$tier architecture.

You should produce and submit a document of your UML design for the proposed system

along with screen shots of your implementation and a brief description of your implemented

product. You should also produce a ZIP file containing your software code and a brief report

describing what you have achieved.

Deliverables

Based on the above requirements it is necessary to build the prototype as a distributed system with

a number of different user interfaces, one for each of the users identified in your design. You

should design and implement a $3-$tier architecture.

You should document a UML design for the proposed system.

Specific Deliverables

You are expect to submit two items:

A report containing only the following items:

D$1$: An ERD describing your backend database.

D$2$: An UML Deployment diagram detailing your system architecture.

D$3$: UML Use$-$case diagrams for the scenario, these should distinguish the various functions

and users of the system.

D$4$: UML Design Class diagram for the scenario.

D$5$: A critical evaluation of the design and implementation.

D$6$: A short statement of the implemented functionality along with screen shots of the

application functionalities.

NOTE: No software code is to be submitted in the report $($code is submitted as a

separate ZIP file$)$

NOTE: Accompanying text should be kept to key assumptions of any designs and brief

explanations of the software functionality.

You will be required to demonstrate your software prototype to your tutor. Lack of a demonstration

will be classed as a non$-$attempt at implementation and thus will fail the course work.

Deliverables & Grading Criteria

The System design $($maximum of $50\%$ will be awarded for your design$)$ to include:

a$.$An UML use$-$case diagram documenting the prototype system.$(10\%)$

b$.$A backend database design$$ ERD $(10\%)$

c$.$An UML design class diagram $(10\%)$

d$.$An UML deployment diagram $(10\%)$

e$.$Critical evaluation $($reflection $/$ limitations $/$ strengths of the work$).(10\%)$

Implementation $($Maximum of $50\%$ will be awarded for you implementation$)$ to include:

f$\mathrm{.}3-$tier implementation with a clear separation between tiers and using appropriate technology,

g$.$Local capabilities implemented,

h$.$Warehouse capabilities implemented,

i$.$National manager capabilities implemented.

Grading Criteria

$70\%$ and above $($distinction$)$

A very well written and professionally presented piece of work which shows a complete

model and matches the implementation of the required system.

All deliverables must be covered to a high standard and quality that warrants a distinction

to be awarded.

Critical evaluation shows insight and a thorough grasp of DIS concepts.

Between $60$ and $69($merit$)$

Theworklackssomedetailbutshowsacompletedesignmodelandaworking

implementation of