Chapter 3

Building an E-commerce Website Content System approach and SDLC Web building tools(soft wares)

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A systems approach to develop an ecommerece

The scientific Method
The systems approach is based on a widely accepted problem solving methodology known as the scientific method. The scientific method consists the following steps: Recognize phenomena in the real world Formulate a hypothesis about the causes or effects of the phenomena. Test the hypothesis through experimentation Evaluate the results of the experiments Draw conclusions about the hypothesis

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A systems approach
The systems Approach
The systems approach is a modification of the scientific method.
It stresses a systematic process of problem solving/utilizing an opportunity. Problems and opportunities are viewed in a systems context.

Studying a problem and formulating a solution becomes an organized system of interrelated activities, such as:
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The Systems Approach

Understanding a problem or opportunity
Defining problems and opportunities using systems thinking (in systems context)

Separating problems or opportunities from symptoms Identifying systems in the organization and environment Determining objectives, standards and constraints
Gathering Data and Information describing the problem/opportunity

Developing an information system solution

Designing alternative solutions

Evaluating Alternative Solutions

Evaluation Criteria Cost/benefit analysis

Selecting the Best Solution Implementing the information system Solution

Implement the selected solution Evaluate the Success of the Implemented Solution
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Developing e-commerce using Information System

The Systems Development Cycle
Developing information system solutions to business problems is a major responsibility of managerial end users. They are responsible for proposing or developing new or improved information systems for their organizations.

Compiled By, Gebrekiros H(MBA) Marketing Dep't

ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD

Developing an e-commerce website using information system is typically a multi step process or cycle. This is frequently called the systems development cycle or systems development life cycle (SDLC). The traditional information systems development cycle includes five steps: Investigation analysis design implementation maintenance

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ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD

Let's take a look at each step of this development process. 1) Systems Investigation This stage includes the following three steps. i) Information systems planning Survey the organization to screen and select potential systems development projects, including those generated by formal information systems planning. (Determine whether a business problem or opportunity exists) There are typically many opportunities to use information systems to support organization end users and its business operations, management decision making, and strategic objectives.

Compiled By, Gebrekiros H(MBA) Marketing Dep't

ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD

ii) Feasibility studies
Conduct a feasibility study to determine whether a new or improved information system is needed. A feasibility study is a preliminary study to investigate the information needs of prospective end users and the objectives, constraints, basic resource requirements, costs, benefits, and feasibility of a proposed project. The findings of this study are usually formalized in a written report. It includes preliminary specifications and a developmental plan for the proposed system.

Compiled By, Gebrekiros H(MBA) Marketing Dep't

ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD

The feasibility of a proposed system can be evaluated in terms of four major categories: Organizational feasibility- how well the proposed system supports the strategic plan of the organization. Economic feasibility- whether expected cost savings, increased revenue, increased profits, reductions in required investment, and other benefits exceed the costs of developing and operating a proposed system. Technical feasibility- whether reliable hardware and software capable of meeting the needs of a proposed system can be acquired or developed by the business in the required time. Operational feasibility- the willingness and ability of the management, employees, customers, suppliers, and so on to operate, use, and support a proposed system.

Compiled By, Gebrekiros H(MBA) Marketing Dep't

ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD III. Feasibility report This report is submitted to the management of the firm for its approval before development work can begin. If management approves the recommendations of the feasibility study, the systems analysis stage can begin. The goal of feasibility studies is to evaluate alternative systems and to propose the most feasible and desirable systems for development.

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The Systems Development CycleContd

2) Systems Analysis
Many of the system analysis activities are an extension of those used in conducting a feasibility study. However, systems analysis is not a preliminary study. It is an in-depth study of end user information requirements that is needed before the design of a new information system can be completed.
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The Systems Development CyClEConTD

Systems analysis traditionally involves a detailed study of:
The information needs of the organization and its end users. /organizational analysis/ The activities, resources, and products of any present information systems. (Analysis of the present system) The information system capabilities required to meet the information needs of users. / Functional requirements analysis/
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The Systems Development CycleContd

3) Systems Design

systems analysis describes what a system should do to meet the information needs of users. systems design specifies how the system will accomplish this objective. systems design consists of design activities, which produce system specifications satisfying the system requirements developed in the systems analysis stage. These specifications are used as the basis for software development, hardware acquisition, system testing, and other activities of the implementation stage.

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ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD

A useful way to look at systems design is illustrated in the following figure.

User Interface Design Screen, form, report, and dialog design

Data Design Data element structure design

Process Design Program and procedure design

System Design
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ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD

User Interface design
Focuses on designing the interaction between end users and computer systems. It concentrates on input /output methods and the conversion of data and information between humanreadable and machine-readable forms. Therefore, the UID produces detailed specifications for information products such as display screens, interactive user/ computer dialogues, audio responses, forms, documents, and reports.

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ThE SySTEmS DEvElopmEnT CyClEConTD Data Design

Focuses on the design of the logical structure of databases and files to be used by the proposed information system. Data design produces detailed descriptions of: The entities - people, places, things, events about which the proposed information system needs to maintain information. The relationships between these entities The specific data elements (databases, files, records, etc.) that need to be maintained for each entity tracked by the information system. The integrity rules that govern how each data element is specified and used in the information system.

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The Systems Development CycleContd

Process design
Focuses on the design of the software resources, i.e., the programs and procedures needed by the proposed information system. It concentrates on developing detailed specifications for the program modules that will have to be: Purchased as software packages, or Developed by custom programming. Thus, process design produces detailed program specifications and procedures needed to meet user interface and data design specifications.

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The Systems Development CycleContd

4) Systems implementation
Once a proposed information system has been designed, it must be implemented The systems implementation stage involves:
Acquisition of hardware and software Developing any computer programs that will not be acquired externally as software packages. Educating and training management, end users, and operating personnel.
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CONVERSION PROCESS
Parallel -Operating both new and old systems in parallel for a trial period Cut over- an immediate cutover to the new system. Phase- Phasing in the new system one location at a time polite Operation of a pilot system on a trial basis at one location example : involves having a small group of people use the new system, and then adding remaining people after verifying that the new system works?

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