BCIS 4610 Proposal

1. BCIS 4610 Proposal By : Team Logical Partition LLC. Hugh Hunton, Cody Morris, James Konderla, Mark Wallace BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

2. Team Experience 17 15 Executive Summary Our Understanding of your needs Goals of The Project Project Scope Overall Project Approach Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Project Timeline Budget & Fee Proposal Team Composition 18 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 14 Proposal Content BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

3. Overview BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

4. Executive Summary • Aidan Gray Home Inc. is a furniture manufacturer and distributer which targets the European themed furniture market. It’s business model has achieved immense success by combining a physical sales presence with a strong e-commerce division. Their most recent success was the opening of the first Aidan Gray Home Inc. retail store, Gray Living. • While Aidan Gray has achieved considerable growth since its founding, there are certain aspects of its business model that limit its potential for growth and efficiency. One such challenge is the fact that Aidan Gray has three separate databases, each containing vital information, that must be individually updated when changes need to be made. This creates serious inefficiency, slowing down Aidan Gray’s ability to operate profitably. In light of these challenges, Logical Partition has identified a solution: an application which will interface will all three databases. • Logical Partition will develop this application using a prototype focused approach, allowing its employees to quickly and effectively develop a seamless data-entry experience. The application will access the three databases via a user friendly application, allowing the user to make updates to all three database at once. By implementing this system, Aidan Gray will be able to reduce their data entry efforts by up to 66%. These savings will go directly to Aidan Gray’s bottom line, as they will be able to reduce their payroll costs or divert employee effort. While this issue could be approached in a different way, the proposed application will have the greatest impact for the capital invested by the client. As a whole, this application will be immensely beneficial for Aidan Gray Home Inc. • Key Deliverables and Benefits • System Requirement Analysis • Transparent Prototyping Process • User friendly interface • Successful database editing • Drastically increased efficiency • Reduction in data entry costs Executive Summary BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

5. Description of the Aidan Gray Home Inc. • Aidan Gray Home Inc. is a high end furniture manufacturer and distributer, based out of Carrollton, Texas. It’s CEO, Randall Weeks, contributes a unique vision that has contributed to Aidan Gray Home’s high level of success. They are a market leader in the design and production of antique European themed furniture and home décor, allowing them to capitalize on the high demand for European furniture in niche markets. They employ a full time staff of ten at their local office, and are represented by hundreds of sales reps throughout the country. In addition to their physical presence, Aidan Gray has established a successful e-commerce division, aimed at increasing revenue by capturing additional sales via the internet. As a whole, Aidan Gray’s business model is built on wholesale distribution, leveraging physical sales reps and online sales. In 2011, the company also opened Gray Living, its first retail store in McKinney, Texas. • Issues to be Addressed: • The nature of Aidan Gray's business means they carry quite a large inventory. Successful sale of product is dependent on accurate and up-to-date inventory information. So far, Aidan Gray has used a piecemeal system for addressing their business needs. Their main office uses an internal database, storing all product information from freight shipping rates, to quantity on hand. Website product information is generated through a separate database, which must be updated in addition to the internal system. Most recently, the company launched a mobile application for their sales reps, which allows the reps to place orders, view product images and specifications. The mobile application also has its own database, which must be maintained in addition to the other two. • This piecemeal system has created a problem for Aidan Gray. Maintaining an accurate product catalog across three different systems, which do not communicate with each other, is extremely inefficient. Keeping everything up to date would require hiring a full-time employee dedicated entirely to data entry. Manually entering information into three separate systems also increases the likelihood of typographical errors which can be very costly to the company. • In 2011 Aidan Gray attempted to remedy this problem by purchasing a new information system which would handle all three databases. Any change in product information or quantity-on-hand would be reflected real-time across all the systems. Unfortunately, the organization developing the system got behind schedule and over budget, so the plan was scrapped at a massive financial loss to Aidan Gray. Our understanding of your needs BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

6. The goal of the project • Logical Partition has identified the inadequacy in Aidan Gray's existing business process. The team's goal is to address this issue by reengineering existing business processes to eliminate redundancies and increase efficiency. • Rather than attempt to deploy another large costly information system, Logical Partition has decided to design a middle-ware utility. The goal of this utility is to eliminate the requirement of updating three databases. If the team is successful in this goal, Aidan Gray will only need to enter product updates into the single middle-ware utility. • Benefits for the client/other beneficiaries • Figure 1: Goals of the project • Estimations suggest that the implementation of this application will create a 66% reduction in time required to update all three databases. The benefits to the business owners will be a significant increase in productivity. End-users will have more time to focus on other duties, creating greater satisfaction and efficiency. Customers, clients, and inventory workers will enjoy greater accuracy in product information due to the elimination of potential data entry errors. Additionally, the cost and time required to design and implement this application is only 10% of the development costs of alternative solutions. All users will enjoy this solution much sooner than the alternatives, and at a fraction of the cost. There is also no increase to maintenance or hardware requirements, which means efficiency is increased while cost of operation remains the same. Goals of the project BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

7. Scope of the project • Logical Partition’s objective in this project is to create a middle-ware application between the three existing databases Aidan Gray currently uses. These three databases will be referred to as “in-house”, “excel”, and “web”. Any database added to Aidan Gray’s infrastructure in addition to the three mentioned above is beyond the scope of this project. Additionally, the application will be deployed on existing hardware within Aidan Gray’s office. The application is not guaranteed to work if there is significant modification to the hardware, or the network configuration on which it operates. Reconfiguring the application is only possible through rewriting source code, which is not available to the end user. Creating a user-configuration interface is also beyond the scope of this project. • The implementation of Logical Partition’s middle-ware solution is intended to reduce redundancy in data entry. Specifically, the goal is to provide a single interface in which a user can create new entries. After the user populates the required fields, it will be pushed live across all three databases. It is important to note – the application will only allow users to create new entries, or alter entries previously created using the application. The constraints of the project do not allow for synchronization of any data located in any of the three databases prior to implementation. More specifically this means any old records will need to be edited the old way. • The application will be written to work entirely through a web browser. No new software or hardware will be required. Users who currently have access to edit the three databases will use the same login information to gain access to the application. There will be a back-end feature in which an administrator will be able to create, edit or delete user login credentials. This administrator interface will also be entirely web browser based. • Key deliverables • System Specification • Hardware & Software Specifications • Interface Design • Physical Process Model • Database & File Specification • Physical Data Model • Programs& Documentation • Migration Plan: • Support Plan • Project Proposal • Interim project Report • Final Project Report • Limitations • No Synchronization of existing data, only synchronization of new data will occur in this system. • Client will NOT be able to edit the form and/or interface themselves, further editing of the pre-designed system will be done through consulting. • No structural changes to the database will be done after the Design Phase. • No changes will be allowed to database hardware to prevent unforeseen program or database errors. • Administrative access should be limited to keep from accidental deletion or breakage in the system. User accounts and passwords will be issued as needed. • No Remote Connection to the Database will be allowed due to security reasons. • After Implementation, the prior system will be seen as a separate entity and changes to the prior system will not affect the current system. Project scope BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

8. Our approach BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

9. Overall approach • To aid Aidan Gray Home Inc. and increase their efficiency in every day tasks we have selected a System Prototype-based approach to address Aidan Gray’s Problems. We selected this approach based on our unfamiliarity with Aidan Gray’s technology outside of the database department, the complexity of the problem of database integration, and the need for stability and reliability in any new system that would be implemented company-wide. • We have also determined that the short time frame of the project, as well as the intensive planning to develop a schedule and the unclear user requirements presented by the company that a Systems Prototype-based approach would fit this project best. Based on the data we have collected during many meetings with our company contact, and the current database system in place, we have decided that the best approach would be not to integrate the databases themselves, but to create a middleware application that will not only meet the goals of the project as far as increased efficiency and decreasing the time spent on database management, but will provide a friendly, easy-to-use, User Experience that provides one update form instead of having to enter the same data into three different databases. • The Systems Prototype approach will also help us to provide a seamless transfer to the new system, as we will be integrating data from the old system with the new one, providing access to current data without the need to re-enter any entries and reducing the time involved in data entry by up to 66%! We believe these savings will translate directly to both the company and the customer while providing a system that will continue to function under high stress levels as Aidan Gray continues to grow and excel in the Home Furnishing market. • Figure 1: Our approach • Production and Planning Phases: Overall project approach BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

10. Phase description – Analysis Phase • In this phase we will determine, through interviews and study of company policies, how our system can benefit your company. We will work closely with all departments involved to determine the different processes and to try to implement them in a way that produces the least amount of change to day-to-day activities while also providing the maximum increase in efficiency by reducing manpower and budget needed to address the specific problem. • We will accomplish these tasks by examining the feasibility of the project in the following ways: • Technical Feasibility • Economic Feasibility • Organizational Feasibility • This analysis will determine not only if we can build it, but if the project will provide business value and be used by employees. Upon Approval of the project we will determine the staffing and management needs for the project as well as the standards used, the timeframe needed, and an assessment of all risks undertaken by employees and the company as a whole. Below we have outlined the key activities and deliverables of this phase of the project. • Key activities • Identify the Opportunity for Improvement • Analyze Feasibility of the Improvement/project • Develop Work plan for the Project • Staff the Project • Control and Direct the Project • Key deliverables • System Request • Feasibility Study • Project Plan • Work Plan • Staffing Plan • Standards List • Risk assessment Phase 1 BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

11. Phase description - Design Phase • In this phase we will decide how the system will operate in terms of hardware, software, and network infrastructure that will need to either be implemented as part of the project or be in current existence in the company. We will also determine the design strategy, which will clarify who and where the program and/or hardware will be designed, the Architectural Design for the system, which will describe the hardware, software, and network infrastructure that will be used, the database and file specifications, which defines what data will be used by the system and where it will be stored, and lastly the program design, which defines the programs that need to be written and what each specific program will do. • At the end of this phase the feasibility analysis and project plan will be re-examined and revised as needed and the Project Sponsor and Approval Committee will determine whether the project should continue or be terminated. Once the decision has been made, assuming the project is approved for continuation, the deliverables, listed below, will be handed off to the appropriate development team for implementation. • Key activities • Design Physical System • Design Architecture • Design Interface • Design Programs • Design Databases and Files • Key deliverables • Alternative matrix • System Specification • Architecture Report • Hardware & Software Specifications • Interface Design • Physical Process Model • Program Design • Database & File Specification • Physical Data Model Phase 2 BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

12. Phase description - Implementation Phase • During this phase of Development the system, as specified during the Design phase and approved by the Coordinating Board, will be built. During this phase we will spend a considerable amount of time programming applications, building the hardware and networking system required, and implementing the required databases and software. • During the Construction portion of this phase we will both build and test the system to identify potential bugs and apply fixes as needed. We will them more into the installation process, where the old system is turned off and the new system is implemented in it’s place. This can be done through a direct cutover, parallel, or phased conversion strategy, which will be determined by both the Project Manager and the Coordinating Board based on the company’s needs. The training plan will also be developed at this point and implemented to make sure employees and managers alike are trained on the new system. • Once the system is implemented the analyst team will establish the support plan which will include a post-implementation review as well as a systematic way of identifying both major and minor bugs and fixes for both. • Key activities • Construct System • Install System • Maintain System • Post-Implementation • Key deliverables • Test Plan • Programs • Documentation • Migration Plan: • Conversion Plan • Business Contingency Plan • Training Plan • Support Plan • Problem Report • Change Request • Post-Implementation Audit Report Phase 3 BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

13. Budget and timeline BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

14. Project timeline • Major Deliverables: • Analysis Phase: • February 20th - Project Proposal Due • February 24th - Use Cases Development Completed • February 27th – Process Model Development Completed • March 5th – Data Models Development Completed • Design Phase: • March 13th – Architectural and User Interface Design Completed • March 26th - Interim Project report due • March 27th – Physical Process Model Completed • April 4th – Program and Database & File System Design Completed • Implementation Phase: • April 17th – Test, Migration, and Support Plans Completed • **April 18th – Installation of Prototype • April 20th – Problem Report and Change Request Design Completed • April 23rd - In-Class Presentation • April 30th - Final Project Report due • Project plan Project timeline BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

15. Overall Budget Budget / Professional Fees BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

16. Our team and experience BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

17. Hugh Hunton • Currently studying Business Computing and Information Systems at the university of North Texas. Experience in Building Computers, professional presentations, JAVA programming, MySQL, JSP, Javascript. Currently employed at a Yogurt Zone. • Team approach • Our team seeks to utilize our current knowledge of Web 2.0 technologies to collaborate and bring innovative ideas to old processes and develop new ones. • By utilizing the most recent technology, Team Logical Partition is poised to offer our clients superior solutions through innovative user experiences that span the width and breadth of the technology spectrum. • By using our previous knowledge and experience we draw on agile development of both hardware and software systems to develop innovative and cost-effective prototypes for our customers in order to better facilitate their business processes. • We take a client-oriented approach to develop user-friendly solutions to develop and deliver safe, intuitive, products that the user can “Pick up and Go” with little training or documentation. • We are Team Logical Partition. • James Konderla • Undergraduate Student at the University of North Texas with experience in Database Design, Web Design and Administration, Computer Tech Support (Windows Xp-7 & Server 2000-2008R2), and programming (MySQL, DB2, Java, C++, HTML/XHTML, CSS, JSP, Javascript). • Currently a tutor for BCIS4620 and owner/head designer for James Konderla Consulting Services. • Cody Morris • Currently studying Business Computing and Information Systems at the University of North Texas.  Work experience includes global collaborative outreach and deployment of secure large file transfer solutions.   Android development VIA Android SDK+ Eclipse. • Educational experience includes: JSP, JavaScript, C#, SQL, DB2, HTML/XML. Our Team • Mark Wallace Currently studying Business Information Systems at University of North Texas, experience in business statistics, business management, business law, professional presentations, marketing, JAVA programming, database design and administration, project management, COBOL and IBM Systems Z. BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal

18. Database Design & Deployment • One of Logical Partition’s most successful projects was a database created for a large retail client. This client was seeking to design and implement a database which would store not only inventory information, but also employee and location information as well. • Based on client specifications, Logical Partition designed a SQL database which successfully stored organizational data in a highly organized way. This organization allowed us to create a system which would enable our client’s employees to access the database in a very user friendly manner. • This aspect of our development has since become a large aspect of our Companies mission – To create solutions which are complex enough to deliver impressive results, but simple enough for anyone to use. • Mobile Database/Application Design • As part of Logical Partition’s expansion into Mobile Solutions, we applied our extensive database and Java expertise into developing an Android Application. The Client during this project requested an application that would allow their employees to submit their timesheets and track their hours VIA an Android application. • Technical aspects of this product include implementing an SQLite database using Amazon Web Services, accessed by an application developed using the Android SDK within the Eclipse IDE. Prototyping was implemented throughout this project, as prototyping was identified as the most efficient way to develop this solution. • This application is now widely available for a small cost on the Android App Market, under the title “LogicMobile Tracker” • Database Migration • Some of Logical Partition’s clients approach our firm not for a complete solution, but simply for consulting. On this project, we worked with an industry leader to assist their shift from a COBOL/Mainframe environment to a pure SQL deployment. • During this project, two of our best consultants followed the clients business executives for a week, analyzing and documenting current processes. Based on this information we conducted a systems analysis and identified pain points during system migration. • Based on our documentation and recommendations, the client was able to finish their migration to a SQL environment on time and within budgetary constraints. We strive to deliver results of this caliber for every project we involve ourselves with. • Hardware Solutions & Database Deployment • Many of our clients approach us with a vision for how they want their specific system to operate. While some of these Clients already have capable hardware in place, some must deploy new, more advanced, hardware. One great example of this was for a medium sized client, who operates in the retail sales market. • For this Project, we worked with our hardware acquisition partners to acquire discount rates applicable to their goals. Based on their operational budget, we were able to provide the hardware for a fully functioning, full scale database, which exceeds their functional requirements. The second phase of this project revolved around actually deploying their database onto their new hardware. • As a whole, this project is an example of how Logical Partition can deliver a full solution, from hardware acquisition to database deployment Relevant experience BCIS 4610 Project - Proposal