Point of Sale - Chapter 3
Point of Sale - Chapter 3
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
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 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
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 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
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
During the systems implementation phase, the new system is constructed. The
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Development of a Web-Based Point of Sale System
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
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
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
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
Field Sources. The manager and other employees of Joshua and Caleb General
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 development of a Web-Based Point of Sale for Joshua and Caleb General
Interview
The researchers conducted an interview with the employees of Joshua & Caleb
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
Observation
The researchers observed the business operations of Joshua & Caleb Gen.
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
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