Web-Based Stock and Inventory Management System
Web-Based Stock and Inventory Management System
1
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Support business helps businesses manage their inventories. The data will be stored in
databases using web-based inventory control systems that aid in the organisation of entered
data for quick retrieval (Lvivity, 2018). These web-based data management systems utilise a
web browser to coordinate information over the internet or an organization's intranet (Lowe,
2020). This system handles procurement, shipment, receipt, monitoring, storage and
control system is necessary for providing accurate data to all organisational levels.
A complete stock and inventory control system includes a system for identifying each
inventory item and its associated information, such as barcode labels or asset tags, hardware
tools for reading barcode labels, such as handheld barcode scanners or smartphones with
barcode scanning apps, and inventory management software, which provides a central
database and point of reference for all inventory, as well as the ability to analyse data,
generate reports, and forecast future inventory needs. This should include a proved inventory
management technique, such as Just in Time, ABC Analysis, First-In First-Out (FIFO), or
another method, as well as personnel who are trained to adhere to these policies and
System (Walts, 2021). The system was created using an ultrasonic transducer and an internet-
connected processing device (such as a Raspberry Pi). Due to the highly sophisticated
equipment used, it was difficult for employees to perform their duties efficiently. In addition,
a Web-based Inventory Control System utilising Cloud Architecture and Barcode Technology
was developed for the Zambia Air Force, which employs a barcode system to identify objects
2
(Suresh et al., 2017). This system's limitation is that it can only identify objects in close
Performance of Selected Flour Mills Companies in Nigeria," inventories were tracked using a
workers to pick the necessary items; also, it provides them with packaging and other valid
information. Inventory control may be used to automate sales order fulfillment process and
also manage in and outward movement of items. Automation is the replacement of human
workers by technology. For optimal sales and inventory management process, robust
functionality is needed for managing logistics facilities. A Stock Management system is a tool
used to track goods and services of a company, it is a process that integrates the flow of
supplies into, and out of an organization to ensure right quality and quantity at right cost,
sales and product in a company. This application will maximize efficiency, reduce labour and
avoid over cost. It will be efficient in tracking goods on a daily basis, the inventory software
will enhance flow of goods, improve customer service and also enhance the flow of cash,
(Saleemi, 2019).
Before the Industrial Revolution, merchants basically had to write down all of the
products they sold each day. Then they had to order more products based on their hand-
written notes. This was totally inefficient and inaccurate way of doing business. They
couldn’t really account for stolen goods unless they did time-consuming physical counts on a
regular basis which seem to be more tedious. They also encountered errors making sure they
3
got the right number of products when orders came in because of sparse record keeping, then
a team in Harvard University worked together looking for better ways in which stock
management could be effective. They sat down trying to design how a computer would read
the punch cards and pass the information to the storeroom, according to (Saleemi, 2019),
stock management comprises various actions taken by the management to reduce cost,
maintain production, continuous supply and reduce loss. And today the computerized method
Due to a lack of money, so many businesses are unable to computerize their stock and
inventory system. Computerization entails the use of devices that operate in large part
automatically, thereby reducing human labour, documenting errors, and saving time.
contribution to several other aided systems in the field that might have developed to further
emphasize the importance of the use of computer in all areas of human life. MIDE
Supermarket Nigeria, a private organization is been used as a case study. Some activities are
being carried out manually and have the following weakness Capron (2021):
i. Disorganized records
4
1.3 Aim and Objectives
The aim of the study is to design and implement a web-based stock and inventory
management system for MIDE Supermarket Nigeria, which will help track inventory level as
stocks are being sold. And to make the services rendered are efficient, and also to eradicate
long queues, or scenario where customers are delayed before they are attended to.
a) To help the supermarket know when to re- order, pickups, shipping etc.,
b) To design system that will generate bill orders item tracking, service management,
c) To implement the design in (b) using a flexible programming language such as PHP.
The approach methodology and environment for the Web-based Stock and Inventory
Management System will be explained in this section. The web-based Inventory Management
system will be developed using the Waterfall Software development approach in which the
system is divided into different parts and executed sequentially in order to achieve distinct
highlighted goals.
This section focuses on the functional and non-functional requirements of the system,
use-case diagrams and specifications of each user of the system, and finally the class diagram
showing the interconnection between system objects. The implementation of this proposed
system will be done using PHP programming language and the storage of stock will be
achieved by integrating the MySQL database to the stock and inventory control system.
5
1.5 Expected Contribution to Knowledge
At the end of this implementation, creating a transition from an outdated paper based
system which adapts the use of spreadsheet to the automated and modernized system which
will help maintain the right balance of stock in the store is very significant, for a successful
business a system that would ensure the firms have sufficient stocks to meet customers need,
and also aid in monitoring as well as tracking and updating various transactions going on in
the supermarket should evolve for effective management, and accountability. This is needed
to reduce overall cost of operations, and to provide higher security in order to avoid
unauthorized access.
The scope of this study will cover MIDE Supermarket Nigeria as a whole, and its
6
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
company. In a small business, keeping item records with a pencil and paper may be adequate,
although it is not always deemed expedient. As time passes and the company grows,
operations and recordkeeping become too complex. In the present era, every corporation uses
Stock management helps the identification of necessary requirements, the monitoring of used
and available stocks, and the control of stock levels to prevent overstocking. Additional
capabilities may include the capacity to generate sales statistics, calculate and analyze the
primary requirement at a given time, and place the next required order with the vendors.
According to Nabil and Govardhan, this entire procedure is arduous and involves a
tremendous deal of time and effort, hence we employ a stock management system (2018).
It is crucial for balancing the requirement for excess supplies with the need to reduce
committed cash or capital. A stock management system offers retailers with a centralized
location to manage all activities, such as sales records, delivery, and the preparation of bills of
materials and work orders. The inventory control system proposed. MIDE-MART will apply
The software development life cycle (SDLC) plays an important role in the creation
of a new or existing system because it describes the system's comprehensive needs. It serves
as the basis for testing and is utilized by developers. Numerous methodologies, including
7
prototype, waterfall, iterative and incremental development, rapid application spiral
2.2.1 V Model
Each section terminates prior to the start of the subsequent one. This strategy places a
greater emphasis on testing than the waterfall paradigm. Nabil and Govardhan established the
V-shaped life cycle as the sequential execution path for processes in their 2018 research
comparing five software engineering models. The testing procedures are developed early in
the life cycle, prior to any coding, during each phase's implementation preceding the phase in
which they will be implemented. The life cycle model, like the waterfall approach, begins
with requirements. Before development commences, a system testing plan is designed. The
primary objective of the test plan is to ensure that the functionality defined during
The high-design phase focuses on the system's architecture and design. In this step, a plan for
testing the capacity of the software's components to function together is developed. During
the low-level design phase, however, the actual software modules and components are
designed. During the implementation stage, coding is executed once again. After coding is
complete, the execution path continues along the right side of the V, where previously
d) The early preparation of test plans during the life cycle increases the probability of
8
2.2.1.2 Disadvantages of V Model
c) This paradigm does not offer a clear mechanism for resolving issues discovered
Implementation
2.2.2 Modelling
9
Fig. 2.3: Prototype model Sande, O.F. (2020).
It will raise the system's complexity as the system's scope may expand.
According to Sande, O.F., the grandfather of data warehouses, the first data warehouses were
10
inventory management, financial record keeping, and purchasing of products and services
problem." German economist Johann Heinrich von Thunen is considered the "founder of
2. History
Warehouse management dates back to ancient Egypt, where humans sought strategies
to manage harvested grains. In fact, their evolution necessitated keeping papyrus grain
warehouse inventories stayed same as the world evolved. Historically, management was
conducted with pen and paper, which was inefficient and left records prone to errors, damage,
or tampering. This made matters more challenging as your firm expanded, which is
computers, but the big shift occurred when individuals began to design software that could
manage data more efficiently. Currently current warehouse management systems and new
solutions allow organizations to function more efficiently than ever before. The features aid
in fulfilling some activities, such as receiving and storing, but also take care of minor duties,
such as shipping information, receipts, printings, and notifications, which can all be
accomplished online and shared and accessed by employees regardless of location or time
zone.
At Mide Supermarket, a sales associate assists customers who have called to enquire
about or purchase merchandise. If the buyer is not a new customer, he is instructed to make
an order for the things he need, after which he pays for his purchase and receives a receipt.
The organization utilizes an inclusive services paradigm. Full services are a methodology or
11
payment, the cashier delivers a receipt to the customer; the original receipt is given to the
buyer, while the duplicate is preserved for accounting purposes. Each of the organization's
four core departments is overseen by an accountant responsible for sales records, payment,
account balance, and other associated responsibilities. The Sales division is responsible for
the importing and distribution of items. The warehouse department officer ensures the receipt
of stored items. When an urgent need arises, the department of merchandising is responsible
They receive output from the merchandized section so they can compose their
quotation. After the quotation has been accepted, the supplier will deliver the products to the
warehouse and issue two copies of the invoice, one of which will be provided to the supplier
and the other will be attached to the LPO for the accounting department to handle.
Due to the fact that MIDE Supermarket Nigeria has branches in Lagos and
communicates between them via product transfer, it is conceivable for a product to be in high
demand at one branch but discontinued at another. This form of product transfer occurs when
a product's stock level declines precipitously and immediate replacement is necessary. The
company is using a manual inventory management system. Before servicing consumers, the
organization's sales assistants must count the number of each product's inventory each
morning. In addition, a fixed number is recorded for each product, beyond which it must not
12
fall before being restocked. Therefore, if an item goes below that value, the sales associates
paper or deploying the most complex radio frequency technology. Despite the fact that every
sort of inventory system has advantages and downsides, there are several ways in which the
system could be constructed to help the situation. It boils down to which system offers the
d) Barcode Engineering
RFID tags, or simply "tags," are miniature transponders that send a serial number or
other identifier in response to a reader's requests. They are widely used for tracking objects in
manufacturing environments and labeling products in grocery stores. In general, they are
However, their application scope is far more extensive. This enables various novel
RFID applications, including the tracking of moving objects and the location of misplaced
objects. RFID tags are expected to proliferate into the billions in the next years, however they
are treated identically to barcodes without respect to the privacy issues of this modern
13
technology. In addition, possible solutions for RFID system weaknesses are discussed. At its
most fundamental level, a radio frequency identification (RFID) system comprises of a tag
(also called a transponder) and a reader (sometimes called an interrogator). The tag is
designed to be small and affordable – perhaps the size of a credit card or less – but the reader
is often more expensive and larger, perhaps the size of a laptop computer. The RFID tag
contains a small amount of memory for storing data, and the data is broadcast anytime the tag
is in close contact.
technology offers a reading range of up to 40 feet with passive technology and 300 feet with
active technology (Hamlett, 2006). A common RFID deployment in the real world involves
the attachment of many RFID tags to physical items. When one of these objects gets within
range of the RFID reader, the information on its tag can be read and utilized to identify or
provide information about the object. Similarly, RFID applications in the real world
commonly utilize several RFID readers so that tagged objects can be identified in multiple
locations. Reader's radio transmission signal. This requires the reader to initiate
communication, but dramatically reduces the cost of the identification. RFID comes in two
varieties: active and passive. Active RFID operates better in an environment with security
concerns, whereas passive RFID utilises scanners solely for inventory tracking. (2019).
To maintain an accurate stock count and for accounting purposes, even the smallest
systems are available to business owners. The manual system offers a variety of potential
advantages and disadvantages. They primarily use spreadsheets. Spreadsheets are developed
to compute when particular inventory numbers must be reported. Prior to the beginning of
14
each new week, the person in charge of inventory manually counts the available products or
stockpiles and enters the data into a spreadsheet. This is one of the earliest techniques, despite
Note that if the correct spreadsheet formula is implemented, the proprietor can determine the
available inventory and determine if restocking is required. A manual system gives a small
operation or suggest when it is time to reorder, the owner administers it personally, which
necessitates frequent access to his items, such as stock counting before placing an order. This
strategy assists the owner in evaluating the state of his goods, hence reducing the probability
Despite drawbacks such as labor-intensiveness and error-proneness, etc. Sande, O.F. (2019).
such as inventory control, picking, and auditing. The major purpose is to track and control the
movement and storage of product or materials within a warehouse, and to process the
associated inventory tasks, such as receiving, adding, picking, quality control, shipping,
reporting, and forecasting, including liquification. The legs at the end of the line automate the
store's administration, traffic flow, and shipping. Management of the storage of inventories or
products and the services given on the product within the four walls of a warehouse (Sande,
2020).
inventory management Sande, O.F. (2020). In the 1960s, barcodes were employed to identify
railroad carriages in industrial settings. In the 1970s, barcodes appeared in grocery stores to
15
automate the identification of food products. A barcode is a set of parallel vertical lines or
bars used to assign an item's unique identification code. A barcode combines many sequences
to provide a unique number or string of characters that identifies the object (Encarta, 2009).
Barcodes are utilized mostly by organizations with significant inventories. It aids in the
maintenance of a central database on a computer system that monitors product prices, stock
levels, and inventory levels. Barcode technology is so precise and efficient at stock
management that it is possible to change prices as often as required without having to affix
new price tags to all bottles or boxes. It assigns a unique number to each object to be
categorised and then writes the number on the item so an electronic scanning device can read
it. (2020).
scanner for the item a consumer is now purchasing. This barcode technology operates by
scanning the tags or barcodes on the item, and then sending the information to a computer.
This enables the seller to track sales and inventory at the checkout counter or with a portable
scanner, informing the retailer of which items have sold out. Sande, O.F. (2020). Noting that
a software is developed for effective management, the software's role is to understand the
numbers from the barcode and match them with the sort of product they represent. The main
aim of this is to enable tracking, recording, and providing quick information about a specific
object easier when requested. (2020). A standard software should be able to perform multiple
tasks, such as record keeping, storing client information, determining when to reorder, when
the stock is excessive, and how many items have been sold, providing a clear picture of the
company's activities. The software is sometimes set to reorder so that the company never runs
out of stock. The proposed software provides access to analytical data for the manager, who
must make better decisions so as not to incur a loss. In the field of reordering, the Electronic
16
Data Interchanged (EDI) system is utilized to transmit the company's requirement for
which data or information is sent or received between two parties, namely the retailer and the
vendor. It is important to note that these stock management types also have their drawbacks.
For the RFID technology, people claim that a great deal of information is leaked, and
maximum privacy cannot be guaranteed because it reveals additional information about their
purchasing habits and personal information. Kenneth points out that another problem of
RFID technology is that it can "step on" or "collide" with one another, making precise
readings extremely difficult. Arsan T., Bas, E kan , E. Ar Z. & Bozkus (2018).
However, the majority of firms have reduced the system's features, which include
high efficiency, the need for less warehouse space, less cash invested in stocks, and improved
sales. The system facilitates better information sharing between the retailer and the vendor,
which reduces costs for both parties as well as the customers. The stock management system
can help remove purchased items from the stock tally to maintain an accurate inventory
count, and it can also assist a worker in locating the items on the order list within the
applicable not only in retail production areas, but also in any firm that controls a supply chain
Stock management systems ensure that products can be identified anytime they are
required by providing businesses with real-time inventory tracking data that makes it easy to
access and evaluate stock information in real-time with a simple database search.
17
Stock management control minimizes the value of inventories held by merchants or business
owners (i.e. conserves cash) and ensures that the business has the proper stock in the right
c) ABC system
e) Batch management
Maximum stock level is the most stock of a particular item that a business is able or
willing to hold at a given time; it may also reflect storage capacity (permanent and
temporary); it also reflects management control over spending by the purchasing department;
re-order level helps track the order placed and the stock delivered by the supplier; when
stocks held of an item fall into this category, that is when the stock is almost gone. Note: It is
crucial to avoid "stock-outs" (lost sales) and production disruptions, according to Avinash N
18
Re-order quantity
(Stock Level) (55,000 units)
10
50 . – order
Re level
“Lead time
between re-
ordering and stocks
reaching minimum”
1 2 3 4 5 6 Time (months)
Economic order quantity is a formula used to strike a balance between storing too much
inventory and not enough. Avinash N Bhute and B B Meshram suggest that it may be simpler
19
2.7.3 The ABC Methodology
This system identifies which stock item requires the most management attention and
generates an indication for this. In this system, stocks are classified into three categories
based on sales value, with the highest-value stocks receiving the most management attention
(2019).
JIT focuses on minimizing the holding costs of stock in a warehouse; the idea is that
stocks are brought into the production process only when they are needed; it is described as a
system that attempts to operate production with minimal/zero buffer stocks; with JIT systems,
production and purchasing are closely linked to weekly sales demand. The continual
movement of raw materials into stock is facilitated by this method, and after work-in-
When managing the manufacture of goods in batches, you must ensure that you have
enough components to meet your demands until the next batch is produced. If your needs are
predictable, you may order a predetermined quantity of goods each time you place an order or
at a fixed interval, such as once a week or once a month. You are, in fact, putting a standing
order, therefore you must monitor the numbers and costs. — Jason Gilmore W, Beginning of
to prevent spoilage. Inventory is designated by the date it was received and proceeds through
20
2.8 Advantages of Inventory Management
daily activities that entail purchasing and selling. The purpose of automated management is to
provide accurate analysis of required information and reduce the likelihood of error. A solid
inventory system notifies the retailer, if reordering is necessary, when the company is running
low on stock. A stock management system ensures quality control and proper management so
that the company does not incur a loss. For instance, if a wholesaler purchases one million
bottles of perfume and discovers that one thousand bottles are missing, manually counting the
Stock management systems can shorten the time required to respond to fluctuating product
Inventory management systems allow businesses to properly manage or control their stock.
In order to make effective inventory selections, a stock management system enables firms to
analyze their business processes, such as sales and purchasing, on an ongoing basis.
b) Provides hands-on inventory data that could lead to higher sales and
The software for the automated inventory control system is a computer-based system
for monitoring product levels, orders, sales, and delivery. In the manufacturing industry, it
can be used to create work orders, bills of materials, and other production-related documents.
21
Companies use inventory management software to prevent product overstock and outages, as
well as to organize inventory data that was previously recorded on paper. The program
consists of components that collaborate to form a unified inventory control system, which
Asset tracking involves tracking products in a warehouse or store using barcodes and other
Order management: A company's inventory control system can be set to notify managers to
reorder a product when its stock reaches a certain low point. This prevents businesses from
product-oriented might use this software to keep track of the cost of the materials used to
offer services. Thus, businesses are able to attach prices to their services that reflect their
Arsan, Bas kan, and Bozkus (2013) published an essay titled "Warehouse
Management System" in which they asserted that inventory is a crucial issue that managers
and manufacturers are interested in due to its impact on the organization's performance. The
suggested system's strengths include its ability to reduce costs and improve customer service,
while its weakness is its inability to encode a unique serial number for each unit of goods in
the barcode.
Sande (2013) published an essay entitled "Performance Indicators for Logistics Service
Provision and Warehouse Management." They suggested that clients should anticipate faster
delivery times and more precise services. Consequently, the complexity of logistics service
provider control rises, and performance indicators can support the management of complex
22
systems. The accomplishment of the proposed system is the just-in-time inventory
management model, an automated system that seeks to ensure rapid service availability when
required while minimizing stock-handling costs, while the shortcoming of the system is the
ineffectiveness of the economic order quantity (EOQ) method as a result of poor results
Avinash, Bhute, and Meshram (2016) published an article entitled "The definitive guide to
warehousing." He suggested that warehouse operators add value for manufacturers, assembly
and operations points, and consolidation points by receiving, storing, maintaining, picking,
and shipping materials to support the large volume purchase discount. This system's strength
is its capacity to enhance low-cost strategies, while its weakness is its incapacity to manage a
essential to the proper operation and retailing of a business. This system's achievement is the
ability to examine the nature of the association between inventory management and
organizational profitability, while its deficiency is the inability to increase the diversity of
Beginning in 2020, Jason Gilmore W. authored a journal titled "Design and Implementation
of Warehouse Management Using Barcode System." They suggested that the availability of
good warehouse management is one of the most significant factors a business should
consider. The deployment of barcode technology can improve the quality of warehouse
23
management. The accomplishment is the system's capacity to enhance data quality, but the
Alter, Glenn, and Browne (2015) published an article titled "Warehouse Performance
advantage, which can be accomplished by reducing logistics costs. The ability to improve
performance by presenting key performance indicators is the accomplishment, while the high
cost of maintenance is the shortcoming. Sande, O.F. (2009) published an essay titled
information technology will allow for more efficient communication and control, which is
system's strength is its capacity to improve the inventory management of raw materials, while
its weakness is its incapacity to deal with enormous volume and variety.
24
CHAPTER THREE
After reviewing the literature study in the previous chapter, this section will discuss
the project's planning phase and approach. The applicable model describes and determines the
subtopics. Methodology is the process of identifying the project's objectives and developing
the policies, processes, and programs required to achieve them. It includes planning, cost
project is crucial since it can minimize or reduce uncertainty, increase the operation's
This pertains to the precise methods adopted for acquiring and analysing the data
required to identify or solve the problem being investigated. The scope of this study includes
MIDE SUPERMARKET in the state of Lagos. The objective of the research methodology is
to provide an overview of the methodologies utilized in this study. In addition, it specifies the
system development life cycle (SDLC) for system development. The research approach
described here is based on the methods used to collect data on the real-world situation
involving online retail chain stores and to identify system requirements. From the analytical
study, comprehension of the researched material and questionnaire analysis will dictate the
first system needs. For SDLC, the v model serves as the approach. Following the completion
of the first requirements, the following step is system design, followed by coding and testing.
There are many techniques used to collect data. The techniques used to collect data for this
• Literature review.
25
• Survey (questionnaire).
• Brainstorming.
As was mentioned in chapter 2, the systems were reviewed in order to determine similar
features and functionalities. The features and importance of the systems have been
and customers possess and require. The surveys are structured to collect information on
enterprises with stock management systems and clients that shop at the supermarket.
The works begin with finding the information about the project. This is where the
research problems are identified. In this project, need to identify the databases that need to
use in this inventory and design the form for an application. It has been the problems that
need to be solved.
The works continues with the literature reviews on comparing database between SQL
and Microsoft Office Access and comparing between Software developer JAVA or Visual
basic. This is important for the researcher to understand the fundamental concept and
26
Fig. 3.1: Process for software development
This task was accomplished by collecting materials from various sources. I conducted oral
interviews with stakeholders and potential users of similar systems, which was one of the
The internet was an additional source that presented me with a lot of information that I used
to study crucial topics. Some websites are willing to supply important inventory management
information.
27
3.3.1 Primary Source
This entails conducting oral interviews with workers from several supermarkets in
Lagos, examining and discussing their experiences with the challenges they face when
This includes the use of journals, dictionaries, electronic books and internet
This covers my personal visit to various supermarkets in Lagos during their working
hour and I observed that their warehouse looked disorganized, the queue of retailers waiting
From the case study, every system has its own model to develop the system. Some developers
use
Prototyping model, Spiral model and so on. MIDE is designed using V Model because of it is
simple and easy to use, each phase has specific deliverables, higher chance of success over
the waterfall model due to the early development of test plans during the life cycle, works
well for small projects where requirements are easily understood and so on.
Throughout the years, the present system has been manually operated, and all
system reveals that it is error-prone and that its records are erroneous. A staff member
attempting to log sales while running back to attend to a line of eager customers is an
illustration. This causes the place to be so congested with customers that only one employee
28
can serve them. Due to the unavailability of personnel, customers who have other obligations
may miss their numerous appointments. While a result, it is extremely difficult for the
attendants to keep an exact record as pressure is applied to him. The attendant may
mistakenly write a customer's order and have it delivered to the wrong individual. MIDE
Supermarket has legally adopted the manual approach, which has resulted in inadequate cords
and bad management for the company, resulting in the potential loss of customers.
The operational data base is designed below using the format of the INS.DBD. The
design is made to accommodate, database design, representation, character type, field size
USERNAME TEXT 15
PASSWORD TEXT 15
CATEGORIES TEXT 15
(BRANDS)
29
TOTAL PRICE CURRENCY 20
(IN STOCK)
For proper and efficient management, the design of the new system is the most
significant aspect in the automation of the inventory management system. During the design
process, the daily report on the status of customer orders is gathered, and customer order
Inputs are the unprocessed data that the user enters into the computer for processing.
The system accepts input from the keyboard and mouse. The mouse and keyboard are used
for the registration of record information. The mouse is essential for closing windows and
confirming passwords. Input text and values into the boxes using the keyboard.
30
3.6.2 Output specification
An output is the information or result obtained from processing data which has been
fed into the computer e.g. screen, printer etc. the major output documents here will be the
3.6.3 Processing
There are products sold to and supplied to customers. A consumer selects an item
from a shelf, the order processing is executed, the stock of each item is checked to determine
whether it is available or not, and then the purchase is completed. After formalities are
completed, the system generates a bill, which is then printed and mailed to the consumer.
Management automates and maintains the work area to develop a more efficient system.
This project's files are composed of many data types. Some files are created and
linked to the database. There are numerous benefits to keeping data in a database, and the
When a database is utilized, all data are stored in one spot, all tables are stored in a single file,
and we do not need to deal with different buttons. Although all data is kept in a single file,
disparities exist due to the use of tables, as each table is recorded in the file as a different
entity. Relationships between tables can be defined and are also stored within the database.
Validation can be defined at both the field and table level, ensuring that the data being stored
The diagram (fig 3.7) below shows the flow of control through a system while
specifying all programs, inputs, input from keyboard, CPU, disk storage, report and output.
This flow chart is to be the basis for communication among system analyst, and users,
applications programmers and computer operators. It serves as a technical blue print for
31
implementation. This chart represents how the program starts operation, the operation that
CPU: Central Processing unit is responsible for processing the input and sending it to the disc
Report: final analysis of goods going in and out of the ware house.
Output: the final stage on the flow chart where the data is read as information and can thereby
32
Fig 3.5: System implementation Flowchart
LOGIN
NEW
SUMMARY ABOUT
REGISTER VIEW USER
CUSTOMER
RECORDS US
PRODUCTS TRANSACTION
EDIT EDIT
CUSTOMERS PRODUCT
RECORD
This graphic deconstructs the software's components. When the software is launched, the
Login form displays, and the user must enter the Username and Password required by the
software to access all of its functions. After entering details, the user can finally acquire
access (i.e. software). After completing the Login form, the manage button appears in the
upper-left corner of the homepage. The manage button comprises four drop-down menus: the
staffs form, the items form, the customers form, and the users form. The next button close to
manage is the Transaction button, which has a single drop-down menu for the point of sale,
followed by the Monitoring button, which has two drop-down choices, and the Exit button,
33
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1 Implementation
In this chapter, we delve into the practical aspects of implementing the web-based stock and
inventory management system that was designed in the previous chapter. The implementation
phase involves the actual development of the system, including setting up the development
In this section, the study shall explore the essential aspects of setting up the
development environment for your web-based stock and inventory management system,
using HTML, CSS, JavaScript for the front-end, MySQL for the database, and PHP Laravel
development. For the front-end, we opted for a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) provided the structural framework for creating web
pages, while CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) was used for styling and layout. JavaScript, a
versatile scripting language, played a pivotal role in creating interactive and dynamic features
Front-end Development
i. HTML and CSS: In the front-end development phase, HTML was employed to
structure the content of the web application. CSS was used to define the visual
presentation, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing user interface. The use of
34
responsive design techniques allowed the system to adapt seamlessly to various
ii. JavaScript: JavaScript was utilized extensively for enhancing user interactivity. It
powered features like real-time updates of stock levels, dynamic filtering of inventory
items, and client-side form validation. These dynamic functionalities improved the
user experience by providing instant feedback and reducing the need for full page
reloads.
implemented using PHP Laravel as the framework and MySQL as the database management
system. This section delves into the details of this crucial aspect of the project.
Laravel, a robust and widely-used PHP framework, was chosen for its elegance and
developer-friendly features. Laravel simplifies many common web development tasks and
i. Server Setup: Laravel's artisan command-line tool was used to create a new project,
set up the server, and configure essential settings. Laravel's built-in development
ii. API Development: Laravel's RESTful API capabilities were leveraged to create a
structured API for communication between the front-end and back-end components.
This allowed for efficient data exchange and easy integration with the front-end user
interface.
iii. Database Integration: MySQL was selected as the relational database management
35
simplified database interactions, making it easy to define and manage database tables,
secure the application. This included user registration, login, and access control,
ensuring that only authorized users could perform inventory management tasks.
The database plays a crucial role in storing and managing inventory data. In this
section, we delve into the design and implementation of the MySQL database that underlies
Database Design
The database design phase involved defining the structure of the database, including tables,
relationships, and constraints. The key components of the database design included:
i. Tables: Tables were created to represent entities such as products, categories, users,
and transactions. Each table was carefully designed to store relevant information, and
ii. Data Types: Appropriate data types were chosen for each field to ensure efficient
storage and retrieval of data. This included using INT for numeric values, VARCHAR
iii. Indexes: Indexes were added to optimize query performance, especially for
iv. Constraints: Constraints, such as primary keys and foreign keys, were applied to
enforce data integrity rules. For instance, the use of foreign keys ensured that product
36
The successful implementation of the MySQL database and its seamless integration with
Laravel's Eloquent ORM laid the foundation for efficient data storage and retrieval within the
system.
how the front-end, back-end, and database components were seamlessly integrated to create a
The front-end, developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, was designed to interact
with the back-end built with PHP Laravel. AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML)
requests were used to facilitate real-time communication between the user interface and the
server. This allowed for dynamic updates and improved user experience without the need for
The RESTful API endpoints served as the bridge between the front-end and back-end,
enabling data retrieval, modification, and synchronization. For instance, when a user updated
inventory quantities or performed a transaction, the front-end sent API requests to the
appropriate endpoints, and the back-end processed these requests and updated the database
accordingly.
B. Database Integration
The MySQL database, which stores product information, transaction history, and user
data, was seamlessly integrated with the back-end using Laravel's Eloquent ORM. This ORM
37
allowed for easy interaction with the database, enabling the creation, retrieval, and
The testing and quality assurance phase is crucial to ensure that your inventory
management system functions correctly, is secure, and meets user expectations. In this
section, we discuss the comprehensive testing procedures that were undertaken during the
development process.
A. Types of Testing
Several types of testing were performed to ensure the system's reliability and functionality:
i. Unit Testing: Individual components, both on the front-end and back-end, were
rigorously tested to ensure that they operated as expected. This included testing
ii. Integration Testing: The interaction between different modules, including the front-
end, back-end, and database, was thoroughly tested to ensure data flowed correctly
iii. User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Actual users, representing different roles within the
system, participated in UAT. They provided valuable feedback on the user interface,
workflows, and overall usability. This feedback was used to make necessary
improvements.
iv. Performance Testing: The system was subjected to load testing and stress testing to
identified and addressed to ensure smooth operation even during peak usage.
scanning, was conducted to identify and mitigate potential security risks. This helped
38
in safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring that the system was protected against
Throughout testing, any issues or bugs that were identified were logged and tracked using a
dedicated issue tracking system. This allowed for systematic debugging and resolution of
problems, ensuring that the final system was stable and reliable.
Quality assurance was not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Automated
testing scripts and tools were used to perform regression testing, ensuring that code changes
By rigorously testing and ensuring the quality of your inventory management system,
you've laid the groundwork for a robust and dependable solution that meets the needs of users
defines the rules and protocols for interaction between different software components or
systems. It acts as a bridge, allowing applications to communicate, exchange data, and access
software and services, fostering interoperability and innovation in the tech ecosystem.
39
Figure 4.1: Login Page
Figure 4.1 depicts the Login Page of the web-based stock and inventory management
application. This page serves as the primary entry point for authorized users, providing a
secure gateway to access the system's extensive features. The Login Page features two
essential input fields: the Username Field, where users enter their unique usernames or email
addresses for identification, and the Password Field, designed for securely inputting the user's
40
Figure 4.2: New User Registration Page
Figure 4.2 illustrates the New User Registration Page, a vital component of the web-based
stock and inventory management application. This page facilitates the onboarding of new
users by collecting essential information, including a chosen username, email address, phone
number, password, and associated company details. Users can securely enter these details,
which are then used to create their accounts, enabling access to the system's comprehensive
inventory management features. The registration page streamlines the process of joining the
platform, ensuring efficient user account creation while maintaining data security and user
privacy.
41
Figure 4.3: Application Dashboard for Admin
Figure 4.3 provides a snapshot of the Application Dashboard tailored for administrators,
offering a comprehensive and centralized control hub for managing inventory and
management, sales analytics, user account administration, and superstore management tools.
The dashboard's intuitive layout and user-friendly design enable administrators to monitor
and optimize inventory, oversee sales trends, and efficiently manage supermarket resources,
42
Figure 4.4: Purchase and POS Dashboard
Figure 4.4 portrays the Purchase and Point of Sale (POS) Dashboard, a key component of the
web-based stock and inventory management system. This dashboard offers an efficient and
user-friendly interface for both customers and cashiers. Customers can explore a
comprehensive product list, search for items, make selections, and proceed with purchases.
After selection, the system enables customers to finalize their transactions securely and
efficiently by processing payments. For cashiers, this dashboard streamlines the checkout
process, allowing them to manage customer orders, calculate totals, and complete
transactions seamlessly.
The system requirements for your web-based stock and inventory management system,
43
Software Requirements
To run your web-based stock and inventory management system effectively, several
software components are essential. First, you will need an operating system compatible with
your chosen web server, such as Linux or Windows Server. A robust web server, like Apache
alternative relational database system (e.g., PostgreSQL or MariaDB) will serve as the
backend database management system. For server-side scripting and development, PHP,
used extensively for backend development. On the frontend, you'll utilize HTML, CSS, and
JavaScript to create the user interface, with the option to integrate a modern frontend
Hardware Requirements
On the hardware side, your system requires a robust server infrastructure. This
includes a dedicated or virtual server with adequate CPU, RAM, and storage capacity to
handle expected user loads and data volumes. To ensure efficient database operations, a
separate server or instance for the database management system (e.g., MySQL) is necessary.
A reliable internet connection is essential for hosting the web-based system and providing
user access. Implementing a backup strategy and redundancy measures to safeguard data
integrity and ensure system availability is recommended. Finally, users' devices, including
desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, with modern web browsers, are required to
44
4.2 Performance Evaluation
to assess its efficiency and responsiveness. Key aspects of this evaluation include:
Load testing was conducted to determine how the system performs under various levels of
load, including peak usage scenarios. This testing aimed to identify bottlenecks, server
Stress testing involved pushing the system to its limits to identify the breaking point. This
The system's scalability was assessed to ensure it could accommodate future growth.
Scalability considerations included database scaling, server load balancing, and resource
allocation.
Security testing and evaluation were performed to identify and address vulnerabilities related
to data security, user authentication, and protection against common web security threats.
UAT was conducted with actual users to gather feedback on usability and functionality. User
feedback was used to make final refinements and improvements to the system.
45
4.2.6 Performance Optimization
46
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
In the culmination of this project, we can firmly assert that the development of our
web-based stock and inventory management system has not only met but exceeded our initial
objectives and expectations. Throughout this endeavour, a suite of powerful tools and
technologies played a pivotal role in shaping our system's success. The integration of HTML,
CSS, and JavaScript on the front-end provided a user interface that was both visually
appealing and functionally intuitive. This was further enhanced by the use of a modern front-
end framework, React, which enabled real-time updates, dynamic filtering, and a responsive
facilitating the seamless development of RESTful APIs that bridged the gap between our user
interface and the database. MySQL, our chosen database management system, ensured
efficient data storage and retrieval, underpinning the core functionality of the system. The Git
version control system, alongside a dedicated code editor, allowed for collaborative
manage their inventory, streamline transactions, and gain insights through real-time data
analytics. It has not only improved the efficiency of inventory management but has also
enhanced the overall operational agility of businesses, allowing them to respond to market
changes swiftly and optimize resource allocation. Data security measures, including robust
authentication mechanisms and encryption, guarantee the confidentiality of user data. Regular
testing and quality assurance practices have further bolstered the system's reliability.
47
As we conclude this project, it is clear that our web-based stock and inventory management
system is not merely a solution but a catalyst for operational excellence. While we have
successfully met our project goals, it's important to recognize that technology continually
evolves, and there is always room for enhancement. As such, our recommendations for the
advanced data analytics to provide deeper insights, and continuous security updates to
safeguard against emerging threats. Additionally, strengthening user training and support
materials will ensure that users can leverage the system's full potential.
5.2 Recommendations
Looking ahead, several avenues for improvement and optimization present themselves
to further enhance the capabilities and impact of our web-based stock and inventory
management system. Firstly, the integration of our system with suppliers' systems or the
provision of a dedicated API for suppliers could significantly improve supply chain
placement.
devices would grant users the flexibility to manage inventory and process transactions on the
go, aligning with the increasingly mobile-centric nature of business operations. Furthermore,
the implementation of advanced analytics and data visualization tools would empower users
to gain deeper insights into sales trends, demand forecasting, and inventory turnover, thereby
materials, including comprehensive documentation and video tutorials, would further assist
48
Continuous vigilance through regular security audits, updates, and robust testing
establishing a user feedback mechanism within the system would ensure that user input is
continually gathered, enabling us to identify areas for improvement and tailor future updates
to user needs. Embracing these recommendations will not only enhance the system's
capabilities but also ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness in an ever-evolving
business landscape.
49
REFERENCES
Capron. H.L. (2021). Web-Based Application: What it is, and why you should use it.
https://lvivity.com/web-basedapplications
Chassiakos, A.P., & Sakellaropoulos, S.P. (2008). A web-based system for managing
construction information.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965997808001129
Jason Gilmore W. (2020). Title of the paper discussing the Design and Implementation of
Warehouse Management Using Barcode System. Journal Name, Volume(Issue),
Page numbers.
Muyumba T. (2017, January). A Web based Inventory Control System using Cloud
Architecture and Barcode Technology for Zambia Air Force.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321496142_A_Web_based_Inventory_Con
trol_System_using_Clo
ud_Architecture_and_Barcode_Technology_for_Zambia_Air_Force
Nabil, A., & Govardhan, A. (2018). Title of the paper where V-shaped model was discussed.
Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page numbers.
Suresh J., Poorvi M.B., & Sunil M.P. (2017, January). Inventory Management System Using
IOT.
50
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311216054_Inventory_Management_Syste
m_Using_IOT
51