Project Overview 1

Chapter 1

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Background of the Study

Technology innovation has exposed to people a digitalized world

composed of interconnected ideas, knowledge and skills that cause information

explosion throughout the world. This condition forces man to create more and

more digital machines, computer-based applications, and other endeavors for the

comfort and easy way of living.

Internet plays a very important role in the development of organizations

companies, industries, schools and various institutions thus information comes

and goes at very fast pace and it is accessed by greater number of users. It is a

tool best used in addition to traditional research sources. It is widely used to

lessen the heavy workloads of people and the easiest way to search and gather

information. The shops are advertising the products in many ways in the

newspaper and in media. Most businesses rely heavily on hardcopy of product

literature for sales and marketing activity. It is costly to design, print and

distribute the materials.

(http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/adobepdf.html)

More and more people these days are using the internet as a first post of

call because of its convenience and to save time. Customers and the general

public almost expect that a company has a web site. Because websites are
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quicker, easier and more cost-effective to update than print based media.

Therefore, pictures, details and prices of products, the very latest company

information, or maps indicating the location of the companies outlets on the

web-site. A website can play an integral part of the companies promotional and

marketing strategy. It also makes a powerful statement about the business.

A web portal is a highly beneficial access point to the web for individual as

well as business users.  The information contained in a web content portal is

categorized into links to topics such as news, business, finance, travel, sports

and more.  The information contained in a content portal is categorized into links

to topics such as news, business, finance, travel, sports and more.  Also initially

used by the general public for purposes such as email, public forums, search

engines, online shopping and more, web portals today provide a multitude of

other functions.

With advances in technology, the usage of web portal software expanded

to include interfaces for corporate databases, applications and many other

business functions.  Termed as a business or enterprise portal, this development

in online portal technology provides clients with user friendly, faster, easier

access to products and services, as well as improved communication and

response times.  Business web portals are becoming increasingly vital to

organizations of all sizes.  Integrating this type of online portal application into

your existing system has the power to significantly improve the productivity of

the organization.
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For example, Yahoo is considered a portal because it offers a search

engine that helps the user to find other websites, as well as topics categories

such as finance, travel, health, etc. that help to find information on the Web

about those topics.

The Web Portal of PC Cartel Computer Sales hosted on a reliable,

commercial web server has the advantage of being available 24 hours. By

providing detailed product information, logically organized and well written

customers are able to access information about new products, latest price lists,

and special promotions. Contact details are easily accessible and the website

provides new business opportunities because people can search product and

service using search feature. And its specializes in converting and updating the

existing printed catalogs into fast and easily, allowing customers and interested

parties to search for products quickly and easily, via the Internet and the

consumers can become educated about the company. The company can

publicize business, service or products to millions of potential customers. Having

a web site can increase the sales. It can update the web site with latest products

or prices much easier and cheaper than print based media. A website can save a

lot of money in communication and administration costs.

The system allows real-time updating of the product catalog quickly and

easily using a web browser and it lessens the expense and effort maintaining and

updating printed catalogs. Thus making the adding of products easier.

Information about the products such as prices, sizes and others as well as
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products pictures can also be added with ease and there is no time limit for

searching. This is because if an Internet connection is present, an individual can

keep browsing until he tire or get the right kind of results.

The Web Portal of PC Cartel Computer Sales has a content management

system (CMS) to manage the content of the webpage and has an inventory

where the administrator can updated with the latest inventory quantities of

product. A CMS is simply a website allowing users to update and edit the web

content using an online portal. A CMS is a document centric system used to

control or manage the content of a website. (http://webopedia.com) It is a

collection of procedures used to manage work flow in a collaborative

environment. CMS are frequently used for storing, controlling, revising, and

publishing documentation. (http://www.wikipedia.com)

With that the customer can get instant access regardless of time and

place as long as they are connected to the Internet.

This research can be applied to benefit both the users and to the

company because the Web Portal of PC Cartel Computer Sales reduces time in

maintaining an up-to-date product catalog, it enables you to take full control to

change the product info, prices, product pictures and many more, and can

control the content about the company. Another advantage of the PC Cartel

Computer Sales in advertising products it is always up to date and is immediately

available. It can be a different catalog every day. When the company has a new
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product, it may be included that same day. Web users can easily view items by

product category or by brand.

Company Profile

Established on April 28, 2003, PC Cartel Computer Sales (PCCCS) with the

able management of Mr. Gilbert Bencino (former Product manager for Innovista

Technologies) started its operation in Dagupan City at the province of

Pangasinan. Entering the mainstream of computer industry, the company at that

time only catered to local dealers until such that they entered the realm of retail

sale. Living to its reputation, the company’s mission is to provide “Tomorrow’s

Technology at Today’s Price” thereby offering computers and other I.T. products

at low prices and offering its clients steadfast customer support.

On its first year, PCCCS has built on its status as a solid and dependable

sales firm. No better can this be seen with its wide range of computer products

and services. After 3 years in business, the company extends its arm at Urdaneta

City to serve more of its clients and nearby cities. Among the elite product line

the company offers are computers (branded desktop, laptop & assembled),

components (processors, motherboards, memory, etc.), storage (HDD, flash

drives, etc.), peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc.), monitors & projectors (all well-

known brands), printers (all well-known brands), networking (all well-known

brands) and accessories.

While computer sales remain its core business, PCCCS has diversified its

services to cater to the needs of costumers:

Sales (Computer and accessories). With the wide variety of products most

of which are ready and on-stock and dynamic sales force which handles the task

to assist clients with their given specification otherwise design one for them.

Customer Services. The company’s goal is to seek perfection providing

quality after-sales services to its clients and also provides on-call round the clock

consultation on varied subjects from hardware and software queries.

Credit and Installment Facility. Aims to aid clients to acquire computers at

affordable and easy installment payment plans thereby reaching the middle/low

consumers and widening marketing reach of the company to the masses.

Technical Support. Our service bureau department which caters to walk-in

and onsite technical services, whether it is from installation of hardware and

networking.

Technical Services. Diagnostic, Troubleshooting, Repair, Complete

Networking & Setup, Security implementation.

Warranty Division. Committed to provide excellent relations with its

clients, the company set up to include this service to accommodate the need to

repair or replace defective parts from within warranty period.

Statement of the Problem

These are the problems stated by the proponents based on conducted

research and interview.

1. What are the current processes of PCCCS in terms of sales and

advertising?

2. What are the problems encountered of PCCCS in terms of sales and

advertising?

3. What are the features to be adopted in the proposed system to address

the problems encountered in the terms of sales and advertising?

Objective of the Study

The general objective of the study is to develop an Web Portal of PC Cartel

Computer Sales. This study aims to fulfill the following objectives for PCCCS:

1. To identify the current processes of PCCCS in terms of sales and

advertising?

2. To determine the problems encountered of PCCCS in terms of sales and

advertising?

3. To identify features to be adopted in the proposed system to address the

problems encountered in the terms of sales and advertising?

Importance of the Study

The Web Portal of PC Cartel Computer Sales is the solution to the

company to lessen the cost of advertisement, can easily view the products and

get information about the company by the costumers.

To the Client. The clients can easily search and get information about the

company and products online.

To the Company. The Web Portal of PC Cartel Computer Sales will lessen

the effort of the company in managing products. The Web Portal of PC cartel

Computer Sales will serve as a means to advertise their products.

To the Researchers. It will help the researchers to improve their

knowledge and skills in programming and developing online application.

To other Researchers. To those who would like to pursue the same study,

this will serve as a reference to the other researchers.

Definition of Terms

This part shows the list of the following technical terms used by the

researchers for this study.

Catalog. A list or itemized display, as of titles, course offerings, or articles

for exhibition or sale, usually including descriptive information or illustrations.

Content Management System (CMS). Is a document centric system used

to manage the content of a website.

Database. An organized body of related information. A collection of

information organized in such a way that a computer program can quickly select

desired pieces of data. You can think of a database as an electronic filing system.
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Internet. The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer

networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions

of users worldwide.

Methodology. Refers to more than a simple set of methods.

Networking. Is the practice of linking two or more computing devices

together for the purpose of sharing data.

Online. Is the condition of being connected to a network of computers or

other devices.

Online system. These programs run with the network, both local or in

internet.

PHP(PHP :Hypertext Preprocessor). Is a high-level Programming language

used to make the proposed system.

Portal. Is a website that functions as an entry point to the Internet, by

providing useful content and linking to various sites and features on the World

Wide Web.

Research. Systematic investigation to establish facts, and to search again.

It is the seeking of information in a scientific and/or systematic manner.

Search Feature. Is a tool designed to search for information on the World

Wide Web.

Security Measures. Taken as precaution against theft or espionage or

sabotage etc.
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System administrator. A person in charge of managing and maintaining a

computer system of telecommunication.

Technology. The practical application of science to commerce or industry.

Troubleshooting. Is a form of problem solving most often applied to repair

of failed products or processes

Web Browser. Is the internet software application for retrieving,

presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web.

Website. Is a collection of related web pages, images, videos or other

digital assets that are addressed relative to a common Uniform Resource Locator

(URL).

Web-based system. Refers to those applications or services that are

resident on a server that is accessible using a Web browser and is therefore

accessible from anywhere in the world via the Web.