Systems Analysis
The CSO Inventory System, although stand-alone in fashion, does
depend on certain hardware requirements which need to be met.
Our systems analysis team has performed extensive research into
exactly what hardware would be best suited for the various tasks
which will be performed from day to day in the supermarket
environment.
Upon the last few weeks, we have discovered many things about
the needs of your company. One of these things happens to be the
fact that many of the employees of your company do not spend
the majority of their time in one certain place, and need some sort
of system which will allow them to be both mobile, yet maintain
contact with the inventory system at their specific levels of
clearance, at all times. For instance, stockers, for one, are
always in motion, moving from the back of the store, to the
front to get stock, and eventually replenishing the shelves.
What the stock people, in particular, need are portable scanners,
which would enable them to scan the merchandise, put it on the
shelves, update orders, and download the information into the
system for processing. This system is still in the development
stages, and that particular piece of hardware is currently
outside the system boundaries, however, plans are in effect
to soon integrate this new hardware into the current system, and
this should not pose a problem to future implementations.
With portable scanning technology, stock people will be able to
make corrections, additions, and deletions as necessary from the
stock at any time, and from any place. All functions will of course
be tied into the central database of inventory, and modifications
will take effect immediately.
The cashier system, as it stands now, can be implemented in any
number of ways, and ultimately, the choice is yours. What we
recommend, however, is the utilization of a system now currently
in effect at many supermarkets, with some minor modifications now
in the works. The system is such that it allows the cashier to work,
hands free of the terminal, without the hindrances of a mouse or
other device. A screen is present, which shows all of the transactions,
purchases, items, prices, etc. (refer to screenshot). Both hands of
the cashier can be used to move groceries, and the customer has
full view of the same screen which the cashier uses. Of course,
the POS scanning system is tied into the main database of
inventory, and all sales are updated automatically. If the cashier wishes,
he or she can take control of the system window in order to do
any functions necessary.
At the back of the store, where the stock comes in, there will be
access terminals set up for all employees to use. More than
likely, the stock people and the managers will be using them the
most, as many of the daily transactions of inventory orders and
adjustments occur here. The terminals will of course, be set
up so that at any given point in time, when an employee is not
using the terminal, it sits quietly in a modeless state. Any employee
who wishes to use one, must log on, and the screen takes the
effective mode of the employee position and security level clearance.
For instance, a stocker, who wishes to update stock, would
simply log on, his specific window would come up, and all
interactions could then proceed. Terminals, of course, will be flat-
screen technology, and the computers themselves, out of the way,
so that only the keyboard and flat screen are present against one
of the walls.
Managers, of course, will each have a terminal of their own, located
more than likely in each department or office. Managers will have
access to barcode scanners and laser printers with which to print
off invoices, inventory lists, and other such records.
All hardware systems used are distinct from the implementation
of the software, and can be interchanged as needed, without
loss to system function.
In addition, to the above mentioned systems, we have in mind
several additional tools which may be of assistance in augmenting
the CSO Inventory system. As new needs arise, our system will
allow the integration of new types of hardware which will all be
compatible with current software. Our design allows the seamless
integration with many of the newest technologies coming available
in the near future, and 10th Level Solutions will be able to keep your
supermarket at peak performance and running smoothly.