Batch Reporting Process and Transactions
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Specialized Hardware
:The batch processing component is installed on a dedicated physical platform which has a network connection to both the head office computer system as well a connection to the pumps. This specialized hardware also houses the software for the interactive login component.
Security and Performance Considerations:
Security is handled exclusively by other components of the system. The batch processing subsystem is connected only to other subsystems of AGS and the head office through a direct (cable) connection. The hardware specially designed for this system insures security and prevents any tampering with the system.
Performance issues break down into two main categories:
Crash-protection: It is essential that this system not crash during its
operation. This is accomplished in large part by carefully designed
hardware. At the software level, the batch-report system is the most
critical portion of the system. If this system breaks down it will be
impossible to preserve a record of activities by the system. Therefore
any critical problem as far as is possible will immediately generate an
emergency call to the head office. Also, a backup of all data is made on
a regular basis to allow the system to be brought back up gracefully if it
should fail.
Functions of the Batch Subsystem: The system requirements addressed by the batch subsystem component are as follows: The following information will be received by the batch processing subsystem from both the head office and other subsystems:
Great idea. We hadn't considered data recovery issues.
Speed: Clearly a customer should not wait for more than a few seconds for his transaction to take place. Once a transaction is processed, the pump sends the data for the transaction to the batch processing system where it is integrated into the system with the existing data. This process is virtually instantaneous. Even if a large number of gas stations send transaction data at the same time, the system should not take more than a few seconds to respond.Inputs:
Transaction data from each of the pumps associated with the system.
Requests for reports from interactive login subsystem.
Request for report-generation scheduling changes from interactive login subsystem.
The following information is reported on by the batch processing subsystem.
Batch output of reports to central office system.
Output of reports to interactive login subsystem (per request).
Reports and Actions:
The batch reports sent to the head office will contain the following information for each transaction processed by the gas station:
Transaction report and Backup of Data:
Time period covered by report: From dd/mm/yyyy at hour/minute To dd/mm/yyyy at hour/minute
ID of Pump from which gas was pumped
Type of gas (obtained from list)
Quantity of gas (in litres)
Price/litre charged for transaction
Tax percentage charged per transaction
Total tax amount charged for the transaction
Date and time of purchase dd/mm/yyyy at hour/minute
Customer's first and last name
Credit card type and account number
We also need the transaction total.
Delivery Report:
This report will contain information about the deliveries of gas made to the station.
Date and time of delivery
ID/Name of delivery person
Type of gas delivered
ID of tank gas was delivered to
Number of litres in tank before delivery
Number of litres added to tank
Number of litres in tank after delivery
Current Operation Statistics Report:
This report covers the state of the gas station at the time the report is generated.
Current prices for each type of gas
Current tax rate
Quantity of gas currently in each tank
Credit Card Status Report:
Status: lost/stolen
Action taken: -- card kept/card returned -- credit card company system informed**
Name of Customer
Credit card number
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Supplier Group 11 |
Last Updated on 1/20/97
By Carey Dean Bingham
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