The University Lab: Conceptual Design

1
Chapter 7

• The University Lab Conceptual Design
• Database Systems Design, Implementation, and
  Management, Fifth Edition, Rob and Coronel

2
In this chapter, you will learn

• How to develop a database initial study
• How to write a description of operations
• How to write business rules on which the database
  design is based
• How to translate the business rules into ERD
  segments
• How to put the ERD segments together to create
  the initial ERD

3
Database Initial Study

• Detailed description of organizations current
  and proposed superscript database system
  environments
• Organizational
• Objectives
• Structure
• Operations
• Problems
• System
• Objectives
• Scope and boundaries
• Information sources and users
• End-user requirements

4
UCL Database Initial Study

• Users
• Assistant Dean, College of Business
• Computer Lab Director
• Computer Lab Assistants
• Computer Lab Secretary
• Computer Lab Graduate Assistants
• Objectives
• Provide users with controlled access to UCL
  assets
• Guide users working with assets and provide
  problem-solving services

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UCLs Organizational Structure
Figure 7.1
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UCL Description of Operations

• Inventory, storage, order management
• Classifications hardware, software, literature,
  supplies
• Serialized vs. nonserialized items

Table 7.2
7
UCL Description of Operations (cont.)

• Equipment maintenance and repair management
• Information kept in Bad Equipment Log and
  Hardware
• Returned for Service Log
• Equipment check-out and check-in management
• Form completed when equipment checked out
• Notice sent for late equipment
• Lab assistant payroll management
• Time sheets used to track assistants
• Hourly basis for a fourteen day period
• Lab reservation management
• Faculty member completes reservation form with
  date, time,
• department, and course number
• Computer lab access management
• Lab users sign users log and leave University ID
  card

8
Common Problems and Constraints in Current System

• Never up to date and error-ridden
• Too much data duplication and inconsistency
• Does not generate useful information
• Does not allow ad hoc queries
• CLD spends too much time processing data manually
• Lack of computerization makes inventory
  management difficult

9
Specific Problems

• Inventory/Storage/Order Management
• No access to crucial inventory management data
  for CLD
• UCL needs available stock figures average use
  of supplies
• CLD does not know item location
• Equipment maintenance and repair management
• CLD cannot generate history for equipment
• CLD determine the status of items subject to
  maintenance procedures

10
Specific Problems (cont.)

• Equipment check-out/check-in management
• CLD lacks information about lab assets
• Lab assistant payroll management
• CLD spends too much time summarizing hours worked
  LAs
• CLD cannot estimate work loads
• Lab reservations management
• Manual reservation system inadequate
• No statistical information for scheduling lab
  reservations
• Computer lab access management
• User log not properly maintained
• Certain items not returned
• Security problems

11
Constraints for UCL

• Time Frame
• Operational within 3 months
• Hardware and Software
• Use existing UCL hardware and software
• Distributed Aspects and Expandability
• Operate in multiuser environment
• Independent of existing administrative systems
• Cost
• Development costs must be minimal
• Use no more than two additional terminals
• Operate without additional personnel
• 9,500 is available

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Objectives for UCL

• General System Objectives
• Improve operational efficiency
• Provide useful information for planning,
• control, and security
• Specific Objectives
• Inventory/Storage/Order Management
• Better purchase order control
• Monitor supply item stock
• Control inventory by type and item
• Quick information about item location
• Timely information about use of supplies and
  generate stats to aid in future purchases

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Specific Objectives for UCL (cont.)

• Equipment maintenance and repair management
• Monitor maintenance histories
• Track items returned to vendor
• Equipment check-out/check-in management
• Tracks items checked out
• Monitor item check-out time
• Generate usage statistics
• Lab assistant payroll management
• Scheduling and work loads
• Work summaries

14
Specific Objectives for UCL (cont.)

• Lab reservations management
• Decrease reservation processing time
• Produce reservation schedules
• Generate statistical summaries
• Computer lab access management
• Control users and lab resources
• Reduce sign-in time
• Provide peak use information for scheduling

15
Scope and Boundaries

• What will be systems extent?
• UCL portion of organizational chart
• Independent of other systems
• What operational areas are covered by system?
• Limited to six areas addressed earlier
• What design/ implementation strategy to use?
• Organization into system modules
• What modules should be included in system?
• Lab management
• Inventory management
• How do modules interface?
• Through CHECK_OUT module

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Modules and Interfaces
Figure 7.2
Table 7.4
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Conceptual Design Phase

• Confirmation of good data sources

From Table 7.5
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Conceptual Design General Systems Requirements

• Easy to use
• Provide security measures
• Fully integrated
• Able to access system concurrently
• Perform various functions
• Personnel, inventory, order, maintenance,
  reservation, Check_out, and access
• Input driven by output

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Conceptual Design Phase User Needs
Table 7.6
Figure 7.3
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Conceptual Design Phase Initial Entities
Table 7.8
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Business Rule 1
Figure 7.4
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Business Rule 2
Figure 7.5
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Business Rule 3
Figure 7.6
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Business Rule 4
Figure 7.7
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Business Rule 5
Figure 7.8
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Business Rule 6
Figure 7.9
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Business Rule 7
Figure 7.10
28
Business Rule 8
Figure 7.11
29
Business Rule 9
Figure 7.12
30
Business Rule 10
Figure 7.13
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Business Rule 11
Figure 7.14
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Business Rule 12
Figure 7.15
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Business Rule 13
Figure 7.16
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Business Rule 14
Figure 7.17
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Business Rule 15
Figure 7.18
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UCL Entities Considering Business Rules
Table 7.10
37
Initial ERD for UCL
Figure 7.19