HS2011 : Systems Analysis and Design - Acme Garage - Case Study

Acme Garage—Case Study :

The Acme Garage specialises in repairing cars. Before they fix a car they always check to see that the customer has paid for work done previously. Customer details are kept in a Customer file and details of each job are kept in a Job file. Kim works in the office and maintains (Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete) the Customer database. The mechanics (Bill and Ben) write the entries into the Job book. During the process of fixing a car parts may be required. Acme need to keep a stock of frequently used parts (eg spark plugs, oil filters, air filters) these parts are purchased regularly from suppliers and Acme is then invoiced. Less frequently used parts are ordered as required. Once they have a good supplier they tend to stick with them so they only ever have one supplier for each part. Reference to the Stock file will indicate if parts required for a particular job are in stock otherwise the parts will have to be ordered in. In the case where items are removed from stock the balance of stock needs to be reduced. The Stock file takes the form of an Excel spreadsheet and is also maintained by Kim. In the case where stock is ordered the details of the order are recorded in the Order file (in a filing cabinet), the cost of the parts is added from the invoice that is received when the parts are delivered. After the job is completed the hours of labour are recorded in the Job file and the Stock file and the Order file will be used to determine the price of the parts used which will also be recorded in the Job file. The contents of the Job record are then used to produce an invoice that goes to the customer. Customers are required to pay in full in 30 days; if payment is not made a letter of demand is sent and a 10% penalty is applied to the account.