Transcript ISU Alumni Association Online Store

ISU Alumni Association Online Store
May05-39
Client:
ISU Alumni Association
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Srinivas Aluru, CprE
Team Members:
Keith Dahlby
Jordan Jump
Andrew Kirpalani
Jon Ruhnke
Presentation Outline
 Introductory Material
Jon Ruhnke
 Project Activity Description
Keith Dahlby
 Screenshots, Resources and
Schedules
Jordan Jump
 Closure Material
Andrew Kirpalani
Introductory Material
Jon Ruhnke
Important Definitions
.NET Framework
Provides a common set of tools for developers on the
Windows platform.
ASP
Active Server Pages - a Microsoft technology that allows
web pages to be dynamically generated.
ASP.NET
Newest version of ASP, with many significant improvements
over “classic” ASP.
C#
Microsoft-created, object-oriented programming language
similar to Java, with many features designed specifically for
the .NET Framework.
MSDE
Microsoft Desktop Engine – Freely redistributable version of
Microsoft SQL Server that integrates well with Windows and
the .NET Framework.
CSS
Cascading Style Sheets - a simple format for attaching style
information to HTML and XML documents.
SVN
Subversion - a version control system for controlling access
to a software project and it’s files.
Acknowledgements

Dr. Srinivas Aluru, for his support and guidance as the
project advisor.

Kate Bruns and the staff at the ISU Alumni Association, for
guidance as well as origination of the project.
Problem Statement
General Problem Statement
• ISUAA Online Store exists to promote the university and its
alumni
• Current implementation is vastly outdated and inefficient
• Complete redesign of the storefront and new implementation
of administrative tools is needed
General Solution Approach
• New store and tool suite to be implemented by building upon
existing C#, ASP, and .NET knowledge.
• Careful focus on efficient database design and centralized
control of administration
Operating Environment
• Served from existing Alumni Association server
– Windows 2000
– .NET framework
– MSDE database system
• Public and Administrative access from any modern web
browser on the internet
– Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc.
Intended Users and Uses
Intended Users
• Online Store Customers
• Alumni Association Staff
Intended Uses
• Customers
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–
–
–
Browse catalog
Purchase products
Manage shopping cart
Complete orders
• Administrators
– Add, remove, and update products
– Process orders
– View reports
Assumptions
Technical Assumptions
•
•
•
•
User is using a modern web browser
User has access to a sufficient Internet connection
Client server has sufficient system resources
Client server has ASP.NET 1.1 (or later) installed
Non-Technical Assumptions
• Users have previous experience with online stores
• Alumni Association staff have sufficient experience and
ability to operate web-based administrative tools
Limitations
• Access to a dedicated database server
– Wanted to use server maintained by the ISU Foundation
– Technical difficulties prevented use of the server
• System resources available on client’s server
• Team members’ proficiency with ASP.NET
End Product and Deliverables
• Online store capable of:
– Presenting merchandise
– Accepting orders
– Maintaining security
• New database that eliminates duplication of work
• Comprehensive suite of administrative tools to allow:
– Managing product catalog
– Easily processing customer orders
– Gathering store data
Project Activity Description
Keith Dahlby
Present Accomplishments
• Online store with ability to:
– Browse product catalog
– Add items to a shopping cart
• Administrative interface to:
– Add categories to the catalog
– Add products to the catalog
Approaches Considered
• Programming Language: C#
– Official language supported by ASP.NET
– Many built in classes and functions
• Database: MSDE
– Integrates well with the operating system
– Many windows tools available
– Seamlessly integrates with ADO.NET
• Database: MySQL (not used)
– Robust, free, and widely supported
– Doesn’t integrate as seamlessly
• Platform: Windows 2000
– Windows best supports ASP.NET
– Existing server operating system, yet we suggest upgrading to
Windows 2003 when possible
• Most of these approaches were design constraints from client
Project Definition Activities
• Requirements and technical considerations initially
well-defined by client
• Detailed design questions resolved during project
design, in consultation with client
Research Activities
• Database system
– Decision between MSDE and MySQL
– Considerations:
• Integration with Windows 2000 Server and ADO.NET
• Interface for database design and configuration
• Future upgrade path
• ASP.NET
– .NET Framework v2.0
– Performance questions:
• Caching
• Efficient access to database
Design Activities
Design Constraints
• Primary audience using modern web browser with
sufficient bandwidth
–
–
–
–
Internet Explorer 5.0 or later
Netscape 6.0 or later
Safari
Mozilla Firefox
• Users with non-traditional or legacy web browsers require a
functional user experience
• Web applications present inherent limitations on user
experience
• System resources available on existing client server
• Limited to Windows 2000 Server running IIS and ASP.NET
Design Activities (cont.)
Design Overview
Presentation Tier
(ASP.NET WebForms)
Business Logic Tier
(Business Components)
Data Access Tier
(Data Access Components)
Database
Design Activities (cont.)
Database Schema
pictures
PK
item_categorization
ID
PK,FK1
PK,FK2
categories
category_ID
item_ID
PK
ID
FK1
name
description
featured_ID
data
item_ID
FK1
statuscode
PK
ID
addresses
message
can_order
items
item_options
PK,FK2
PK,FK1
item_ID
option_ID
PK
ID
FK1
vendor_ID
description
price_nonmember
price_member
price_atcost
statuscode_ID
ship_cost_unit
ship_cost_base
pref_picture_ID
FK2
options
PK
FK1
FK2
ID
FK1
order_details
order_details_ID
option_ID
PK
ID
FK1
order_ID
date_processed
quantity
item_ID
choice
FK2
contacts
PK
ID
name
alumni_number
contact_ID
ismember
orders
PK
ID
FK2
FK1
FK3
customer_ID
address_ID_shipping
address_ID_billing
date_ordered
cc_ID
FK4
ID
email
phone_home
phone_work
phone_mobile
fax
customers
PK
string_XML
lineitem_options
ID
address_1
address_2
city
state
zipcode
name
contact_name
address_ID
contact_ID
website_address
ID
PK
PK,FK2
PK
vendors
PK
credit_cards
PK
ID
FK1
number
date_expiration
cc_company_ID
credit_card_companies
PK
ID
name
Design Activities (cont.)
Primary Use Case
Implementation Activities
• Item Options
– Problem:
• Custom fields for certain items
• Future items with unknown options
• Parameter choices affect price
– Changes:
• Options stored as serialized objects in database
• Organized items in the cart by item
- Simplifies management of item options
- Simplifies administrative metrics
• Objects
– Problem:
• Re-conceptualized object oriented structure needed to better
fit presentation requirements
– Changes:
• Cart Object
• Picture Object
• CreditCard Object
Testing Activities
• Testing performed throughout development
– Test pages while creating new objects
– High-level custom web controls’ boundary conditions tested with
sample pages
– Database tested with concurrent development of administrative
interface pages
• Client testing and feedback
– Individual components released to staff members
• Problems exposed by non-dev users
• Feedback acquired
• Future testing
– Release private version of store to entire ISUAA staff
• Comprehensive testing/feedback on a larger scale
Other Significant Activities
•
Alumni member login integration
– Lack of proprietary ASP.NET module to retrieve user information
– Unable to test member functionality
•
Site redesign
– No styling information provided to group
– Unable to match appearance with other Alumni services
•
Upcoming releases (could enhance implementation)
– SQL Server Express 2005
– Visual Studio 2005
– ASP.NET 2.0
Screenshots, Resources, and Schedules
Jordan Jump
Screenshots
•
Original Front Page
Screenshots (cont.)
•
Original Item Description Page
Screenshots (cont.)
•
Original Shopping Cart Page
Personal Effort Requirements
Name
Hours
Keith Dahlby
200.5
Jordan Jump
171
Andrew Kirpalani
166
Jon Ruhnke
123.5
Total
661
Other Resource Requirements
Item
Cost
Project Poster
$75.02
Printing & Copying
$10.00
Binding
$17.49
Total
$102.51
Financial Requirements
Item
W/O Labor
W/ Labor
Project Poster
$75.02
$75.02
Printing & Copying
$10.00
$10.00
Binding
$17.49
$17.49
$102.51
$102.51
Materials:
Subtotal
Labor at $10.00 per hour
Keith Dahlby
$2005.00
Jordan Jump
$1710.00
Andrew Kirpalani
$1660.00
Jon Ruhnke
$1235.00
$6610.00
Subtotal
Total
$102.51
$6712.51
Schedule
• Fall 2004: Project Schedule
Schedule
• Fall 2004: Revised Project Schedule
Schedule (cont.)
• Fall 2004: Project Deliverables
Schedule (cont.)
• Spring 2005: Project Schedule
Schedule (cont.)
• Spring 2005: Revised Project Schedule
Schedule (cont.)
• Spring 2005: Project Deliverables
Project Evaluation
Project Definition
Fully Met
Technology Considerations and Selection
Exceeded
End-product Design
Fully Met
End-product Implementation
Partially Met
End-product Testing
Partially Met
End-product Documentation
Not Attempted
Project Reporting/Deliverables
Fully Met
Closing Material
Andrew Kirpalani
Commercialization
• Commercialization for this product is not considered, as it is
a specific customized upgrade to an existing system
Additional Recommendations
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Multiple product images
Extended category structuring
Frequent use of stored procedures
Database backup/recreation script
Windows Server 2003 upgrade
Integration of administrative functionality with
administration of other Alumni web applications
Lessons Learned
What went well?
• Meetings with Alumni Association staff
• Good brainstorming, solid design
• Good scan of technology options, proved useful when
original database was found to be inadequate
What did not go well?
• Slow development early on
• Duplication of work due to changes in system
Lessons Learned (cont.)
What technical knowledge was gained?
• New development skills with C# and ASP.NET
• Web-based development experience
What non-technical knowledge was gained?
• Small team development interactions
• Long-term project planning
What would be done differently?
• More discipline and vigilance in adhering to schedule
Risk and Risk Management
Anticipated potential risks
• Loss or corruption of code
– SVN
• Breakdown of communication
– Recurring scheduled meetings and direct contact info
Anticipated risks encountered
• Second semester communication and missed meetings
– Email meeting info, and other avenues of communication
Unanticipated risks encountered
• Restricted access to ISU network from off-campus
– VPN software set up
Resultant changes due to unanticipated risks
• Use of VPN software, moving to campus location otherwise
Closing Summary
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Re-designed Iowa State Alumni Association Online Store
Raises money and promotes ISU
Attractive and functional storefront
Streamlined administrative back-end
New efficient database
Questions?