Project Proposal



**Techlab Brief from last year**



Title: Retail Store Item Tracking and Ordering System

Objective: This program would be useful for retail stores by helping stores track and order supplies/items. A store would be sent a list of items in the latest shipment. The store would then be presented with an easy way of both checking for discrepancies and reporting them back to the distribution center. The store could also order items from the distribution center. The store would also have the option of tracking its shipments, to better get an idea of when new items/supplies would arriving.

Justification: Currently I am working at a retail store, Laura Ashley. On the job, it is very hard to check shipments in because it has to be done by hand with a paper list. It also takes forever to report discrepancies (which have to go through the manager, through the area manager, and eventually to the distribution center.) It is also a very tedious job to put in an order for supplies as items have to be matched to a specific SKU number, then written down by hand, and finally faxed into the distribution center. It is impossible for us to track our shipments, which gives us a disadvantage with our customers because we are unable to tell them when items are arriving and what is going to arrive. This presents us with a problem that can inhibit sales and inhibit the growth of our store.

Description: A web-based program will be ideal, so information could be accessed from anywhere, and the program should be user-friendly. There will be at least two accounts (with passwords for security), one for the distribution center and one for each store (one for starters). The two types of accounts will have different menus, because they have different needs. Information will have to be shared between accounts. When shipment lists or orders are sent in, the respective receiving account will be sent a notice.

Limitations: I will have to learn a web-based programming language; however this will be a hands-on opportunity for me to learn another computer language. Also, there could be some complications with all the parts of the program (tying them all together) and in the sharing of information between accounts.


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