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=**CH 6**= =**2012 ITGS Case Study**=

=What are the overall concepts covered in the 2012 Case Study?= First of all we need to identify the concepts which are being touched in the case study. Are there anymore? FlashCards: []
 * Networking
 * Databases: centralised vs distributed
 * Some part of SDLC.
 * Web designing
 * Commercial vs free software
 * Custom / bespoke vs off the shelf software
 * Self hosted vs third party web hosting
 * Self hosted vs third party ticket system / payment management

Links to other ITGS Case Study Wikis:
http://ib2012-itgs.wikispaces.com/Case+Study+2012 http://casestudy-itgs-2012.wikispaces.com/

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=Information we need to gather before the Exam:=
 * 1) Explain the features of a flat file database. All files can be stored in none place, they are easy to set up and understand, simple to sort, records can be viewed or extracted. It is used to print mailing labels for those members who have the "Retroscena" newsletter posted to them, and for tickets and membership cards.
 * 2) Detail the steps involved in creating a mailmerge for the Cocur Theatre Company. What are the advantages of mailmerge. Create a database with fields that can be used to create individualized letters and labels. Use the mailmerge feature under the Tools Menu in MS Word.
 * 3) Explain using the Case study how cash sales are recorded and what are the problems with this system. Cash and credit/debit transactions are kept separately. This makes it difficult to make decisions based on sales because cash sales are absent.
 * 4) Describe how the annual ticket analysis report will be generated and the purpose of this report. Accountants check all of the purchased tickets and makes sure that the deposited purchases matches the tickets deposits. Bank account and cash sales are deposited separately while cerdit card tranactions are made automatically. An analysis report is compiled at the end of each year on the ticket sales profits which is produced. Detailed financial analysis of types of tickets, as well as member and cash sales are not available.
 * 5) Explain two issues that arise due to the use of a USB in transferring sales and customer data. When transferring information about sales and customers data two issues that could occur are that the USB could get lost, broken, or the files don't transfer properly. Also there sureness issue of security if someone were to get ahold of your information they could steal your information causing identity theft.
 * 6) List three features that could be present on the new customer website with reference to the customer relations website at MTG. By using a social networking system, the MTG theatre could reach its customers more easily and efficiently, by all the customers receiving information at the same time, and insuring everyone got the news. Also, it could provide up-to-date information on specials, coupons, sales, showing dates, tickets remaining, ect.
 * 7) Explain two improvements to the current reports generated by MTG.
 * 8) State two hardware recommendations for MTG. A distributed database system or a centralized database system, in association with a Virtual Private Network
 * 9) Discuss how social networking can be used to build strong customer relationships for MTG theatre company.
 * 10) Explain features of a good CMS Allow for a large number of people to share and contribute to stored data. Control access to data based on user role.
 * 11) Explain features of a good CRM: A customer relationship management center is a software system for organizing and tracking information on customers. A good CRM would contain tables filled with data on customers like mailing addresses and phone numbers with thier names to track products being shipped across the country or the purchasing of products. Thecustomized reports need to be easily generated and exported in a variety of formats.
 * 12) Outline the advantages of analyzing data with particular emphasis on sales data. When analyzing data with a particular emphasis on sales data it is important to make sure that all of the calculations are perfect because if there is an error in the way your data is calculated it could cause you to lose a lot of money or you could find money that you didn't know you had.
 * 13) Explain the working of an online ticketing system.
 * 14) What is a plug in software. State an example. Discuss the role of plug in softwares for smartphones and tablets using Java and PHP as an example.
 * 15) How will a website allow personal delivery, courier options? A website allows you to keep your own books, accept emails from clients, and allows you to create more business. The website gives you access to these where ever you have Internet access.
 * 16) Define distributed database and centralized databases. A distributed database is just like it sounds, it is a database that is spread across different areas and separate storage facilities. A centralized database is a collection of information that is all stored on one computer, or mainframe system, and is located in a single location.
 * 17) What is a VPN and what are the advantages of using a VPN VPN is a private virtual network. VPN’s allow for better security in a business, such as the one described in the case study.
 * 18) State the differences between generalized and customized software using the booking system as an example. There are a couple differences between generalized software and cutomized software. Generalized software is used for anything that you can think of. A person basically fills in all of the information into and Microsoft Office program and the final product is produced. In customized software, the product is used for only one specific purpose. Generalized software is ment for anyone to use. An example of customized software is the computer files on students in the lunch room. These computer files are customized to the student's account only and can be changed accordingly. Customized software is only based on a single person or group.
 * 19) How does a web enable booking system work? A web enabled booking system otherwise known as IBE is the way that airline and traveling companies keep track of peoples information. For example if you use Travelocity for a trip to California when you sign up you are using a web enabled booking system.
 * 20) Describe two advantages of a stand alone network.
 * 21) Discuss three improvements to the current M ticket website for MTG.
 * 22) Describe two security methods that must be implemented to protect credit card and customer information on the MTG database. Two security methods that must be implemented to protect credit card information is all data most be encrypted, and the site must be password protected.
 * 23) Discuss how existing database software can be used to generate reports in text/graph format. Database software has all the data you need to pull and make a graph. All a report does is pull information from a table inside of a database.

Consider Command Terms when composing your response to the questions above. [|IB Command Terms]
Question assignments: Brett: 1, 8, 15; Kyle: 2, 9. 16; Ryan: 3, 10, 17; Casey: 4, 11, 18; Matt: 5, 12, 19; Jacob 6, 13, 20; Lexi: 7, 14, 21; Shea: 22, 23.

6 Point Question:
With reference to the two theatre companies in the case study (CT and MTG) and to booking systems that you have studied, explain how data migration issues from may affect the development of a single unified ticketing system for purchasing tickets and seat selection."

12 Point Question:
"To what extent do the benefits of a distributed database system outweigh the benefits of a centralised database system in association with a VPN? Your response should examine the rigorous requirements of a database system (lines 156-160) and should also take into consideration the needs and current status of the two theatre companies CT and MTG; include real-time reservation software, booking systems, web publication, accounting and administration.