A Billiards Point of Sale Application Christopher Ulmer CS 470 Final Presentation

System Overview Goal –Develop a system that will manage the operation of a billiard hall in an efficient manner –Keep a database of all transactions for book-keeping purposes –Client is Run-A-Rack Billiards Why –The current system is slow –You can only have one module open at a time in the current system

Why does a pool hall need a computer? Pool tables are not coin operated –The customer rents the table A computer helps keep track of the status of each table Not just pool –food, merchandise, bar, etc. A computer helps track inventory Book-keeping –A computer can keep exact records of each transaction, daily sales, etc.

Background I was employed at Run-A-Rack/Hot Shots Billiards in Anchorage from June 1998-July 2002 –I’m very familiar with the current system used I have based all decisions for this project on my experience as an employee of a pool hall and a customer of various other pool halls

Why I chose this project... Current system is outdated Lack of support for the current system Systems like the one at Run-A-Rack Billiards cost several hundred dollars Customize

The new software is customized to fit the needs of Run-A-Rack Billiards –The current software has many features that are not needed –Stubs were left in the code so additional features may be added Barcode scanner Cash drawer Lights

Specifications Setup Employee management Member management Inventory management Transaction Table-Time keeping –Ability to “pause” players

Additional Specifications Ability to use keyboard only Easy to back-up

Database A Microsoft Access database was used to store all information –Pool tables –Members –Employees –Inventory –Transactions

Development Language Visual Basic 6.0 –The data control was used to connect with Microsoft Access –Small tables Accessing records from the tables does not take very long (tables are indexed on appropriate fields to allow fast searches) –Ability to create user-friendly interfaces –Time constraints There was a limited amount of time to finish the project –VB is user-friendly from a programming point of view and provided the tools necessary to finish the project

Development Strategy Populate the database with test data Use prototyping to develop and refine each module –Each module is dependent on the database but are independent of each other

System Requirements Windows 98 or higher 256 Mb of memory 266 MHz or higher 1024 by 768 pixel resolution

System Design Load most commonly used forms at execution time Store all information in a single database Load some table data into arrays –This makes the application run faster –Less time accessing tables

Planning Estimated 130 hours total: Requirements:6.5 hoursDesign: 13 hours Implementation:39 hoursTesting: 45.5 hours Write-up:13 hoursPresentation: 13 hours

Time-Keeping Form

Setup

Employee Management Form

Inventory Management Form Simple inventory management form.

Security

Conclusion Produced a system that will manage the operation of a billiard hall in an efficient manner Challenges –Put as many features into the software as I could in a limited amount of time –Get my software to work efficiently with the database Solution –Use prototyping to get an idea of how long each module will take –Use Visual Basic’s data control to access tables and queries

Questions???

Mock-up of Transaction Form

Table Relationship

Setup Allows user to set pool table pricing and location on the Table-Time keeping form –Limit 99 pool tables This is so the table can be addressed with a two digit number –Limit 9 players per table This is so the number of players can be entered by typing one number

Employee Management Form This is where employee information is held –Personal information –Security information Employee’s access level Employees may be added Employees may be deleted Employee’s information may be changed at any time by an employee with appropriate authority

Inventory Management Form Add new items to inventory Edit information about each item –Code, description, sale price, etc. Adjust inventory –Add or remove a given amount of an item from inventory. This can only be opened by an employee with appropriate authority

Transaction Form This is where purchases are made A transaction may consist of many items as well as the table cost for players on a given pool table All transactions will be stored in the database

Table-Time Keeping Form The Main form –This is displayed most of the time Shows table layout –Each table image shows the table’s number as well as how many players are currently being charged Contains commands for opening all other forms