The background of the study free essay sample

Background of the Study The New Tulana Waterworks Association started as an organization of the residence and councilors of Brgy. Tugtug in the Municipality of San Jose Batangas. At that time, water was expensive and the distributing system of it was very hard. But its founder, Mr. Ernesto Patron, came up with the idea of having an association that will help in organizing the water distributing system as well as its cleanliness. Every waterworks association’s mission is to render a safe, clean and satisfying service to its clients by improving facilities and equipment and adopting system for convenience and efficiency. Additionally, the association gives emphasis on the utilization of available resources like manpower, machine, money and methods that will provide them greater output. New Tulana Waterworks Association offers safe and clean water for the residents of the barangay. As technology evolves, such system must be involved in this evolution. The manual process of paying bills and fees in the association is one area where the evolution and changes are greatly needed. We will write a custom essay sample on The background of the study or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, when it comes to managing and monitoring bills and payment records being held by Mr. Ernesto Patron, manual processes are still being used. They are still using manual system; pen and paper for transactions and steel cabinets for keeping clients payment records. The need for a system to computerize certain manual activities such as water billing system is reflected by the growing popularity of the barangay to its incoming clients and eventually by increasing number of customers who need much of their services. The researchers believe that the best answer to this is to improve a billing system so that it can reduce paper clutter and help save time and effort when it comes to handling a billing and payment record. Company’s Current Situation Currently, New Tulana Waterworks Association does not have a proper electronic and automated system to monitor the billing and payment records of their customers. They still use the paper-based manual system to record and monitor the billing history of a customer. Statement of the Problem The study was designed primarily to develop a computerized water billing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association to replace the existing manual system. Specifically, it sought answers to the following questions: 1. Can the new system help in improving and reorganizing the billing and payment records of New Tulana Waterworks Association? 2. Can the new computerized water billing system provide security for the payment records of the customer? 3. Can the new system ensure its accuracy and efficiency in computerized water billing system? Purpose of the Study This study aims to develop a computerized water billing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association. It will help the association easily provide complete information of the customer, maintain and monitor the payment records, prevent deterioration and loss of billing records such as payment records manual. It aims to reduce human errors and eliminate chances of misplacing records. The system will provide a user-friendly and easy process of storing and editing customers’ billing information then enlisting them according to their number issued by the association. It could give an efficient and stress-free service to the user. If the results proved to be significant, association authorities and the proponents will have a good reason for using this system and having it implemented at the said association. Through this system, the staff will have a better view of billing records of the customer. The system will help ensure the orderliness of payment records in New Tulana Waterworks Association. Due to a large number of possible customers for every end of the month, it is a great deal for the staff of the said system in ensuring that all the data that will be gathered are systematically documented. One of the most important features of the system is that it is designed with auto-generated receipt system and security with passwords that will ensure data security when storing and editing customers’ files. Only the staff has the direct access to the files. Objectives of the Study The main objective of the study is to design and develop an Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas that would serve as proposal to provide New Tulana Waterworks Association easier, faster, secured and more organized information list for customers billing records. Specific Objectives Specifically, the study aims the following: 1. To identify the manual system. 2. To develop a system that will: 3. 1 provide fast and reliable access of information; 3. 2 provide a user – friendly environment; and 3. Update the manual report 4. To prove that the proposed system is technically, operationally and economically feasible. Hypothesis of the Study By clearly defining the objectives of the study and through analytical thinking, the designers came up with the following: Ho: There is a significant difference between the proposed and the existing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association water billing system inaccuracy and reliability, security and functionality of the system and consistent billing record monitoring. Ha: There is no significant difference between the proposed and the existing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association water billing system inaccuracy and reliability, security and functionality of the system and consistent billing record monitoring. Scope and Delimitation and Limitations of the Study The scope of this study covered the system that dealt mainly with computerized water billing system. The study was intended exclusively for New Tulana Waterworks Association. The system updated the billing system of the customer wherein one can add, edit, clear and save billing information. An authorized person can only access the system. Specifically, only the staff can access the system to spread the spread of information of the customers. The system help lessen the burden of manipulating and generating reports manually. It can help to produce a maintainable and manageable system. On the other hand, the study was limited only to software development of New Tulana Waterworks Association water billing system. The system include the printing of records. Definition of Terms This section presents operational and conceptual definition of unfamiliar technical terms use in the study. Computerize. To enter, process, or store (information) in a computer or system of computers. In this study, this means to switch from manual operation to computers. Database. It is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated. A collection of related data that support shared access by multiple users and application. Management. Management is the organization and coordination of the activities of a business in order to achieve defined objectives. It is an organized approach to the study of the information needs of an organizations management at every level in making operational, tactical, and strategic decision. System. A set of detailed methods, procedures and routines created to carry out a specific activity, perform a duty, or solve a problem. It is a group of interdependent items that interact regularly to perform a task. Visual Basic. A window-based programming language used in making the system. It is designed to make software development easy and efficient, while still being powerful enough to create advanced programs. CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES This chapter presents related studies and literature that were gathered through the intensive research of the designers. The related studies and literature were also used as the foundation of the proposed system and as a standard for the software product to better attain its desired quality and efficiency. Related Literature As stated in billing dictionary, a billing system is a combination of software and hardware that receives call detail and service usage information, groups this information for specific accounts or customers, produces invoices, creates reports for management, and records payments made to customer accounts. CUSI Utility Billing Solutions as one of the trusted in the utility billing services industry said that one of the most critical tools for a successful utility company is having an efficient, yet effective water billing system. They also added that water billing software helps utility companies to be more efficient in their overall billing processes, while helping them to boost productivity. New water billing technologies help utilities automate internal billing processes into a simple, effective, and easy to use system Maynilad Water Services, Inc. has an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) System that is designed to give Maynilad Key Accounts (large, corporate accounts) access to the same information Maynilad teams use for billing purposes. Like the Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas, water billing system of www. webgeekresources. com is a big help for the company to provide fast and easiest way of accommodating their clients or customers. The system is also capable of adding, updating and deleting of clients’ information. It has a disconnection and connection module. The system also provides billing receipts to the clients. Related Studies The thesis entitled Computerized Water Billing System for Tingga Itaas Rural Works and Sanitation Associationâ€Å"by Alcantara, Bienna Jeramie G; et. al. (2009) is related to the present study because it designed a system that provides a billing and collection mechanism for a water billing company. It improved and shorter the time consumed by the personnel to do different transactions and reports generation of the said organization. The project developed a database and designed a user application that will improved effective and efficient system of recording, storing and retrieval of information as well as faster and more accurate system for water bill calculations. It seeks to offer an effective solution by creating and customizing the computerized system that will speed up its process. The study of Gerrette Bautista and Jheelan Ocon (2009) Mabini CATV Subscription and Billing System is also related to the present study because it dealt with the billing system. It is a system that minimized the time used by the subscribers in paying of their monthly bills. They both used database as a medium for data storage. They both aimed eliminate a lot of paperwork’s and there would be fast updated records. However, they differed in the subject of the study. The previous study is a CATV billing system while the present study is for a water works association. Theoretical Framework of the Study Figure 2. 1 Computerized Billing System Theoretical Framework Conceptual Framework of the Study The proposed study has a unique concept. Therefore, it’s based on the ideas and knowledge of the researchers. Three major operations comprise the framework from which the study was undertaken. The study used the framework of operations more popularly known as the IPO or the Input, Process and Output of research. Figure 1 shows the project architecture. The proposed system was planned into an IPO chart to picture the relationship and the flow of data on the development of stages of the project. In the process of gathering the need information for this project, the proponents will use published and unpublished books and various online resources as guide through a progressive research until the proposed study was complete. These materials also helped the proponents to create new concepts and ways to expand their ideas as the project progressed. The programming language used in the study was Visual Studio 2010. The data were arranged together, processed and thus, forming the computerized billing system for the said association. The study focuses on input, process and output of the system. Figure 2. 1: Conceptual Paradigm for Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas The conceptual paradigm of the â€Å"Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas† shows the input, processes, and output of the proposed system. In creating this computerized billing system of New Tulana Waterworks Association, the researchers made use of Microsoft Visual Basic 10. 0 as the main programming language. The database included in the system was handled through the use of Microsoft Access 2007. The staff of the said association was interviewed to derive the actual content data of the system. Aside from that, books were consulted to assist the researchers in the actual development of the system. The development basically followed the waterfall method. Other sources of data where were obtained through questionnaires and through internet. The input was the development of the Automated Water Billing System with SMS of Brgy. Tugtug San Jose Batangas. Significance of the Study Educational Significance The proponents have put their skills and knowledge into use. For the future researchers, this system can serve as a basis of an improved system and can be a source of vital information that can help their research. Economic Significance It will help the association provide complete information of the customer, maintain and monitor the payment records, prevent deterioration and loss of billing records such as payment records manual, reduces errors and eliminate missing/ required records. The staffs, instead of manual billing records, they will can add, edit and save new records of customers, and to be always updated of the billing records. It save a lot of time for staff in searching billing records of customers. This will save time and effort. Technological Significance As technology grows fast, certain advancements are being developed now a days and life is getting even better to live with. It makes every task as easy as possible and nothing seems too tiring if human tasks are aided with technology. It can be applied in any aspects of life; on medicines, sciences, military, and entertainment and even in the fields of education as a tool for advance learning. The computerized billing system this system makes easy for the staff to keep a record and check on the billing record just by a click of the mouse, thus making the work easily efficient, reliable and stress-free. Overview of the Software The system serves as a billing system of customer that is set up as a computerized database. It can complete information of the customers in terms of billing records. A computerized billing system reduces the time and effort in writing down in record book. Rather manual transaction. System Type and Functional Requirements The system has a database that contains the person’s information Records Inquiry (per customer Archiving Restoration CHAPTER III THE ANALYSIS PHASE This chapter presents the analysis phase which includes the methods of research used, data gathering instruments, the analytical tools implied and the methods used in developing the system, justification of the method used and methods used for product evaluation. These research methods help the researchers to systematically design and develop the software. Methods of Research The researchers made use of different methods of research that is important for this type of study and development. Descriptive Method The researchers have gathered data in conducting the research about water billing system and analyzed the need of such system for New Tulana Waterworks Association. Currently, the association uses a paper based manual system which gives them a hard time monitoring and keeping the records of the customers. The gathered data would help the researchers in conducting thorough analysis on the requirement of the system. The researchers will try to find out if such system will be useful for the associations and would it be accepted. Data Gathering Instrument These are varieties of research that supports data gathering. It is essential for the researcher to collect as much possible reliable information needed for the development of the proposed system. In order to gather vital and reliable information, the proponents conducted an informal interview with the staff of New Tulana Waterworks Association. Observation The researchers had observed that the New Tulana Waterworks Association has no proper system in Billing Record; they still use the paper-based manual system. It is essential for a association to have a system that will monitor and keep records of billing of the customers. Analytical Tools Analytical tools helps the researchers to design and develop a system in a more systematic way, as it gives a defined approach to each step of the development process. By using analytical tools the researcher will be able to analyze the existing and the proposed system in detail. Data Flow Diagram (DFD) The DFD shows the data process of the entire system. The diagram consists of entity, flow of data, process and data storage. Visual Table of Contents VTOC chart provides a map that helps to locate the program module within the system. Program Flowchart It is a formalized graphic representation of a logic sequence, work or manufacturing process, organization chart, or similar formalized structure. It is a diagram that describes a process or operation. Methods Used in Developing the Capstone Project Evolutionary Prototyping Analysis The researchers come up with the idea of creating water billing system that will be used in the New Tulana Waterworks Association to have a better management of billing record of Customer. Specification . The software applications and the required specifications should adhere to the building process. Design The researchers considered the customers and the staffs in designing the system; the design, pictures, font and system layout must suit their taste. Implementation The researchers check the system for technical accuracy and completeness; verify the implements in the planned design. Testing The researchers tested the system to ensure the functionality and perform the task expected from it correctly. Evaluation After the test, the researchers can be able to determine the significance and merit of the system in performance, control, usability, security, software, hardware and in economy. Justification of the Method Use The evolutionary approach aims to develop a mature system through a series of prototype iterations. The prototype will undergo a series of refinements, and should eventually become the solution. This can be likened to the first draft, second draft, third draft final version. This approach is particularly useful when the exact requirements of the solution cannot be set out in advance, or are considered to be vague. The client and/or end-users can become closely involved the development, playing a key role as each iteration moves further from prototype and closer to a useable solution that does what it is needed to do, and does it well. The evolutionary prototyping was utilized in the development of the proposed system, the main goal when using Evolutionary Prototyping is to build a very robust prototype in a structured manner and constantly refine it. The reason for this is that the evolutionary prototype, when built, forms the heart of the new system, and the improvements and further requirements will be built. This technique allows the development team to add and make changes. For a system to be useful, it must evolve through use in its intended operational environment. A system is never done; it is always maturing. Methods used for Product Evaluation Three types of feasibility tested were conducted by the researchers during this project, which are as follows: Technical Feasibility The designed system provides technical solution to the existing problems that are encountered by the current manual system. Operational Feasibility The designed system is feasible due to its simple to use functions and approach Economic Feasibility The system being developed is economic with respect to the association’s point of view. It is cost effective in the sense that has eliminated paper works completely.