DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPUTERIZED DATA BASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

ABSTRACT

The world in its development has gone through three evolutionary stages- The Stone Age, The Jet Age and Currently the Computer Age. The Computer Age is a stage that is geared towards reducing the utilization of manual human labour in work places. Amongst its aims is the reduction of paperwork in offices, that is, the creation of a paper-less community. The manual processing of large volume of data proves way for scores of errors due to the instability of human accuracy; kills a lot o time; and most importantly makes file loss and misplacement incidentally high.  These factors pose a great problem to the successful running of offices and large firms of which THE NIGERIAN CEMENT (NIGERCEM) COMPANY PLC, NKALAGU, EBONYI STATE is not an exception. This project deals extensively with the design and implementation of a computerized information storing and retrieval (as well as manipulation) system, for employees and customers of the above mentioned firm. This system is centrally at one thing- facilitating the company’s tasks. A lot of materials relevant to the topic were used during the course of this project’s compilation including questionnaires and oral interviews. The system can also be put into use by other cement manufacturing companies and related firms with little modifications.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0    INTRODUCTION

In many offices, records are traditionally kept on paper and in file jackets. However, as the amount of records increases, the volume of paper work involved also increases.  This will in turn result in problem of storage spaces. It becomes generally more difficult to manage such a system. Also retrieval of information becomes cumbersome.  On account of these shortcomings computerized information storage and management is fast replacing the traditional and methods which NIGERCEM will not be left out. Personnel department in NIGERCEM, they compile and keep records of its workers and customers. The issue of host worker is a problem often faced by NIGERCEM. This problem can be reduced by the use of a well-designed and implemented data base management system.

1.1    STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This project deals with the development of a computerized data base management system with NIGERCEM as a case study. A lot of companies in Nigeria especially those that encounter direct correspondence with numerous customers are computerizing their operations and NIGERCEM being a firm that fits into the above description will not be left out cement companies like Dangote, Portland cement and Eagle Cement Port-Harcourt have recorded a lot of improvement and considerable levels of efficiency in dealing with customers and other operations due to effective computerization. Record processing in NIGERCEM Nkalagu is done manually while the records are kept in files. The personnel department handles the workers’ file while the finance division handles the customers’ files.  Workers’ files and customers’ file are so large that to say that offices are not spacious enough to contain them would be an understatement. Most of the time when references is to be made on these files, it will be found that some of them are already damaged due to physical constraints as excess heat or moisture. Others are left at the mercy of vermin’s like mice, cockroaches and termites. A lot of relevant information is lost in this way.

1.2    PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this project is to develop and implement a safer way of keeping these information and to keep a breast of the latest technology in vogue and to enhance performance. Also, to carryout a research on transforming the personnel department of NIGERCEM Plc manual record keeping into a computerized system. The implementation of this system would neither bring about workers’ redundancy nor deny them benefit but will enhance efficiency and proper storage system.

1.3    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The design and implementation of a Data Base Management System (DBMS) for NIGERCEM Plc will do the following among others:-

–        Save time in information retrieval

–        Prevent data from corruption and destruction

–        Help save useful space that will be otherwise used to store volumes of files containing records.

1.4    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The areas covered by the project are the data bank handle by personnel department and a part of the customer records handled by the finance division. Other areas like fiscal transactions, stock taking and quality control are not included in the scope of this project.

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