Transaction processing systems 1. Characteristics of transaction processing systems Batch...
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Transcript of Transaction processing systems 1. Characteristics of transaction processing systems Batch...
Characteristics of transaction processing systems
Batch transaction processing Real-time transaction processing Data validation Historical significance of transaction
processing systems Manual transaction systems
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Characteristics of transaction processing systems Transaction: event generating or modifying stored data
in an info sys. Batch transaction processing collects transaction data
as a group/batch processed later (time delay) Real-time transaction processing: immediate data
processing Data Validation: used to check entry of transaction data Historical significance of transaction processing
systems: UNIVAC Manual transaction systems: business systems that
operate without the use of machines.
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TPS Characteristics
They collect, store, modify and retrieve the transaction of an organisation.
Directly support business operations Must be designed in conjunction w/
the organisation’s procedures. Main information processes: collecting
and storage.
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4 important characteristics Rapid response (fast performance, rapid
response time) Reliability (low failure rate, quick and
accurate recovery, backup and recovery procedures)
Inflexibility (every transaction processed in same way regardless of conditions)
Controlled processing (supports an organisation’s operations)
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Large batch
Mainframe PC and magnetic tape Payroll or stock info Employee: hours worked, overtime
earned Payroll master file updated Pay slips created (ALL employees) Often run at night – less demand for
info sys
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3 disadvantages in batch processing
Processing schedule predetermined Errors unable to be corrected during
processing Sorting transaction data – expensive
and time consuming
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2 concerns w/ real-time transaction processing
Concurrency: data cannot be changed by 2 users at same time
Atomicity: steps completed succesfully as a group. If any step fails, no other step should be completed.
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Transaction processing monitor
Software (middleware) allowing running of TP programs.
Manages sequence of events Provides interface between input
devices and DBMS Provides data security, ensuring
transactions don’t get lost/corrupted.
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Differences btween real-time and batch Real time: each transaction is unique; transactions are
stand-alone; requires master file to be available more often for updating; fewer errors – transaction data is validated and entered immediately; infrequent errors may occur – but often tolerated; not practical to shut down whole system (infrequent errors); more computer operators are required in real-time processing – operations not centralised.
Batch: each transaction part of a group; database not accesible all of the time; more errors; data is organised and stored before master file is updated – errors can occur during these steps; easier to maintain than real-time.
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Data validation
Used to check the entry of transaction data.
Procedures ensure transactions are correct and have been accurately stored in the database.
Involves transaction initiation and field checking.
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Historical significance and manual transaction systems
Historical significance: UNIVAC 1950’s Manual transaction systems: business
systems operating w/o use of machines.
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Components of a transaction processing system
Users: take data and use it in another info system type
Participants: conduct info processing People (from the environment):
directly enter transactions and perform validation
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Examples of real-time transaction processing
Reservation systems: set aside service/product for future use
Motels Point-of-sale (POS) terminals: sells
goods/services Library loan systems: keeps track of
items borrowed from library
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System flowchart for a POS system
Server POS system
Customer receipt
Product Database
UPC Price
UPC/quantity
UPC/quantity
Inventory database
Purchase database
MIS
Inventory report
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Examples of batch transaction processing
Cheque clearance: written order asking bank to pay money to a person
Bill generation: an invoice for goods/services supplied to a customer.
Credit card sales transaction: takes impression of customer’s card
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Databases and files
Database: collection of data Types: hierarchical, network,
relational Important features for design: good
data placement, short transactions, real-time backup, high normalisation, archiving of historical data and good hardware configuration
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File: block of data Master file: info about business
organisation Transaction file: collection of transaction
records Report file: data formatted for presentation Work file: temporary file in the system used
during processing Program file: instructions for processing of
data
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Data warehousing
Data warehouse: collects info from different data sources
Consolidated, subject-oriented, historical and read-only
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Backup procedures
Backup: another copy of data Recovery processes include backup,
journal, checkpoint and recovery manager
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2 types of recovery
Backward recovery: back out or undo unwanted changes
Forward recovery: redo changes
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Recovery processes continued
Magnetic tape: stores large data quantities inexpensively. Uses sequential access
Grandfather-father-son: backup procedure refers to at least 3 generations of backup master files
Partial backups: parts of master file backed up
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Updating in a batch Originally feasible: details were stored on
punch cards or magnetic tape 2 stages – collecting and processing of
transaction data into file & updating master file
Sequential access: data accessed in a sequence. Time consuming.
Information technology: magnetic tape
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Updating in real time Direct/random access: data is accessed
without accessing previous data items. Stores data based on an algorithm, which calculates data location. When index used, called indexed access.
Information technology: magnetic disk Software – online and user-friendly Rapid response time – few seconds or less
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Other information processes
Collecting: generating transaction data
Analysing data: meet user’s information needs. Output from TPS is input to other systems
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Hardware
MICR (Magnetic ink character recognition): used by banks to read account numbers on cheques
ATM (Automatic teller machine): banking terminal performing deposits and withdrawals
Barcode readers: used in retail to collect product information
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Forms
Document used to collect data from a person
Examples include sign-on sheet for payroll.
On-screen forms: populates fields in a database
Web forms: used to purchase items over the internet
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Decision support systems
Assist people to make decisions by providing information, models and analysis tools
Data mining: used in DSSs to find relationships and patterns in the data
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Management information systems
Provides information for the manager Different types of reports include
scheduled reports, forecasting reports, on-demand reports and exception reports
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Key issues in designing an MIS or DSS
How a system will be modeled How model of system will be handled
by the computer What data will be used How far into the future trends will be
extrapolated
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Issues related to transaction processing systems
Nature of work Non-computer procedures Bias Importance of data Control in transaction processing
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Nature of work
Automation of jobs: the use of information technology to perform tasks once performed by people
People as participants: resulted in fewer jobs in banks. People are purchasing products by completing a web form.
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Non-computer procedures
Organisations rely on TPS Manual backup procedure if system
crashes When system up & running, user
needs procedure to enter manual transactions
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Bias
Data unfairly skewed or gives too much weight on particular result
Data gathered can be presented in biased way using tables and charts
Becomes ethical issue when relevant information is misrepresented
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Importance of data
Data security: involves series of safeguards to protect data
Encryption: coding data Decryption: changing it back Firewalls: used on networks to verify
and authenticate all incoming data
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Importance of data continued Accuracy: extent data is free from errors.
Errors caused by mistakes in gathering data, data entry, mismatch of data and person, or out-of-date information
Data validation: checks data entry. Checks for missing data, too high or too low data values, data values inconsistent with other data, data in wrong format.
Carried out using range checks, list checks, type checks and check digits (see Chapter 2)
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ACID test Atomicity: all steps involved in transaction
completed successfully as a group Consistency: transaction successfully
transforms the system and database from one valid state to another
Isolation: transaction is processed concurrently with other transactions. As if only transaction executing the system
Durability: all changes transaction makes to database become permanent
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Control in transaction processing
Starts with collecting, includes manner TPS manipulates data & way errors are corrected
Some people in management positions are willing to falsify transactions to promote careers
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Aspects of TPS relevant to “A large retail company” Real-time transaction processing Manual transaction systems Components of a TPS Credit card sales transactions Database and files Updating in a batch, real-time Other information processes: collecting Nature of work Non-computer procedures Bias
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Real-time transaction processing It is important in an organisation such as a “large
retail company” for the immediate processing of data & instant confirmation of a transaction (specifically needed in a retail environment where servicing a number of customers with a limited staff under a limited amount of time is usual). The 4 important characteristics of a TPS stresses this. They are rapid response, reliability, inflexibility and controlled processing. Also, the concerns of concurrency and atomicity are important in ensuring data is not mishandled or any procedures/steps taken are completed successfully as a group or not executed at all.
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Manual transaction systems Manual transaction systems are imperative in the retail environment
because they were the conceptual basis for real-time TPS. They were used long before the rise in technology allowed for easier data collection and storage. Obviously, they have been around since trading and business took its early strides. In smaller stalls who still cannot afford the technology corporations use, it is necessary to use manual transaction systems to record business activities. Manual transaction systems are based on a clear set of rules followed by a person. They make it easier to transmit the data into a format suitable for recording onto an information technology e.g. a computer. Of course, computerisation of a manual T.S. brings benefits, when used by a large retail organisation. It increases the rate at which products are sold, which means more profit for the retail chain. The less time taken for a customer to purchase a product is invaluable in customer satisfaction, as there are lesser queues – therefore lesser time spent on waiting. Also manual T.S.s provides the retail chain with information in what products are on demand. The retail chain capitalises on this information on consumer habits and they can tailor their products to attract more customers, thereby meaning more profit.
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Components of a TPS People are obviously important in an operation of a TPS.
They are usually classified as users, participants and people in the environment. This classification allows for easier role recognition within the retail chain organisation. Users do not interact w/ the TPS but use the data provided. They provide information about the system that is useful to the large retail chain. The participants are the shop workers which do the actual work conducted in a retail chain store. They enter the data into the TPSs. And the peole from the environment are the consumers, or people who buy goods from the shop front. They become participants when they use EFTPOS terminals located within the retail store to purchase goods and ATMS within or outside of it. They become participants in the sense that they directly enter transactions and perform validations.
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Examples of real-time transaction processing
Reservation systems basically involve setting aside a product or service for future purchase or use. They are common in the retail industry. Lay-by is a good example. This involves the delaying of a valued item for future purchase. A minor monetary deposit, usually a small percentage of the overall purchase price of the product is then used to secure the customer the right to purchase this product at a later time.
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Examples of real-time transaction processing continued
POS terminals are used by retail stores to sell goods and services. In large retail organisations, POS terminals send inventory data to a central computer (sale made). We as users become participants when we use these machines to purchase items from the store. The data is converted for easier transmission. Relevant information and the price are displayed using barcode readers.
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Examples of real-time transaction processing continued
Credit card sales transactions can be done over the internet, at POS terminals or taking an impression of customer’s credit card. Both the POS system and the multi-page credit slip system rely on batch processing. We use them as an alternative to money, to pay for retail store purchases.
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Databases and files
In any large retail chain/organisation, the information processes often vary. In the handling of data, the storage and retrieval of data must be spot on. Retail chains rely on this trait for the success of their business.
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Databases and files
Good data placement:Database is designed to efficiently gain access to frequently used data & data patterns
Short transactions: transactions can be processed fast
Real-time backup: saving data during low usage or idle time
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Databases and files continued High normalisation: data redundancy is
minimised to increase update speed. Also improves backup speed.
Archiving of historical data: old data stored in chronological order in separate databases.
Good hardware configuration: the setup must be able to handle a number of users and provide rapid response
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Files Master file: info about a retail chain’s
business. This is where the data is stored Transaction file: audit trails and history for
the retail chain Report file: formatted user presentable
data Work file: temporary file Program file: data processing instructions.
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Backup procedures
Backups provide safety nets for data restoration in case of a system crash/malfunction. Without these, the retail chain will cease to make profits as a result of data loss. They are usually stored in a safe location.
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Recovery process When a TPS fails, data must be recovered
immediately for restoration. Journal: keeps track of company records on
a physical medium. Checkpoint: are like signposts. Indicate
where, when, what data was saved in a daily period. Syncs files and journals together for smoother transaction reviewing
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Recovery process
Backward recovery: undo database changes
Forward recovery: redo database changes
Recovery manager: restores database to a previous condition
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