TABLE OF CONTENT

Declaration ii

Approval iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgements v

List ofAbbreviations/Acronyms vi

List ofTables and Figures vii

TABLE OF CONTENT viii

Abstract/Executive Summary

CHAPTER ONE:fNTRODUCTJON TO THE STUDY 2

1.0 Background information 2

1.1 Statement of the Problem 3

1.2 General objective 3

1.3 Specific objectives 4

1.4 Research question 4

1.5 Scope of the study 4

1.6 Justification of the study 4

CHAPTER TWO:LITERATURE REVIEW 5

2.0 Introduction

2.1 An interactive system 5

2.2 Online distribution systems 6

2.3 Interactive on-line distribution system 7

2.4 A chain of supermarkets 8

2.5 Computer softer ware 9

2.6Asystem 10

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CHAPTER THREE:METHODOLOGy .11

3.0 Overview 11

3.1 Interviews

3.1.1 Types of interview 12

3.1.2 One-to-one Interview 12

3.1.3 Phone Interview 12

3.1.4 Group interview 12

3.1.5 Questionnaires 13

3.1.6 On-Site Interview 13

3.1.7 Off-Site Interview 13

3.2 Data analysis 13

3.3 Data Flow Diagrams and Entity Relationship Diagrams 14

3.4 System Development 14

3.5 Testing 14

CHAPTER FOUR:5YSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN 15

4.0 Introduction 15

4.1 Operation of the current system 15

4.2 Information Flow in the Current System 16

4.3 Problems of the Current System 19

4.4 The Proposed System 19

4.5 Requirements and desired specifications for the proposed 19

System 19

4.5.1 User Requirements 20

4.5.2 Functional Requirements 21

4.5.3 Non functional Requirements 21

4.6 System Design 21

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CHAPTER FIVE:JMpLEMENTATJQN .26

5.0 Design objectives 26

5.1 Efficiency 26

5.2 Security 26

5.3 Data Input and Validation 27

CHAPTER SIX:CQNCLUSJQNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 29

6.1 Introduction 29

6.2 Conclusion 29

6.3 Recommendations 30

References; 1

APPENDIX I:Questionnaires for selectedrespondents 32

APPENDIX II:Budget estimates for proposal and report writing 35

APPENDIX III:Research Time Frame 36

APPENDIX IV:Necessary requirements 37

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ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This dissertation is entitled “An interactive On-line distribution system for a chain of supermarkets”, it is presented as a result of a research that was carried out at Basita Supermarket at the Kitintale main branch in Kampala, Uganda. The study was carried to identify the current problems at Basita super market, and then design a better system to improve service delivery and customer care at the supermarket.