WEB-BASED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM USING

MAINSTREET BANK PLC

BY

Ewere, Faith Omorodion, B. Sc. M.Sc. (Computer Science) (Programme Analyst,

University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria) Phone: 08130415428.

1
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The main purpose that banks have been serving since their inception is keeping our

money safe for us. While keeping our money safe, they also let us earn a certain

amount of interest on the money deposited with them. Traditional banks have been

doing this, and internet banks continue the same function. The only difference is in

the way the transactions are made. We all know about internet banking and most of us

use it quite often as well, but few of us actually understand about the history of

internet banking and how it all came out. Knowing the history of internet banking can

be incredibly useful, especially since it will allow us to have more respect for the little

things that we take for granted. Computers themselves have really come an enormous

way since their initial establishment, as the earliest electronic computers were so large

that they would take up the entire area of a room, while today some are so small that

they can hardly be seen at all.

In today's world, computers play an incredibly large role in the way the world exists

in general, and the majority of tasks could actually not be completed if not for the use

of computers. Computers have helped to make life significantly easier, productive,

and more convenient for us all. It is used for managing information in most corporate

organizations such as the banks, especially in the area of internet or online banking.

The concept of internet banking has been around for quite a few years now, but has

really only become prominent over the past year or so in particular. Internet banking

offers an array of different advantages to the user, including: account balances and

history including year-to-date information, the ability to transfer money from one

account to another and to payees for bill payments, check history, reorders, and stop

2
payments, check credit card balances and statements, complete online loan

applications, secure interactive messaging with staff, and much more.

Internet banking basically allows you to be able to do everything that you can in your

regular banking institution, only with the benefit that you can do it all right from the

convenience of your own home. Not only is this great because you can be comfortable

and have peace of mind knowing that you can keep track yourself of all your banking

issues, but as well it allows for more ease because you never have to worry about

rushing out and making it to the bank.

This study examines web-based management information system using Mainstreet

Bank Plc and also seeks to design and develop a web-based management information

system (online banking system) for Mainstreet Bank Plc, Edo State.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

With the problems and limitations associated with manual banking procedures or

transactions as witnessed in some commercial banks today, in addition to the

problems associated with the existing application programs even much more in the

presence of serious technological advances aimed at improving the management of

information in these banks, the need for improvement in the process of information

management activities and the means of achieving its efficiency, effectiveness,

reliability and success promising future through computer intervention cannot be

undermined.

The introduction of a web-based management information system or an Internet

banking system identifies a particular set of technological solutions for the

development and the distribution of financial services, which rely upon the open

architecture of the Internet. With the implementation of a web-based management

3
information system for the banking sector, the banks maintain a direct relationship

with the end users via the web and are able to provide a personal characterization to

the interface, by offering additional customised services. Thus, in view of these

aforementioned facts and for the purpose of this study, the study will seek to design

and develop such a system using Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi, Edo State, as case

study.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The aim of this project is to develop a web-based management information system for

Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi, Edo State. The online system will provide the following

facilities:

i.) Create a banking system that is easily accessible by customers from the

comfort of their homes, offices, etc;

ii.) Provide facilities for customers to make deposits, withdrawals and view their

account balances from the comfort of their homes, offices, etc.

iii.) Promote efficient and effective banking for the banks by focusing on those

services that still require physical presence at the banking hall.

iv.) Reduce the flow of human traffic and long queues at banks;

v.) Reduce the time wasted in going to banks to stay on queues;

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will help to provide information on benefits derived in using internet

banking and its fundamental.

Also, many consumers today are turning to the ease and convenience of Internet

banking to take care of their financial needs. With the new levels of information

4
management and access made possible by the Internet with respect to the banking

sector, people can now check the status of their finances with the click of a button.

Furthermore, the implementation of such system will allows bank customers to check

balances online and make bank transactions such as deposit and withdrawals from the

comfort of their own homes.

1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this project is limited to the activities of the operations unit of the

banking system of Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi, Edo State, which include opening of

Account, Deposit of funds, Withdrawal of funds and account balance enquiries.

1.6 METHODOLOGY

This project employs the object oriented approach of software engineering using

appropriate programming development tools (algorithms and flowcharts). Some of the

steps to be taken are:

 Feasibility study – Understanding and identifying of existing system;

 Analysis – proper analysis and suggested solution to tackle such problems will

be considered;

 Design – Designing the new system will be achieved through an object

oriented software tools (algorithms and program flowcharts);

 Coding – This is implemented using HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language)

and Visual BASIC programming language. HTML will be used to design the

front pages and Visual BASIC programming language will be used to design

the working program. That is the underlying programming technology that

5
 takes care of the various banking transactions (customers’ deposits,

withdrawals, and account balance enquires).

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

A management information system (MIS) – This is a system that provides

information needed to manage organizations effectively. Management information

systems involve three primary resources: technology, information, and people.

Online Banking - Online banking (or Internet banking) is a kind of banking system

that allows customers to conduct financial transactions on a secure website operated

by their bank, from the comfort of their homes.

Bank \Deposit - Deposit refers to an amount of money in cash or check form or sent

via a wire transfer that is placed into a bank account. The target bank account for the

Bank Deposit can be any kind of account that accepts deposits.

Bank Withdrawal - The withdrawal of money from your account at a bank. In other

words, it is the act of taking out money or other capital from a bank.

6
 CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 OVERVIEW OF WEB-BASED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

SYSTEM

A management information system (MIS) is a system that provides information

needed to manage organizations efficiently and effectively (Brien, 1999).

Management information systems involve three primary resources: technology,

information, and people. It is important to recognize that while all three resources are

key components when studying management information systems, the most important

resource is people (Pant, 1995). Management information systems are regarded as a

subset of the overall internal controls procedures in a business, which cover the

application of people, documents, technologies, and procedures used by management

accountants to solve business problems such as costing a product, service or a

business-wide strategy. Management information systems are distinct from regular

information systems in that they are used to analyze other information systems

applied in operational activities in the organization (Brien, 1999). Academically, the

term is commonly used to refer to the group of information management methods tied

to the automation or support of human decision making, e.g. decision support

systems, expert systems, and executive information systems (Brien, 1999).

Initially in businesses and other organizations, internal reporting was made manually

and only periodically, as a by-product of the accounting system and with some

additional statistic(s), and gave limited and delayed information on management

performance. Previously, data had to be separated individually by the people as per

the requirement and necessity of the organization. Later, data was distinguished from

7
information, and so instead of the collection of mass of data, important and to the

point data that is needed by the organization was stored.

Earlier, business computers were mostly used for relatively simple operations such as

tracking sales or payroll data, often without much detail. Over time, these applications

became more complex and began to store increasing amount of information while also

interlinking with previously separate information systems. As more and more data

was stored and linked man began to analyze this information into further detail,

creating entire management reports from the raw, stored data. The term "MIS" arose

to describe these kinds of applications, which were developed to provide managers

with information about sales, inventories, and other data that would help in managing

the enterprise. Today, the term is used broadly in a number of contexts and includes

(but is not limited to): decision support systems, resource and people management

applications, enterprise resource planning (ERP), enterprise performance management

(EPM), supply chain management (SCM), customer relationship management (CRM),

project management and database retrieval applications.

The introduction and proliferation of computers has helped to create a need for people

to connect computers together on a network giving birth to the Internet. As

technology has increased and cheapened the need to share information across a large

company had also grown, this gave way to the management of information over the

web or Internet, which is referred to as web-based management information system.

With this era computers on a common network were able to access shared information

on a server. This allows for large amounts of data to be accessed by thousands and

even millions of people simultaneously.

This along with high speed networks has led to a much more mobile view of

management information system (MIS).

8
2.2 INTRODUCTION TO ONLINE BANKING

Online banking (or Internet banking or electronic banking) allows customers to

conduct financial transactions on a secure website operated by their retail or virtual

bank, credit union or building society.

Online banking refers to the effective deployment of information technology (IT) by

banks. However, the fact that a bank uses computers is not enough to qualify it as an

electronic bank (or E-Bank).

Online banking is about using the infrastructure of the digital age to create

opportunities - both local and global. Online banking enables the dramatic lowering of

transaction costs, and the creation of new types of banking opportunities that address

the barriers of time and distance. Banking opportunities are local, global and

immediate in online banking.

2.3 BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE BANKING

In recent time online banking has spread rapidly all over the globe. All Banks are

making greater use of online banking facilities to provide batter service and to excel

in competition. The spread of online banking has also greatly benefited the ordinary

customer in general and corporate world in particular. The following points

summarize benefits of online banking.

Benefits to Consumers:

General consumers have been significantly affected in a positive manner by online

banking. Many of the ordinary tasks have now been fully automated resulting in

greater ease and comfort.

 Customer’s account is extremely accessible with an online account.

9
  Customer can withdraw at any time through ATMs that are now widely

available throughout the country.

 Beside withdrawing cash, customers can also have mini banks statements,

balance inquiry at these ATMs.

 Through Internet Banking, customer can operate his account while sitting in

his office or home. There is no need to go to the bank in person for such

matter.

 Online banking has also greatly helped in payment of utility bill. Now there is

no need to stand in long queues outside banks for his purpose.

 All services that are usually available from the local bank can be found on a

single website.

 The Growth of credit card usage also owes greatly to online banking. Now a

customer can shop world wide without any need of carrying paper money with

him.

 Banks are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and they are only a

mouse click away.

Benefits to Banking Industry:

Banking industry has also received numerous benefits due to growth of E-Banking

infrastructure. There are highlighted below:

 The growth of online banking has greatly helped the banks in controlling their

over heads and operating cost.

 Many repetitive and tedious tasks have now been fully automated resulting in

greater efficiency, better time usage and enhanced control.

10
  The rise of online banking has made banks more competitive. It has also led to

expansion of the banking industry, opening of new avenues for banking

operations.

 Online banking has greatly helped the banking industry to reduce paper work,

thus helping them to move the paper less environment.

 Online banking has also helped bank in proper documentation of their records

and transactions.

 The reach and delivery capabilities of computer networks, such as the Internet,

are far better than any branch network.

Benefits to General Economy:

Online banking as already stated has greatly serviced both the general public and the

banking industry. This has resulted in creation of a better enabling environment that

supports growth, productivity and prosperity. Besides many tangible benefit in form

of reduction if cost, reduced delivery time, increased efficiency, reduced wastage,

online banking electronically controlled and thoroughly monitored environment

discourage many illegal and illegitimate practices associated with banking industry

like money laundering, frauds and embezzlements. Further online banking has helped

banks in better monitoring of their customer base. This it is a useful tool in the hand

of the bank to device suitable commercial packages that are in conformity with

customer needs. As online banking provide opportunity to banking sector to enlarge

their customer base, a consequence to increase the of volume of credit creation which

results in better economic condition, Besides all this E-banking has also helped in

documentation of the economic activity of the masses.

11
Banks can provide information and services online, which customers can pay for, and

receive.

Banking processes are made more efficient and cost effective by integrating other

aspects of banking operations such as treasury management and financial control.

If a banking function does not require physical interaction, it may derive the benefits

of electronic banking.

2.4 ONLINE BANKING IN NIGERIA

Just like many other developing countries, electronic banking initiatives are being

worked on in Nigeria to exploit the technological benefits that can be reaped along

with many other e-readiness initiatives being taken.

Electronic banking both as a medium of delivery of banking services and as a

strategic tool for business development, has gained wide acceptance internationally

and is fast catching up Nigeria with more and more banks entering the fray. Nigeria

can be said to be the threshold of a major banking revolution with net banking having

already been unveiled (Ovia, 2001). Of all the sectors in the Nigeria Economy,

Banking stands out despite “a not too good” Economy.

Electronic banking provides the facility of accessing customer accounts from

anywhere in the world by using a home computer with Internet connection, is

particularly fascinating to Non-Resident Nigerians and High Net worth Individuals

having multiple bank accounts. The growth potential is, therefore, immense. Further

incentives provided by banks would dissuade customers from visiting physical

branches, and thus get ‘hooked’ to the convenience of armchair banking.

At present, the situation does not seem to have shown any significant improvement.

12
Whereas about 90 percent of the banks in the country offer other forms of electronic

banking services like telephone banking. ATM and electronic fund transfer, Internet

banking is yet to take centre stage. This aspect of banking is still at the basic

informative stage (Ovia, 2001) this is so despite the widely acclaimed benefits of

Internet banking against the traditional branch banking practice. Part of the reasons

identified for the inability of banks in Nigeria to take full advantage of this mode of

banking includes lack of adequate operational infrastructure like telecommunication

and power, upon which Electronic banking generally relies. Due to the inability of the

banks to integrate their operations into the Internet development process, Internet

banking can be said to have less in the existing banking structure in the country.

Earlier articulate reasons why Internet Banking was having a moderate economic

impact in the country include that Nigerian bank customers are not on the average

trained on for teller jobs and the working of internet banking, a situation which makes

transaction processing via internet banking prone to error; the absence of a clearly

defined legal frame-work for internet banking, leaving banks with inadequate legal

cover to provide the services; and poor telecommunication infrastructure all over the

country.

In addition, the fact that internet assuage in the country has been abused by

cybercriminals makes its window unattractive for domestic banking operations and

legitimate international operations. The inherent fear associated with patronizing

internet banking services in Nigeria is again re-enforced by the growing evidences

that the world over, dubious Nigerians use fake websites to scoop funds from

unsuspecting victims. In some cases, these crimes are committed using existing bank

sites.

13
2.5 CHALLENGES OF ONLINE BANKING

Inspite of the enormous benefits electronic banking seeks to provide, there some

issues with it and these are discussed below:

2.5.1 THREATS OF CYBER-CRIMES ON THE NIGERIAN BANKING

PREMISES

The Advances fee fraud or 419, which is one of the most popular of all internet

frauds, has its origin from Nigeria in the 1980s. Its development and spread follows

the path of the developments in information technology at inception, postal letters

were used as key media for committing 419 frauds. Later in the early 1990s, it

became integrated into telecommunication facilities such as the telephone and fax

from the late 1990s. Following the introduction of computers and internet, 419 crimes

became prevalently perpetrated through the use of e-mail and other internet means

(Amedu, 2005). The latest dimension taken by the perpetrators of this crime is the use

of fake internet bank site, and using that to encourage victims to open accounts with

them.

The country is the third highest ranked in internet ‘money offer’ frauds. As was

reported in one of the national newspapers, frauds and forgeries in Nigerian bank as at

June 2005 stood at 329 or N1.15 billion monetary equivalent, against 222 cases or

N1.47 billion monetary equivalent in April same year. There is even global suspicion

that a Nigerian crime syndicate that coordinates global crimes such as money

laundering, bank fraud and 419 seams exists today. These issues basically defeat the

key ingredients of electronic banking, which includes confidentiality, integrity and

availability.

14
Several factors are responsible for the above situation. They include inordinate

tolerance for corruption among Nigerian public and government agencies; weakness

of the existing legislative/judicial institutions to make and enforce relevant laws on

cybercrimes; quality of graduates in terms of professional values and ethics; chronic

unemployment among graduates, and the widening gap between the few rich and the

many poor caused mainly by bad governance. In the main, erosion of good value

principles and corruption constitute the greatest cause of rising cyber-crimes among

Nigerian (Domestic electronic payment in Nigeria) (Amedu, 2010). This, according to

transparency International, is worsened by fact that several generations of Nigerians

have been raised in this norm. Hence, what is seen as a dangerous global crime is

socially acclaimed and glamorized in Nigeria.

The above situation constitutes the environment upon which electronic banking has

emerged in Nigeria. Although the level of the adoption and practice of electronic

banking (especially Internet banking) has remained quite insignificant, global

projections still remains that Information Technology would continue to play a

revolutionary role in the development and delivery of banking products and services

all over the world. In effect, it is this projection that has raised pertinent regulatory

questions concerning electronic banking, especially in Internet fraud-infested

countries like Nigeria. One key issue here borders on how to handle the rising level of

frauds and forgery prevalent in the entire banking system; and how to make Internet

banking fit well in the banking structure of a country so notoriously identifiable with

criminals use Internet access.

15
2.5.2 THE REGULATORY CHALLENGES

At the national level, the Nigerian government and the relevant regulatory agencies

have strived to match the rapidly changing electronic banking environment with

necessary regulations and frameworks (Soludo, 2005). Earlier efforts made to this

effect included the enactment of the Failed Banks (Recovery of Debts) and

Malpractices in Bank Decree No. 18 of 1994, and the Money Laundering of 1995.

However, as noted above, poor enforcement procedure rendered these instruments

very inactive in checking the menace of financial crimes. By the late 1990s, following

record growth internet and computer usage in the country, almost all the regulations

guiding the banking industry, including the Banks and Other Institution Act of 1991,

were lacking adequate provisions to accommodate the emerging trend. Not even a

mention of electronic banking or any manner of its application was mentioned in any

of those prevailing regulatory documents. The situation created a lot of gaps between

the levels of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regulatory tools and the advances in

information technology. This at the same time made the banks vulnerable to all kinds

of risks, including transaction, strategic, reputation and foreign exchange risks

(Soludo, 2005). This deficiency notwithstanding, it is not until 2003 when the maiden

guidelines on electronic banking came into force.

The electronic banking guidelines emerged from the findings of a Technical

Committee on Electronic Banking set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2003 to

find appropriate modalities for the operation of electronic banking in the country. It

was indeed the findings and recommendations of the committee that led to the

adoption of a set of guidelines on Electronic Banking in August 2003. Of the key

provisions of the guidelines, only a section deals with issues relating to Internet

Banking. Section 1.3 paragraph 4 of the guidelines, exceptionally stresses that banks

16
should put in place procedures for maintaining the bank’s Web site, including the

various security features needed for Internet banking services (CBN, 2003).

Despite its numerous technical specifications, the guidelines have been widely

criticized as not being enough to check the growing popularity of Electronic banking

against the backdrop of growing sophistication in technology related crimes and

frauds. Closer examination of the contents of the guidelines equally shows that the

document fails to meet up with the four key areas where Electronic banking may have

regulatory impact changing the traditional lines upon which existing regulatory

structures are laid; handling concerns about existing public policy issues; changing

the nature and scope of existing risks; and rebalancing regulatory rules and industry

discretion. Again, some important recommendation of the Technical Committee that

gave rise to the adoption of the guidelines was completely omitted. This is especially

so with paragraph 6.1 of the Committee’s report, which among others recommended

that all banks, intending to offer transactional services on the Internet /other e-banking

products, should obtain an approval-in-principle from CBN prior to commencing

these services.

Part of the criticisms is that the recent guidelines are capable of constraining the

practice and development of Electronic Banking Nigeria. One of such areas, for

instance, is the requirement on electronic banking product development. While

acknowledgement that the existing regulations would apply wholly on electronic

banking, section 4.2 of the Guidelines emphasizes that only banks, which are licensed,

supervised and with physical presence in Nigeria, are permitted to offer electronic

banking services in Nigeria, and that virtual banks are not to be allowed. The

Guidelines also gives indications that the products/services can only be offered to

residents of Nigeria with a verifiable address with the geographic boundary of

17
Nigeria; any person residing physically in Nigeria as a citizen, under a resident permit

or other legal residency designation under the Nigerian Immigration Act; any person

known herein as a “classified person” who neither is temporarily in Nigeria. The

Guidelines go further to indicate that the e-banking service should be offered in Naira

only; and that where such a service is to be provided in foreign currency, it should be

to only the holders of ordinary domiciliary accounts, and conform with all foreign

exchange regulations.

In addition to this array of criticisms, the workability of proper Internet framework is

also queried amidst the poor state of basic information technological infrastructure in

the country. This is essentially necessary since Electronic Banking generally relies on

the existence of adequate operational infrastructure like telecommunications and

power to function effective. Though little success has been recorded, the supply of

these requisite facilities is very erratic in the Nigerian case. Where they exist, high

cost of acquisition and maintenance tend to deny a greater percentage of the

population access to them. The case of Internet access is a glaring one where majority

of the citizens rely solely on the services of commercial cyber cafes to meet their

Internet needs. It is expected of the E-Banking Guidelines to provide procedures not

only for banks investment in Internet facilities, but also in promoting customers’

access to such.

Unfortunately, none of such is contained in the document. Prior to the merger, each of

the four banks maintained a unique brand, discernable areas of coverage, an easily

identified degree of strength and competencies in various areas of banking services

and a fair share of the market.

Technology is undoubtedly a very important tool of every bank’s competitive

strategy. It had drawn the line between success and failure.

18
 CHAPTER THREE

SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

3.1 SYSTEM ANALYSIS

System analysis is the process of analyzing a system with a view of bringing out the

problems in the existing system and consequently proffering an alternative method

that is aimed at curbing the problems in the system.

In this study, an investigation of the existing system of information management

being carried out by Mainstreet Bank Plc was carried out.

Interview was conducted with the Head of Management Information System (MIS)

Unit of the bank. Information on the bank information management system and

problems faced with the current system was related to me in the course of the

interview. Also, information and transactions usually processed and kept as records

for reference purposes such as customers’ deposit/withdrawal transactions, customers’

bank statements enquiries requests were related to me.

Also facts about the exiting system were compiled. Such facts include exact inputs to

the system such as transaction number, customers’ name, address, phone number, e-

mail address, customers’ account name, account number, address, account deposit,

etc.

The data gathered from the system were analysed in order to have more insight to the

problems of the existing system of information management of Mainstreet Bank Plc,

Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria.

3.2 MANAGEMENT REPORT

3.2.1 RESEARCH FINDINGS

From the analysis carried out, the following were identified:

19
 i.) Presently, at Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi, information as related to

customers transactions are management using a Management Information

Software (Banking software). That is, various bank transaction with the

customers is keyed into the system and the system does the processing of

the customers requests automatically.

ii.) Apart from the software used to managed customers transactions requests,

the bank also has an automatic teller machine (ATM) stationed in the bank

premises which can also process customers withdrawals requests and

account balance/statement enquiries.

3.2.2 PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF INFORMATION

MANAGEMENT OF MAINSTREET BANK PLC, AUCHI, EDO STATE

There are problems and limitations associated with the current system of information

management as being carried out by the bank. Such problems include the following:

i. Banks customers have to come to the bank and make their transaction request

before such requests are processed.

ii. Sometimes, inspite of the banking software used in processing such customers

transactions requests, the bank is overcrowded with customers waiting for

their request to be met and as such leading to long queues and delay in the

entire process.

3.2.3 THE NEED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM

In view of the problems identified in the existing system of information management

being carried out by the Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi, Edo State and the need for

20
improvement in the process of information management activities and the means of

achieving its efficiency, effectiveness, reliability and success promising future

through computer intervention cannot be undermined.

The introduction of a web-based management information system or an Internet

banking system identifies a particular set of technological solutions for the

development and the distribution of financial services, which rely upon the open

architecture of the Internet. With the implementation of a web-based management

information system for the bank used as a case study, the bank can maintain a direct

relationship with its customers the web. With the introduction of a web-based

management information system, the bank can offer additional customised services.

3.4 OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM (WEB-BASED

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM)

The proposed system is a web-based management information system. The system

when used according to specification, the following will be achieved:

i. Create a banking system that is easily accessible by customers from the

comfort of their homes, offices, etc;

ii. Provide facilities for customers to make deposits, withdrawals and view their

account balances from the comfort of their homes, offices, etc.

iii. Promote efficient and effective banking for the banks by focusing on those

services that still require physical presence at the banking hall.

iv. Reduce the flow of human traffic and long queues at banks;

v. Reduce the time wasted in going to banks to stay on queues.

21
Below is the proposed system architecture:

WEB-BASED BANK MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

NEW CUSTOMER ACCOUNT ABOUT THE BANK

REGISTRATION
WITHDRAWAL

CUSTOMER ONLINE BANKING ACCOUNT DEPOSIT ACCOUNT BALANCE

REGISTRATION ENQUIRIES

FIGURE 3.1: MAINSTREET BANK PLC - WEB-BASED MANAGEMENT

INFORMATION SYSTEM

3.5 SYSTEM DESIGN

System design stage of software development life cycle is the stage where the

proposed system requirements with respect to its input design requirement, process

design requirement and output design requirements are specified.

These design requirements are specified in line with the user requirements, goals and

objectives.

With respect to our proposed system, the system specifications with respect to the

input, process and output requirements are specified in the next sub-section.

22
3.5.1 INPUT REQUIREMENTS

This consists of the designing of the input to be used by the web-based system. The

system/website is an interactive one and the input is to be accepted to the system via

the screen and keyboard.

In the web-based management information system, there are several screens designed

for input data. There are screens designed for populating the system with the available

customers’ records and customers’ transactions.

The input data to the system are given below:

 Surname

 First name

 Middle name

 Address

 Phone

 E-mail

 Sex

 Marital status

 Occupation

 Department

 Religion

 Next of Kin

 Next of Kin Relationship

 Next of Kin Address

 Next of Kin Phone Number

 Passport

 Account Name

23
  Account Number

 Initial Deposit

A screen shot of the input screen design is shown below is shown in Appendix C

(Sample Input Screen Design, Input and Output Data).

3.5.2 PROCESS REQUIREMENTS

Processes to be carried out by the web-based information management system are

submission of new customers records to the system database, customers online

application for Internet banking, processing of customers’ deposit and withdrawals

requests and processing of customers’ account balance enquiries requests.

3.5.3 OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS

This is the description of how the report to be generated by the web-based

management information system should look like.

The web-based system will generate the following reports:

i.) CONFIRMATION REPORT - This report shows an affirmation that a

transaction process such as customer account deposit or withdrawal is

successful. Usually, the system displays the balance amount in the account

being processed after the transaction.

ii.) CUSTOMER ACCOUNT BALANCE - This report shows the balance

amount in a customers’ account.

iii.) ABOUT THE BANK - This information shows products and services

offered by the bank.

Sample outputs are attached in appendix A.

24
 CHAPTER FOUR

PROGRAMMING AND DOCUMENTATION

4.1 CHOICE OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

As earlier stated, the choice of programming language of implementation of the web-

based management information system is HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and

Visual Basic 6.0.

HTML will be used for designing the front and web pages, while Visual BASIC will

be used for designing the working programs such as the customers registration,

customers’ bank deposit/withdrawal and account balance enquiries programs.

Microsoft access package will be used as the database to store the records.

4.2 PROGRAM SPECIFICATION

The modular approach was adopted in the design of the software. That is the system

comprises of several modules coming together to form the coherent web-based

management information system.

The processing functions of the web-based system have been broken down into

several major tasks for simplicity. Each of these tasks that remain relatively complex

is further decomposed into sub-tasks. The source program listing is attached in

Appendix B.

4.3 PROGRAM FLOWCHART

Flowcharts are diagrammatic representation of an algorithm. It shows the flow of the

program logic. Flowcharts drawing or writing are important stage in software program

development in that it gives a vivid description of what the program is doing to the

25
programmer and the novice programmer. The program flowcharts for the online

system designed is specified below:

PROGRAM FLOWCHART TO ADD NEW USER

START

ENTER USER ID AND PASSSWORD

VERIFY USER ID AND PASSWORD

DISPLAY MESSAGE
N “INVALID USER
IF OK?
NAME AND
PASSWORD”
Y

ENTER USER ID

ENTER PASSWORD

ENTER LEVEL

ADD USER

STOP

26
PROGRAM FLOWCHART TO DELETE USER

START

ENTER USER ID AND PASSSWORD

VERIFY USER ID AND PASSWORD

DISPLAY MESSAGE
N “INVALID USER
IF OK?
NAME AND
PASSWORD”
Y

SELECT USER RECORD

DELETE USER

STOP

27
PROGRAM FLOWCHART TO REGISTER CUSTOMERS

START

ENTER USER ID AND PASSSWORD

VERIFY USER ID AND PASSWORD

DISPLAY MESSAGE
N “INVALID USER
IF OK?
NAME AND
PASSWORD”
Y

ENTER CUSTOMER BIO

DATA Y

ENTER NEXT OF KIN

RELATIONSHIP

ENTER ACCOUNT
NAME

ENTER INITIAL DEPOSIT

PROCESS ACCOUNT NUMBER

SUBMIT CUSTOMER RECORD

STOP

28
PROGRAM FLOWCHART FOR CUSTOMER ACCOUNT DEPOSIT

START

ENTER CUSTOMER ID AND PASSSWORD

VERIFY CUSTOMER ID AND

PASSWORD

DISPLAY MESSAGE
N “INVALID USER
IF OK?
NAME AND
PASSWORD”
Y

DISPLAY ACCOUNT
BALANCE

ENTER AMOUNT TO
DEPOSIT

PROCESS AND UPDATE ACCOUNT

BALANCE

STOP

29
PROGRAM FLOWCHART FOR CUSTOMER ACCOUNT WITHDRAWAL

START

ENTER CUSTOMER ID AND PASSSWORD

VERIFY CUSTOMER ID AND

PASSWORD

DISPLAY MESSAGE
N “INVALID USER
IF OK?
NAME AND
PASSWORD”
Y

DISPLAY ACCOUNT
BALANCE

ENTER AMOUNT TO
WITHDRAW

PROCESS AND UPDATE ACCOUNT

BALANCE

STOP

30
 PROGRAM FLOWCHART TO DISPLAY CUSTOMER ACCOUNT BALANCE

START

ENTER CUSTOMER ID AND PASSSWORD

VERIFY CUSTOMER ID AND

PASSWORD

DISPLAY MESSAGE
N “INVALID USER
IF OK?
NAME AND
PASSWORD”
Y

DISPLAY ACCOUNT
BALANCE

STOP

4.4 SAMPLE INPUT/OUTPUT PAGES

The sample input data to the system and their corresponding sample output from the

system is attached in Appendix A of this report.

4.5 SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

Systems implementation is usually required to put a developed system into its

operational phase. This plan usually contains details about staff training requirement,

manpower requirement, changeover technique, systems testing, system maintenance

and review and physical data security methods to be employed.

31
STAFF TRAINING AND MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS

It is important that the Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi Information Technology Officers

or staffs in charge of the management information system (MIS) Unit should be given

some basic operational technicalities about the web-based system. The staff should be

trained or given orientation on the objectives of a web-based system. They should be

made to understand that the essence of the web-based system is to ease their job

functions and increase the efficiency of the staff in the delivery of their services.

SYSTEMS TESTING

During implementation, live data is used to test run the system to verify its

correctness, reliability, performance and robustness.

CHANGEOVER PROCEDURE

When the system has been fully accepted by the bank, the kind of changeover

technique we recommend is the parallel changeover procedure.

Parallel changeover techniques involve running the organizations’ old system usually

and new system concurrently, with the same inputs, outputs from both systems will be

compared for accuracy and correctness.

Outputs from the old system will still be distributed until the new system has proved

satisfactory and after the satisfaction, the old system will be dropped completely.

The major reason for choosing this method is that the average human being is

resistant to change, and it might take some time for the Information Technology

personnel or officers in charge of the MIS unit to become comfortable using the new

system

32
SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE AND REVIEW

As soon as the new system becomes operational, the cost, benefits will be compared

to know whether it has met its objectives.

The system will also need to be reviewed and maintained periodically in order to

confirm that the planned objectives are being met and to take proper action if

otherwise. Maintenance is mandatory to ensure that the system is able to adapt to any

changing requirement of the bank.

4.6 SOFTWARE DOCUMENTATION

The purpose of system documentation is to show the logical flow of information and

the logical operation necessary to carry out the particular design alternative chosen.

STARTING UP THE SYSTEM

The web-based system is designed, developed and stored in a CD-ROM Drive. To

install the software, the user should follow the steps below:

i.) Slot in the CD containing the software in the CD-ROM Drive.

ii.) Right click on My Computer icon on the Windows Desktop

i.) Click on Explore from the pop up menu

ii.) Right click on the CD-ROM Drive

iii.) Click on Explore from the pop-up menu

iv.) Copy the folder named Banksite into drive c:

EXECUTION PROCEDURE

To launch the web-based system, the user should follow the steps below:

i.) Double click on My Computer Icon on the windows desktop.

33
ii.) Double click on drive C:

iii.) Double click on Banksite folder

iv.) Double click on the page named Index

This will load the front page of the web-based system to the Internet web browser.

The online system is content-driven and user friendly. If the user should click on

any of the menu options, the system will respond by displaying the corresponding

web page linked to the content option clicked.

34
 CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 SUMMARY OF THE STUDY

In this project, we have been able to give a proper description and implementation of

web-based management information system with respect to the banking sector or

environment by automating and making web-based transaction and information

processing and management of Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi, Edo State.

We were made to understand that there are problems and limitations with the current

system of information management as being carried out by Mainstreet Bank Plc and

such problems are convenience and long queues (delay) issues on the part of the

customers and these has resulted to inefficiency in the process of satisfying their

customers’ transaction requests.

In order to correct these problems, this study, proposed the introduction of a web-

based management information system for the bank.

The study also design, develop the web-based system using web technologies such as

HYML and Visual BASIC programming language. A description of the system design

requirements as well as its implementation requirements was provided.

The online system when accepted and put into use by the bank will go a long way to

improve the efficiency of the bank.

5.2 CONCLUSION

This project had so presented a platform for the practical design and development of a

web-based management information system for managing customers transactions

information of Mainstreet Bank Plc, Auchi, Edo State.

35
The web-based system designed will offer more advantages compared to the

computerised system currently used, especially in the aspect of prompt processing of

customers’ transactions requests.

However, potential disadvantages may exist as well including the potential for flaws

or weakness in any web-based system. Other controversies are the fact that humans

are not equipped for verifying operations occurring within an electronic machine and

that because people cannot verify these operations, the operations cannot be trusted.

Furthermore, some computing experts have argued for the broader notion that people

cannot trust any programming they did not author. Despite the several critics, the

advantages this web-based system tends to provide far outweighs its disadvantages

and should adopted by any bank in Nigeria,

5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS

i.) The software designed in this project work is met to cater for the

management of customers’ transactions information of Mainstreet Bank

Plc. Though design for the aforementioned bank, other commercial banks

in Nigeria can as well adopt its usage since it is a prototype system. Its

functions can as well be customized to suit their requirements.

ii.) Also, the website designed is not hosted due to time and cost constrains.

We want to recommend that future research work in this direction can take

this work into greater height by hosting or publishing the site.

iii.) Finally, we want to recommend that the bank in implementing the web-

based system should adopt the parallel change over technique due to the

fact that it will give the management an opportunity to compare results

from the manual process and that of the online system.

36
REFERENCES

Amedu, U. M. (2005). “Domestic electronic payment in Nigeria: The Challenges”,

Central Bank of Nigeria Bullion, vol. 29, No. 1, January/March.

Brian, M. (1999). “The Hill Pandaram of Kerala.” In The Cambridge Encyclopedia of

Hunters and Gatherers, edited by Richard B. Lee and Richard Daly,

265-268. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Central Bank of Nigeria (2003), Report of the Technical Committee on Electronic

Banking, February.

Ovia, J. (2001). “Internet Banking: practices and potentials in Nigeria”, A paper

presented at a seminar organised by the Institute of Chartered

Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Lagos Sheraton Hotel & Towers,

Ikeja. September 05.

Pant, S., Hsu, C., (1995). “Strategic Information Systems Planning: A Review”,

Information Resources Management Association International

Conference, May 21–24, Atlanta.

Soludo, C. (2005). “Guidelines on Electronic Banking in Nigeria”, CBN Annual

Bulletin. August.

Williams F. J. (1977). Elementary Business Statistics. Prentices Hall Inc., USA.

37
HOME PAGE

ADD NEW USER INPUT SCREEN DESIGN

38
SAMPLE INPUT DATA FOR CUSTOMER REGISTERED

39
CONFIRMATION REPORT FOR ACCOUNT NUMBER PROCESSED FOR

CUSTOMER REGISTERED

40
SAMPLE SCREEN DESIGN AND INPUT DATA FOR CUSTOMER LOGIN

SESSION

SAMPLE INPUT AND OUTPUT DATA FOR CUSTOMER ACCOUNT

DEPOSIT

41
SAMPLE INPUT AND OUTPUT DATA FOR CUSTOMER ACCOUNT

WITHDRAWAL

SAMPLE OUTPUT DATA FOR CUSTOMER ACCOUNT BALANCE

42