ABDU GUSAU POLYTECHNIC TALATA MAFARA

ZAMFARA STATE
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY.

COMPILED
BY

BUCKY KEHINDE 1707231023

AND
NAFISAT ISAH 1707231024

TOPIC

AUTOMATED BILLING SYSTEM FOR

BOUTIQUE OPERATIONS
(A CASE STUDY OF PINK BOUTIQUE IN IBADAN)

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF DR. SAMAILA MUSA

OCTOBER, 2019.

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INTRODUCTION
Since the invention of information and communication technology (ICT) devices
brought problems mankind has been trying to reduce if not eliminate. These problems
exist in various sectors of human endeavor. These sectors include health, aviation and
academic sectors. These limit proper accountability, improvement of facilities and proper
planning. Moreover, the manual process is time consuming and cumbersome.
The term “system” means a combination of related parts organize into a complex whole.
It is also scheme of idea or principle in which something is organized. It has two important
meaning in almost any discussion of system. Firstly, is the motion of system as an entity
or thing which has a particular part? Secondly, is the motion of system as plan, method,
device or procedure for accomplishing specific task, it is also simply a rationed and logical
approach for accomplishing a specific purpose. The information processing system has
a functional sub-system such as the hardware and software system, operating system
and database system. It also has application and subsystems such as order entry, billing,
payroll and personnel. Financial information system Refers as set of procedures, process,
facilities and methods designed to provide financial information required by management
for effective and efficient operation of the organization. This information required involves
the collection, analysis and reporting of past and present and project information outside
the system. It is important to note that good billing system will help the financial controller
to plan, direct, control, organize and understand the effectiveness as well as departmental
objectives, [Anwuo, A. C. ( 1997)].
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The manual method of sales and record is a very boring and stressful error prone mode
of operation; this is because humans are highly inefficient. As time grows, the productivity
decreases and as such is error prone in his or her various operations, it could cause the
boutique to start folding up. The problems of boutique operation are stated below.
1. TIME CONSUMING: The time consumed using manual method of billing is quite
long, imagine how customers, the shop keepers will attend to per day, and the
number of time he/she opens the shop stock book per day.
2. INEFFICIENCY: For the fact that human beings are prone to mistakes, there
may be inefficiently in recording of data and writing of receipts to the customers

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 and it will be too stressful to the shop keepers because it is prone to high labour
density. Unlike the use of computers which makes the transaction very easy and
fast.
3. INACCURACY: It is natural for human being to always make mistakes in
whatever they do. Therefore the result of their transaction (i.e. calculations for the
goods brought, counting of goods available, calculating for sold goods and
calculating for daily sales routine) might not be accurate and inaccuracy may
negatively affect the boutique management, causing the downfall of the firm
4. INSECURITY: The manual method of boutique system is not a well secured
system, because receipt can either get lost or be destroyed by water, fire and at
times rough handling which will limit making references to such receipt, stock
books could also get destroyed at any time because they are not properly kept.
Unlike when it is computerized.

CHARACTERISTIC OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM

1. Easiness in modification of data: The proposed system provides managing of huge
data effectively and efficiently for efficient results, storing the details of the customers,
employees etc. in such a way that the database can be modified.
2. User friendly: The proposed system is user friendly because the retrieval and storing
of data is fast and data is maintained efficiently. Moreover the graphical user interface is
provided in the proposed system, which provides user to deal with the system very easily.
3. Reports are easily generated: Reports can be easily generated in a proposed system.
So any type of reports can be generated in a proposed system, which helps the managers
in a decisions-making activity.
4. No or very few paperwork: The proposed system either does not require paper work
or very few paper works is required. All the data is feted into the computer immediately
and various bills and reports can be generated through computers. Since all the data is
kept in a database no data of the organization can be destroyed. Moreover work becomes
very easy because there is no need to keep data on papers.

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5. Support strategic competitive advantage: Proposed system supports strategic
competitive advantages. Since the proposed systems provide easiness in reports
generating it will provide strategic advantages among competitors.
6. Computer operator control: Computer operator control will be there no errors.
Moreover storing and retrieving of information is easy. So work can be done speedily and
in time.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:
The aim of this study is to develop a billing system for a boutique. which is capable
of keeping tracks and records on customers report of performance hence, increasing
efficiency of the system which will provide adequate security measure to restrict
unauthorized persons from interfering the record and billings.
The project is designed to look into some problems in the current system of operation in
the boutique and objectives of this project are highlighted below;

(a) Complete listings of the products and their information on the cart display.
(b) Automatic billing and when the products are dropped in the cart.
(c) Update inventory in the central system upon each purchase of a product.
(d) Product finding system.
(e) Eliminating the queue system in billing.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of computerization will be fully understood within the scope of this project
because it covers the automation of a boutique billing system, keeping boutique record
and information with the stock brought and sold in the boutique and also in the security
of the boutique operation. It will open the reality of the amount of stress involved in the
manual operation of a boutique system and as a stock keeper; the center inefficiently and
potential ones will also come to limelight.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of this study is basically on keeping of boutique information; record stock
brought and sold in the boutique operation. Someone would elaborate on the
implementation and the management of the new system which would be the

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computerized one. it will focus on positive impact of computers in sales and stock control
to maximize profit.
LIMITATIONS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM
i. Limited data which lead to the non-cumulating of the birth and death registration
that are supposed to be carried in this research work.
ii. Processing Speed: Processing speed of the software is not so much good to
operate fast.
iii. Flexible: Existing system is not so much flexible that can be changed according
to the operators & customers.
iv. Workload: Sometimes the system hangs when workload is more.
v. Error Free: Sometimes the system gives error in the calculation in making the
bill & in the information of the products due to workload.
PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED

On developing this program, the problem encountered was getting vital information on
the boutique operation. This is done by asking the boutique management how the
boutique is being operated so as to gather relevant ideas in designing this project work.
I had to make sure that the existing system is properly analysed. However, it should
be said that despite all these, the boutique operation programming application has been
able to achieve its aims as a computerized way of processing boutique operation. Below
are some of the encountered problems:
• Getting a system to use outside the computer laboratory is quite difficult because not
all students have the money of getting a computer system and lab which seems to be our
major hope is always locked by those in charge.
• The unstable power supply which is one of the key problems we face in our country
today, also affect despite the fact that we have little time to struggle and meet up with
time of submission.
• Time constraint was another problem. The programming language and codes used
had to be learnt and understood first before it could actually venture into the project.
Despite all the problems encountered the project objectives were still met.
ADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED SYSTEM

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 To reduce the limitations of the existing system there is a need to develop a new
system. The new system should concern the requirements of the customers & the sellers.
It has following quality:
i. Error reduction.
ii. Automatic posting.
iii. Improve reporting.
iv. Automatic production of documents & reports.
v. Faster response time.
vi. Ability to meet user requirements.
vii.Flexibility.
viii. Reduced dependency.
ix. Improves resource users.
x. Reduction in use of paper.
xi. Reduction in use of man power.

LITERATURE REVIEW
There are many previous studies in the field of Internet billing system, below are some of
these studies and their result are referred to: J Crookes (1996), the term adopted for the
system is multiservice billing system (MSBS). The strategic business issues which have
shaped the design of MSBS. It describes the scale and complexity of the problem which
makes the construction of a multiservice platform such a difficult feat of software
engineering. The concept of a common product model, which underpins the system's
design, is introduced.
NN Murthy, et al.(2000), In their paper, the authors presented a brief description of the
technologies for e-commerce The authors also present TWINS (Twin Cities Information
Network Service) test-bed application being developed as part of this project. TWINS,
operational at twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad, facilitates payment of various
utility bill payment (like water, electricity, etc.) through a single window system. Payment
of water bills through Internet using E-Cheque (Electronic Cheque) will be operational
soon. This enables customers to pay their bills from anywhere, anytime. Thus, realizing
the benefits of e-commerce to the citizens.

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Yang Bo, Liu Dongsu and Wang Yumin (2001), In their paper, the authors improved
the e-payment system with a smart card proposed by S.Brands, and present an
anonymity-revoking e-payment system. On the one hand, the customer‘s privacy cannot
be compromised by the bank or by the payee. On the other hand, anonymity can be
removed by a TTP with the help of the bank. In this case, the third party can link a payment
to a corresponding withdrawal and prevent money laundering and blackmailing.
METHODOLOGY OF THE SYSTEM
1. All the items in the boutique will be equipped with (RADIO FREQUENCY
IDENTIFICATION) tags. When person puts an item in the trolley, its code will be detected
by (RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION) reader which is interfaced with processor.
2. Reader send this code to ARM processor, after matching code with codes stored
memory, processor reads item’s name, cost &other details. Then it displays on LCD. The
item details like name, cost & total bill of items inserted in trolley are displayed on LCD.
3. As we put the items, the costs will get added to total. Thus the billing is done at the
trolley itself. Simultaneously all details are displayed on LCD. LCD used is 16X2 character
alphanumeric type display. And also if we want to remove some inserted item then we
press the delete key and remove a particular item. That item’s cost gets subtracted from
total bill and item removal message is displayed on LCD.
4. LCD is interfaced with microcontroller in 4bit mode. It is used to indicate the customers
the action taken by customer that is inserting of an item, removal of item, item’s price and
total billing cost of items in the trolley.
5 At the billing Counter the total bill data will be transferred to PC by wireless ZigBee
transmitter interfaced with processor. It is 2.4 GHz RF module which works in free ISM
band so does not require licensing.
6. The ZigBee receiver is connected to billing RS3232 protocol, it receives billing data &
gives it to the PC for printing. This data contains all details of purchased items with total
bill of items.
7. The data send by ZigBee contains all details of the items purchased i.e. name of the
item, it’s price etc.
8. (RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION) tags we are going to use are 125 KHz
passive type tags. Transponder (tag) that is attached to the object. An (RADIO

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FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION) tag is composed of a miniscule microchip and antenna.
(RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION) tags can come in a wide variety of sizes,
shapes, and forms. Communication between the (RADIO FREQUENCY
IDENTIFICATION) Reader and tags occurs wirelessly and generally does not require a
line of sight between the devices. An (RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION) Reader
can read through most anything.
9. We are going to use ZigBee modules (transmitter & receiver) to transmit the billing
details from trolley unit to the billing PC at counter wirelessly when customer completes
putting the items in trolley and reaches at counter for billing. The person at counter clicks
the GET DATA option and hence data is transmitted from trolley to the PC using ZigBee.
SUMMARY
In conclusion the developed application was tested and was proved to be able to perform
the following operations;
• Plot trends and market and do market analysis.

• Show the stock on ground at any desired point in time.

• Calculate automatically the total amount of goods purchased.

• Provide instant response to customers request and issue the invoice without the
cashier undergoing much stress.
• Prints out invoice directly from the system.
• Provides an avenue for referencing the customers' previous purchase and restock
alert through the database.
• Subtract the already bought goods from the stock on ground.
RECOMMENDATION
Considering the aims and objectives of this project and the problems encountered with
boutique operation as regards to effective boutique operation automated programs, this
application is recommended for only boutique operations.
This is in order to achieve an effective and automated program. It will also provide
for an avenue to browse and search out old and efficient customer invoice through the
use of database and also enhance customers' response speed.

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 In the long run, this application may make the customers of the boutique to be very
reliable and hence the customers are encountered in turn as they encourage others. Also,
maintenance task should be taken very seriously because it will ensure proper run of the
system application on both preventive and corrective measures. If all this seems like a lot
of work, it is the computer, like any tool, requires learned skill in order to fulfil its purpose
properly. If you believe that your business needs a computer, plan the speed the time and
the money it takes to make its installation and operation of the system successful.
With knowledge of computer, you can purchase a personal computer and install
the software of your business. With the help of this project booklet you can develop your
business to computer based management planning and control expertise by taking
advantage of the speed and complex capabilities of a computer you can top the potential
for growth and profit in yourself and your business.
CONCLUSION
Computers have gone a long way on making all aspects of human life and
endeavours well, also the fact that it enhances a better customer services is not an
exception. The project work has gone a long way in providing a solution to an age-long
problem in Nigeria boutique operation. Apart from this it has been able to contribute to
the easy expansion of most boutique operation because their customers' capacity is
enhanced, hence, high profit and improved expansion.
In conclusion, technology is continually evolving personalized guidance on the sets
of current technology in choosing a system which will both meet your current needs and
grow with your business. Computerizing your business will be very helpful.

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