ICT Class Eighth Meeting

Batch Processing Applications, Automatic Stock Control and Online Booking Systems

A. BATCH PROCESSING APPLICATIONS

1. Payroll

• Payroll systems are used to calculate wages and print out pay slips.
• The inputs are: 
• employee details from file
• number of hours worked
• overtime working
• holidays
• The processing done is calculation of: 
• gross pay
• any deductions
• net pay
• The outputs are: 
• printed pay slips
• updating of the employee file
• transfer to Bankers Automated Clearing Service (BACS) if wages paid into a bank account
• The stages of batch processing is shown below:

2. Billing Systems

• Billing systems can be used for electricity bills. 
• The inputs are:
• customer details (address)
• charge per kW (unit) of power
• previous readings
• new readings taken from the electricity meter
• bank account details (if using direct debit)
• The processing done is the calculation of: 
• number of units of electricity used (i.e. new reading minus old reading)
• customer’s cost (i.e. units used times charge per unit)
• monthly payments made (if using direct debit)
• outstanding amount owed or carried over to next bill
• The outputs are: 
• bill showing all the details
• updating of customer file
• production of request for payment if not done through direct debit

B. AUTOMATIC STOCK CONTROL

1. Automatic stock control systems rely on the use of barcodes.A number underneath the barcode usually consists of four parts: country code, manufacturer’s code, product code and a check digit. The check digit is a form of validation which is used to make sure no errors occurred during the reading of the barcode.

2. The check digit can be calculated in various ways. This in one of the examples.

3. Barcodes can be used for: 

• library book systems
• administration systems
• passport and ID card systems
• some burglar alarm systems

C. ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEMS

1. Booking systems are used for transport (flights, trains and buses), cinemas and theatres.

2. Once the customer booked the seat, the seat will no longer be available. Thus, nobody can book that seat again. This system must be done quickly and immediately to prevent double booking. 

3. An e ticket will be printed after the customer has done both the booking and the payment. 

4. This system is now widely used in many cinemas and theatres.