1.1 Introduction
Computerized salon booking system refers to a digital platform that automates the appointment scheduling process for salon services. It allows clients to book, modify, or cancel appointments online, streamlining the entire scheduling process (Carter et al., 2019). In an industry characterized by high competition and rapidly changing consumer preferences, traditional appointment scheduling methods often fall short in meeting customer expectations and optimizing resource utilization. Consequently, the adoption of computerized systems has emerged as a critical strategy for salons seeking to streamline their operations and provide superior service delivery. The importance of data management in salon operations cannot be understated. Computerized booking systems allow for the collection and analysis of customer data, providing insights into client preferences and behaviors.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The 21st century is said to be century of inventions, century of development, century of globalization because no one can end up the day without using any kind of embedded system products. It makes human life very smarter and to feel comfortable. Being a salon client today is inconvenient. The customer have to remember that the customer need to make an appointment, then hope he or she remember during business hours, and finally scramble to find the phone number and take time out of his or her busy day to make the call. And never mind finding user reviews of local salons, tracking those down somewhere on the web is a headache that most don’t even attempt. According to Gupta and Sharma (2020), salons that leverage customer data to inform their service delivery can increase customer loyalty and retention rates, as personalized services resonate more with clients.
Research by Jain and Singh (2020) emphasizes that the integration of online booking platforms significantly enhances customer satisfaction by reducing the time and effort required to manage appointments. Clients can access the booking system from their devices, ensuring that they have the freedom to make arrangements according to their schedules (Research by Jain and Singh, 2020). This is the experience of countless salon-visitors every day. As traditional methods of hair salon are inefficient, therefore proposed system is known as “smart hair Salon Booking Reservation System” is considered here. The proposed system is based on embedded system. In this system, first the customer messages or call to the salon then worker at the salon accepts this message or call. Worker first calculates how many customers are waiting as well as predefined time for particular activity to give reply of that message. When the customer comes in particular given time, worker give service to it according to their demand. Similarly, the process is continues and queue is formed based on the functions.
The traditional system of hair salon was manual and insecure because there was no any counting system of customers coming in the salon which creates sometimes major issues. The customer as well as the owner faces the problems (Yonan, 2009). These early systems are dependent on paper- pencil systems for billing purpose that means the records of bills of customer and the workers working in their salon are in written form. The records may get wrong due to anyone’s mistake. There is difficulty in maintaining records of all these tasks manually. Hence, proposed system is the best solution of avoiding all these problems. Salon manager are often responsible scheduling staff members, training new front desk workers (Nevonprojects, 2021). Since salon is a service sector, so the success of hair salon depends on the satisfaction of customer. The business of salon is totally dependent on customer satisfaction.
1.3 Statement of Problem
The problem which is being faced with the ongoing salon management process is that it requires quite a lot of manual and paperwork. People wait a lot in queue for his/her turn but our website is probably based on reducing that problem, as the students/peoples will be able to directly made an appointment in their favorite salon and manage their appointment according to their convenient.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to Design and Implement a Computerized Salon Booking Reservation System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to design and develop an application software that will:
- Convert the manual process of salon management into an online platform with mobile app support.
- Hassle free accounting and inventory management system for salon.
- Provide a user-friendly environment for the management of salon and its customers.
- Provide and generate timely and accurate reports.
- Provide a better searching facility for the management and customers.
- Organize and secure the records in proper implementation and design of the database.
1.5 Significance of Study
The relevance of the proposed research work will be beneficial to the following;
- Management of the salon: with the implementation of this platform, it is believed that it will enhance the business process of salon, it will also somehow a way to promote its business in digital world.
- Employees of salon: employees of the salon can also be the beneficiary of this study because with the use of this system they will no longer record the transactions manually and rest assured that the records will be safe and accurate.
- Customers and clients: news, promos, updates and setting of appointment is one click away. The project will also be available in mobile devices which mean that the implementation it is very convenient on the part of the customers.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Design and Implementation of a Computerized Salon Booking Reservation System. It is limited towards the hassle free appointment scheduling, automated computation of billing and reports generation and Inventory Tracking and Management
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
In the context of a computerized salon booking reservation system, several key terms are essential to understanding the functionality and implications of the system. Defining these terms clarifies the framework within which the system operates and highlights its importance in the salon industry.
Computerized Booking System:
It refers to a digital platform that automates the appointment scheduling process for service-oriented businesses, such as salons. It allows clients to book, modify, or cancel appointments online, streamlining the entire scheduling process (Carter et al., 2019). This system reduces administrative burdens on staff and minimizes the likelihood of scheduling conflicts.
Reservation Management:
It involves overseeing the appointment scheduling process to ensure that all client bookings are accurately recorded and managed. This includes handling appointments, cancellations, and modifications effectively, which is critical for maintaining customer satisfaction and operational efficiency (Gupta & Sharma, 2020).
User Interface (UI):
It is the means by which a user interacts with the booking system. A well-designed UI ensures that clients can navigate the platform easily, allowing them to schedule appointments with minimal effort. The importance of an intuitive UI cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts user experience and satisfaction (Jain & Singh, 2020).
Client Database:
It refers to the collection of information stored within the booking system regarding clients. This data may include personal details, appointment history, and preferences. A robust client database enables salons to personalize services and improve customer relations by tailoring experiences based on individual client needs (Ahmed & Khan, 2020).
Appointment Reminders:
They are automated notifications sent to clients to remind them of their upcoming appointments. These reminders can be delivered via email, SMS, or in-app notifications, significantly reducing the number of missed appointments and enhancing overall client attendance (Jones et al., 2021).
User Authentication:
It is the process of verifying the identity of users accessing the booking system. This is crucial for ensuring that client information is secure and only accessible to authorized personnel. Robust user authentication mechanisms protect sensitive client data and maintain trust between the salon and its customers (Patel & Verma, 2021).
Data Analytics:
In the context of a salon booking system refers to the systematic computational analysis of client data to derive insights about customer behaviors and preferences. By utilizing data analytics, salon owners can make informed decisions regarding marketing strategies, service offerings, and operational improvements (Thomas & Adams, 2022).
