Software Implementation of a Software Package for Billing Systems of Electricity Industry

PRELIMINARY PAGES

• Title page
• Approval page
• Dedication
• Acknowledgement
• Table of Contents
• Abstract

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• 1.1 Background …
• …

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• 2.1 Introduction
• …

CHAPTER THREE

SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND DESIGN

• 3.1 Methodology Adopted
• 3.1.1 Problem Identification Using SSADM
• 3.2 Analysis of the Existing System
• 3.2.1 Dataflow of the Existing System
• 3.2.2 Disadvantages Of The Existing System
• 3.2.3 Weakness of the existing System
• 3.3 Feasibility Study
• 3.3.1 Economic Feasibility
• 3.3.2 Technical Feasibility
• 3.3.3 Operational Feasibility
• 3.4 Analysis of the Proposed System
• 3.4.1 Data Flow Diagram of the Proposed System
• 3.4.2 Advantages of the Proposed System
• 3.4.3 Justification of the Proposed System
• 3.5 Functional Requirements
• 3.5.1 Use Case Diagram Of The Admin / User Privileges
• 3.6 Data Requirements
• 3.7 High Level Model of the Proposed System

CHAPTER FOUR

SYSTEM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION

• 4.1 Objectives of the Design
• 4.2 Cohesion and Decomposition High level Model
• 4.3 Control Center / Overall Dataflow Diagram
• 4.3.1 Proposed System Operation Flowchart
• 4.4 System Specification and Design
• 4.4.1 Input and Output Specification
• 4.4.2 Database Specification and Design
• 4.4.3 Data Dictionary
• 4.5 Choice and Justification of Programming Language
• 4.6 Program Documentation
• 4.7 Implementation Techniques
• 4.8 Programming Module Specification
• 4.8.1 Installation
• 4.9 Computer Hardware Minimum Requirement
• 4.10 Software Requirement
• 4.11 Personnel / User Training
• 4.12 File Maintenance Module

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Summary
• 5.3 Conclusion
• 5.4 Recommendation

References

Appendix A - Source Code

Appendix B - Object Program

Introduction

1.1 Background Of Study

The Automated Meter Reading (AMR) was started in 1962 by AT&T, but this experiment was not successful. The modern era of AMR started in 1985; since then different techniques have been utilized to get better reliability and performance [9]. Therefore currently in developed countries, many successful AMR systems are being used to facilitate the consumers of electricity, water, or gas. However in Nigeria, service provider companies (e.g. WAPDA, SNGPL, WASA, etc) are still using analogue meters and manual billing systems. Such type of billing method is being used both for domestic consumers as well as for industrial consumers. Basically using this system the bill is calculated in three steps. Firstly meter readers (human being) go home to home to manually record the meter reading. Secondly all readings are sent to regional billing office where data entry operator, enters the meter readings in a computer to calculate the bills. Thirdly at the end, the bills (in paper form) are sent home to home (to electricity consumers).

The above stated process is manual and prone to defects and ultimately the consumers mentally and financially suffer in such billing system. Therefore to replace the manual and traditional billing techniques in Nigeria, we designed and implemented a cost effective, but still reliable, billing automation system for electricity provider companies. As already discussed that analogue meters are already being used in Nigeria therefore in our system we modified an analogue meter and converted it into a digital gas meter. In this way the electricity provider companies would not have to completely replace their existing setup facilities and they would be able to replace their existing billing methods with our automated system.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

The Nigerian power sector faces a serious problem of lean revenue collection for the actual electric energy supplied owing to energy thefts and network losses. One of the prime reasons is the traditional billing system which is inaccurate, slow, costly, and lack in flexibility as well as reliability. The present practice of electricity billing is manual method only. With this, the total billing is a time consuming process and it requires more manpower. The collection of billing is late procedure and so many consumers may not pay in time. Disconnecting of unpaid connections is also manual. Due to all these drawbacks we cannot have proper auditing. To overcome these drawbacks, we are implementing this project. If this system comes in our day-to-day life, it will be useful for both the Government and the public.

1.3 Aim And Objectives Of The Study

The aim of this project research work is to design and develop a software package for billing systems of electricity industry.

The objectives of the study include the following;

1. To elaborate the concept of automated electricity billing system.
2. To design and implement a software that depicts an billing system
3. To examine the modules of billing system
4. To point out the impact of billing system on revenue collection

1.4 Significant Of The Study

This research would be considered worthless if it has no significance to mankind. The following significance can be derives from this research;

1. It will make other related organization to see the need of designing and implementing a billing system.
2. It will assist in displaying the proper, reliable and effective medium used in managing an electricity bills.
3. Finally, the research work will serve as a good reference material to other student interested in researching further on the research topic in future.

1.5 Scope Of The Study

The research work is focused on Electricity Billing System (EBS), with electricity industry serving as a case study. Its scope covers only the important module of EBS, data collection, analysis, storage and retrieval of information. It does not extend to other areas such as electricity malfunction.

1.6 Organization Of The Research

The research work is arranged in the following chapters;

Chapter 1:

The introductory chapter, which focused on the preliminaries theory.

Chapter 2:

The overview of the research work.

Chapter 3:

The system design and methodology.

Chapter 4:

The system implementation and documentation.

Chapter 5:

Finally, summary of the research work.

1.7 Definition Of Terms

In order to do away with ambiguity and enhance understanding, some keywords are hereby defined;

Billing:

The process of sending someone a document asking them to pay for goods or services that they have received or used.

System:

A collection of elements or components that are organized for a common purpose.

Module:

A separate unit of software

Software Package:

That includes the software itself, as well as files that are used only during the installation process. In a Windows environment it is sometimes called an installation package or update package. Multiple software programs that work together (or performs similar functions) and is bundled and sold together as a software package.

Account Details - For USSD / POS Transfer

Account Name: Sparklyn Services Account No: 1222599051 Account Type: Current Bank Name: Zenith Bank PLC

Proposal Writing Format under Computer Science

Design and Implementation of a Software Package for Billing Systems of Electricity Industry is a proposal topic for final year research work, which comprises the major and elective project proposal writing sections for Design and Implementation of a Software Package for Billing Systems of Electricity Industry research work.

Major Sections

• Motivation for Embarking on the Project

• Brief Background of Study

• Statement of Problems

• Aim of the Study

• Specific Objectives of the Study

• Significance of the Study (Who benefits from the project and how?)

Elective Sections

• Methodology and Reason for Using It (such as; models, SSADM, or OOADM)

• Tools (programming languages and software used)