Software Implementation of a Product Expiry Alert Management System

1.1 Introduction

Products are considered as the business resources for the organization. This includes managing the product with appropriate way to review any time as per the requirement. Therefore, it is important to have a web-based Product Expiration System which has the ability to generate reports, report products expiry dates, maintain the balance of the stock, details about the purchase and sales in the organization, which helps to minimize loses to the business or negative health hazards to consumers. These web applications can be used by large or small business organization for the management of their stock in the production houses. After analyzing the other Product Expiration systems, we decided to include some of common and key features that should be included in every Product Expiration system. The Product Expiration System is a complete web-based application designed with HTML, CSS and PHP technology. The main aim of the project is to develop Product Expiration System Model software in which all the information regarding the stock of the organization will be presented. It is an internet based application which has admin component to manage the inventory and maintenance of the inventory system. This application is based on the management of stock of an organization. The application contains general organization profile, sales details, Purchase details and expiration dates presented in the organization. There is a provision of updating the inventory also.

1.2 Statement of the Problems

Health hazards to consumers and huge loss to businesses have been the major challenges posed by expired products. Manually taking stock of products by small scale/medium scale business owners are still prone to human errors. When consumers are exposed to expired products, they may have various health challenges ranging from stomach upsets to food poisoning (which may result to death).

Apart from law suits the shop owner may face, he/she will be losing money if the products in the store expires without his/her notice.

These challenges are the main reasons the researcher sought to develop a computerized system that notifies shop owners and managers of impending products that are about to expire. This system is significant in the sense that it will curb loses and prevent health hazards to consumers.

1.3 Aim and Objective of the Study

The aim of the study is to design and implement a Product Expiry Alert Management System. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were set out;

1. To develop the easy management of the inventory.
2. To handle the inventory details like purchase details, manufacturer details and expiration dates of Products.
3. To maintain a record of batches of product brought to the store.
4. To keep a record of product brought to the store.
5. To detect about to expire and expired products in the store.
6. To calculate the loss on expired products.

1.4 Significance of the Study

To develop a web Product Expiration system to assist business owners take stock and regulate product expiring dates, solves the tedious work and activities in calculating and taking stocks of large product for large business owners in which they end up missing expiry dates, mis-calculating and discarding some important figures, with this Inventory system, business owners can now take stock, check product expiration dates, calculate their products left with just a click.

The system can aid Shop owners and managers make prompt and informed decisions of products that are about to expire. Clearance sales, Immediate Consumption of Products, Gifting of Product etc. could be good measures that can be taken to minimize loss to the business or prevent health hazards to consumers.

1.5 Scope of the Study

The study will focus primarily on Shoprite Mall Enugu. Product Expiration System is targeted to the small or medium organization which doesn't have proper records of their products, also for those organizations that deals with products that expire, a proper system to keep track of product expiration is important.

1.6 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. 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.
2. 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.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Inventory: A complete list of items such as property, goods in stock, or the contents of a building/ warehouse.

Stock: The goods or merchandise kept on the premises of a shop or warehouse and available for sale or distribution.

Product: An article or substance that or is manufactured refined for sale.

Expiring date: Date of shelf life of a product. Might still be safe, but quality is no longer guaranteed.

Web application: A web application is a computer application program that utilizes web browsers and web technology to perform takes over the internet.