1.1 Introduction
An online cinema booking system refers to a digital platform that enables users to browse movie listings, check show-times, select seats, and purchase tickets via the internet or mobile applications. These systems streamline the process of reserving seats for movie screenings, offering convenience and flexibility to users. in the digital age, the way individuals interact with entertainment has undergone a significant transformation. One of the most notable shifts is in how people book and experience movies. The advent of online cinema booking systems has revolutionized the way moviegoers reserve tickets, choose seats, and even pre-order snacks, all from the comfort of their homes or on the go via mobile devices. As internet penetration rates increased and consumer confidence in online transactions grew, online cinema booking systems proliferated globally. Cinema chains and independent theaters alike embraced these systems, integrating features such as interactive seating maps, mobile ticketing options, and secure payment gateways to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the Statement of the 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 evolution of technology has profoundly impacted the entertainment industry, particularly in how consumers engage with cinema experiences. Traditionally, moviegoers relied on physical box offices or third-party vendors to purchase tickets, often facing challenges such as long queues and limited seat availability. However, the advent of online cinema booking systems has revolutionized this process, offering unprecedented convenience and efficiency. According to a report by PwC (2022), the global entertainment and media industry is projected to grow significantly, driven by digital advancements and shifting consumer behaviors. Within this landscape, online cinema booking systems have emerged as integral tools for cinemas and consumers alike, facilitating seamless ticket reservations and enhancing the overall movie going experience (PwC, 2022).
Online cinema booking system is basically made for providing the movie ticket anywhere and anytime and gets information about the movies online. The user can easily be able to know about the movies released and then make a choice. It is a web-based system. The customers can buy ticket online and cancel the seat at a suitable time (2 days before the show to 1hour before the show). To enhance the refund function, all the customers have to register to become a number before buying the ticket. Staff can use the system to insert and delete data (example film description, time table) which will update the webpage. Also staff can check the statistic information from the system.
The system is to provide an alternate and convenient way for a customer to buy movie tickets. It is an automatic system. After the data has been fed into the database, the staff does not need to do anything with the order once it is received through the system. The name “movie” originates from the fact that photographic film (also called film stock) has historically been the medium for recording and displaying motion pictures. Many other terms exist for an individual motion picture, including picture, picture show, moving picture, photoplay and flick.
One of the pioneering companies in this space was Fandango, founded in 2000, which quickly became a prominent online ticketing service for movie theaters in the United States. Fandango's platform enabled users to browse movie schedules, select seats, and complete transactions online, marking a significant departure from traditional ticketing methods. As internet penetration rates increased and consumer confidence in online transactions grew, online cinema booking systems proliferated globally. Cinema chains and independent theaters alike embraced these systems, integrating features such as interactive seating maps, mobile ticketing options, and secure payment gateways to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
Today, it is believed that the application of computer technology in any activity would go a long way in making that activity much easier. To the researcher, this statement remains a theory until proven otherwise by the implementation of online movie ticket reservation system. It also believed that the benefit and advantages of using computer out weight that of the manual methods beyond doubt by the researcher through the implementation of the new system.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Investigation revealed that many online booking platforms suffer from complex user interfaces that can confuse or frustrate users, especially older demographics or those unfamiliar with digital technologies (Wu et al., 2020). Also, there are issues such as system crashes, slow loading times, or errors during the booking process can lead to negative user experiences and potentially lost revenue for cinemas (Bilgin, 2018). The major problem that give rise to this research project faced by Tropicana, Uyo.
- Late seats reservation by customers.
- Fluctuation of network service.
- Inability to book seat by computer illiterate customers.
- Corrupt and tactical customers who have ways of sneaking into the cinema hall with fake seats number printout.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement an Online Cinema Booking System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to develop an application software that will:
- Increase the profit and obtain statistical information from the booking record;
- Create a reliable database of movies in the case study with their description;
- Establish an efficient way to promote the film on the internet;
- Minimize the number of staff at the ticket box; and
- Provide an anytime, anywhere service for the customers to book their movie ticket.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- How can cinema online booking system establish an efficient way to promote the film on the internet?
- Can cinema online booking increase the profit and obtain statistical information from the booking record?
1.6 Significance of Study
This research project will be unnecessary if it does not have significance to humanity. The newly designed system is faster, more convenient and you do not have to go to station twice. Online ticket reservation is always a safe option, unless the website is insecure. Booking online ticket is safe if the company you plan to use, uses a Secure Server Software (SSS).
This basically hides year private information from there. It saves a lot of money in printing cost because the company do not need to printout ticket to give to customers which get binned after the film anyway. It also saves a lot of time for the customers because, they do not need to arrived early to queue for ticket in case they are all sold out.
Finally, the implementation of the proposed system will be helpful to other scholars who want to undertake a research on the same subject matter or take the scope of this research to another state. It will provide additional materials for researchers to make use of for reference purposes.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Design and Implementation of Online Cinema Booking System using Tropicana as the case study.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- 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 research 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).
1.9 Definition of Terms
In order to do away with ambiguity, some terms and keywords in the context of this research are here by defined.
Implementation:
Is the building of system and installation to ensure that it solve a particular task.
System:
It is a combination of related parts into a complex whole.
Database:
It is a collection of interrelated data stored together with controlled redundantly to serve one or more application in an optional fashion.
Reservation:
It is the act of reserving something e.g hotel accommodation, a seat on an aero plane, in a theatre.
Ticket:
It is a piece of paper, cardboard, etc, showing that the holder is entitled to certain rights, such as travel on a train or bus, entry to a place of public.
