AUTOMATED DATA BASED FOR RECHARGE CARDS

1.1 Introduction

A recharge card is a type of telephone card that the user can "recharge" or "top up" by adding money when the balance gets below a nominated amount. In reality the recharge card is a specialised form of a prepaid or debit account. To use the phonecard, the user would call an access number (which is usually a toll-free telephone number), enter the "card number" (also called the PIN) and then dial the desired telephone number. The user could add value to the card at the same time as making a call. When travelling, the user has a list of access numbers for various countries, enabling them to call from any phone in most countries and be able to top-up the card (Wikipedia, 2021).

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, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

---

1.2 Background of Study

Recharge card is a type of telephone card that the user can “recharge” “top up” by adding money when the balance get below a nominated amount. In reality the recharge card is a specialized form of a prepaid or debit account. To use the mobile phone the user would call an access number (which is usually a toll-free telephone number enter the card number, also called the PIN and then dial the desire telephone number. The user could add value to the recharged card PIN at the same time as making a call. When traveling, the user has a list of access numbers for various countries and be able to top-up the card. The so-called recharge card is merely a marketing device, but it is convenient to many users because it is a durable credit cards size.

Recharge card were introduced in Italy in 1977 and become especially popular in Japan when they were introduced there in 1982. These cards had a set of value, that could be spent and, once the credit was used, the card would be discarded. Recharge cards began to gain popularity around the world and the turned into a multi-million dollars industry.

The so-called recharge card is merely a marketing device, but it is convenient to many users because it is a durable credit card size card. In reality, the system works by a user being provided with a unique "card ID" (the PIN). After transferring funds to the card company, the ID can be provided electronically by email, by SMS, over the internet, a coupon printed by a cash register at a store, or any other way. Also, as the card balance is actually recorded on the card company's database, topping up can be effected in any manner that funds can be transferred to the company (Wikipedia, 2021).

To use the phone card, the user would call an access number (which is usually a toll-free telephone number), enter the "card number" (also called the PIN) and then dial the desired telephone number. The user could add value to the card at the same time as making a call. When travelling, the user has a list of access numbers for various countries, enabling them to call from any phone in most countries and be able to top-up the card. The so-called recharge card is merely a marketing device, but it is convenient to many users because it is a durable credit card size card. In reality, the system works by a user being provided with a unique "card ID" (the PIN). After transferring funds to the card company, the ID can be provided electronically by email, by SMS, over the internet, a coupon printed by a cash register at a store, or any other way. Also, as the card balance is actually recorded on the card company's database, topping up can be affected in any manner that funds can be transferred to the company (Wikipedia, 2021).

---

1.3 Statement of the Problems

Since 2007 to 2016 the company had been facing a lot of challenges in the management of keeping recharges card record to the customers that buy recharge card in whole sells and retails in the company. Due to the set back experienced in the manual operating system, the company find it difficult to spread or disseminate information on automated database system. Here the company goods are being manages through the means of record from the manual to the administration of the company across the country.

---

1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to develop an automated database for recharge card for Emmywill Communication in Ekiti State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To design a system that will automate the database for recharge card.
2. To design a system that will ensure adequate circulation of finished product,
3. To design a system that will facilitate the services of the company to it customers.
4. To develop an application software that will control the rate of wasting time in the company.

---

1.5 Significance of Study

The system will offset the cost of automated database, which could be more costly. Provide benefit in controlling cost and meeting customer service demands. 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 the Study

The scope of this research work is on automated database for recharge card. The programmes focus on the management of recharge card of “Emmywill Communication” using automated database system. The study uses Emmywill Communication, in Uyo Local Government Area as it case study.

Emmywill Communication is the sub-dealer distributor of recharged card and other products, and the distributions are being carried out in large quantities.

---

1.7 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. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. 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

Management: The organizing and controlling of the affairs of a business or a sector of a business

System: A combination of related parts working together to achieve a particular aim.

Data: Numbers, Text or image which is in the form suitable for Storage in or processing by a computer, or incomplete information.

Information: A meaning full material derived from computer data by organizing it and interpreting it in a specified way.

Input: Data entered into a computer for storage or processing.

Output: Information produced from a computer after processing.

Information System: A set of interrelated components that collect (or retrieve), process, store and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization.

Computer: Computer is an electronic device that accepts data as Input, processes data and gives out information as output to the user.

Software: Software is set of related programs that are designed by the manufacturer to control the hardware and to enable the computer perform a given task.

Hardware: Hardware is a physical part of a computer that can be touched, seen, feel which are been control by the software to perform a given task.

Database: Database is the collection of related data in an organized form.

Programming: Programming is a set of coded instruction which the computers understands and obey.

Technology: Technology is the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use technical and their interrelation with life, society and the environment, drawing upon such as industrial art, engineering, applied science and pure science.

Algorithm: A set of logic rules determined during the design phase of a data matching application. The ‘blueprint’ used to turn logic rules into computer instructions that detail what step to perform in what order.

Application: The final combination of software and hardware which performs the data matching.

Data matching database: A structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system.

Data integrity: The quality of correctness, completeness and complain with the intention of the creators of the data i.e ‘fit for purpose’

Password: This is a secret code that a user must type into a computer to enable he/she access it or its applications. This is made up of numbers, letters, characters or contribution of any of the above categories.

PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor (the name is a recursive acronym) This is a Programming language known as a server-side scripting language. It was used in the developing of this software.

Identification: The act of recognizing and naming someone or something.

Certificate: A document serving as evidence or as a written testimony, as a status of qualifications, privileges, or the truth of something.

Verification: Evidence that establishes or confirms the accuracy or truth of something.

Query language: A database query language and report writer allows users to interactively interrogate the database, analyze its data and update it according to the user’s privileges on data. It also controls the security of the database.

---

1.9 Organization of the Research

This research work is organized into five chapters.

Chapter one is concerned with the introduction of the research study and it presents the preliminaries, theoretical background, statement of the problem, aim and objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study, organization of the research and definition of terms.

Chapter two focuses on the literature review, the contributions of other scholars on the subject matter is discussed.

Chapter three is concerned with the system analysis and design. It analyzes the present system to identify the problems and provides information on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed system. The system design is also presented in this chapter.

Chapter four presents the system implementation and documentation, the choice of programming language, analysis of modules, choice of programming language and system requirements for implementation.

Chapter five focuses on the summary, conclusion and recommendations are provided in this chapter based on the study carried out.