COMPUTER BASED STUDENTS ID-CARD PROCESSING SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

Student identification card processing system is an application software packaged with all of the components needed to be up-and-running and printing Identification Cards within a stipulated period of time. Every ID Maker System comes with an intuitive, full-featured ID Maker Software, photo-taking tools, as well as enough blank card stock and printer ribbons to get through first run. A system, with numerous definitions can be literally seen in a computer way as a collection of the hardware and software components of a computer. A new student comes in, and while their paperwork is being filled out, an ID card is printed. This ID card has a full color picture of the student, their signature, and a barcode or magnetic stripe. The student visits the library and since their ID card also works as a library card, it is scanned to record the checkout details. The student visits the cafeteria, and instead of handing over money, they simply have their ID card scanned. Since it also works as a meal card, the total amount is deducted directly from their student account.

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.

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1.2 Background of Study

In recent times, systems design is the process of defining the architecture, components, modules, interfaces, and data for a system to satisfy specified requirements. It could be seen as the application of systems theory to product development. The design and implementation of World Wide Web has become an environment for distributed applications of all kinds. The originally intended use of the Web as distributed system for knowledge-interchange seems to disappear, compared to the increasing number of Electronic Commerce Web applications. Organizations offer products and services in the Web, and use the Web as a means to integrate their (heterogeneous) business application systems. Offering Web-based products requires combining services of different application systems, which were build on the coarse-grained Web implementation model. Reusing the respective fine-grained services and application systems respectively integrating these cross-platform application systems increases quality and reduces costs of the new product.

Students Identity card issued by the school administrators to a citizen intending to travel abroad from the definition, identity card can also be called a true image of an individual, because it tells well about a person coming into a country. Citizens in a country have the right to apply for issuance of an inter-students passport. There is a need for the maintenance and processing of students records in order to maintain current data concerning an individual in the institute of management and technology Enugu, the unit, which takes the responsibility of producing an identity card for student, has many sections. A system, with numerous definitions can be literally seen in a computer way as a collection of the hardware and software components of a computer.

According to Chiemeke & Franca (2006), a system is set of components that interact to achieve a common goal. In another sense, a system is a group of interrelated or intersecting elements forming a unified whole. A verification system as in this project is an application program used to verify that someone or something rightly and legally belongs to a collection, an organization or an individual. There are different verification system, notably address verification system, adult verification system and card verification system to mention but a few. Student verification system is used to know whether or not a student is or was a legal and rightly registered student. In this context, it is used to verify that a student belongs/belonged to an institution and to confirm that he/she is properly registered in a particular department running any of the institutions programme. This student verification system (SVS), also known as DELSU e-Verify is a window based system. It is an electronic and computerized means of verifying someone’s claim of studentship to an institution by means of their matriculation number (Mat No) being input, hence using an output clearly showing the truth or false of his/her claim.

According to Chiemeke and Franca (2006), a system is set of components that interact to achieve a common goal. In another sense, a system is a group of interrelated or intersecting elements forming a unified whole. A computerized system as in this project is an application program used to verify that someone or something rightly and legally belongs to a collection, an organization or an individual.

In this modern age, computers have verified the cause of their existence. The advent of computers in our society caused a lot of criticism on the danger it poses on the society. Critics of computer and new techniques express their fear on how computers will displace and replace all human skills thus resulting to mass unemployment. The presence of computer on virtually every field of today’s fast life has proved the critic wrong as the invention of computers and new technologies continues to create additional jobs for those who identify themselves with computers and new technologies. This make computes partner to human beings in any fields of human endeavour. Over the past decades, students identification and verification has been a major problem in large institutions as documents, certificate and studentship can be forged at a great rate and easy way, using the computer negatively. Forgers fail to know that in this fast moving world, the computer has equally served as an aid to decision making, verification and authentication. This is because of computers efficiency in terms of speed, accuracy, reliability, cost and security among others. In recent years, awareness has existed and created in people as it concerned the use of computer in verifying, authenticating and security activities either through web-based (internet) or window-based. Decision support system (DSS) and others system like management information system (MIS) and information system (IS) are used in organization. Decisions are largely based on experience and principle. The value of every degree is the reputation of the institution and the students produced, hence, the greatest obstacle to any academic institution which is dishonesty and forgery has to be balanced with verification and authentication systems and processes. “In recent times, effort are bring made to build intelligence into computer system, whereby the computer can be used to process large volume of structural and unstructured information for decision making.

Most countries have the rule that foreign citizens need to have their passport or occasionally a Student’s identity card from their country, available at anytime if they do not have residence permit in the country. A student identification card can only be issued to genuine bonafide students. Card holders can use the can to identify themselves as a student around the campus or outside the campus. The identity card is managed and administered by the (Student Identity Card Association (SICA) of the school.

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1.3 Statement of the Problem

In examination of the main processing techniques used in ID-card processing system from the stage of data processing system to end stage of the processed ID-Card, a number of problem area are made known, which are as follows: It has been noted that for students to relieve or collect their ID-Card in institute of management and technology (IMT) Enugu, they queue up for several hours from one unit of the processing center to the another with the manual processed involved in handling the students ID-card process, most of them waste the whole day in the processing center without getting their ID-cards. So student do waste a lot of time in taking information and retrieving the students records.

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1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to design and develop a Computerized Students Id-card Processing System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the recent procedures employed in IMT Enugu with regards to ID-card processing.
2. To design a system with the capability of providing a wait-and-take processed ID-card.
3. To design an ID-card processing system that ensures timely processing.
4. To improve on the already existing system by designing a successful, secured privacy and reliable ID-card processing system that will help in providing complementary help to ID-card processing personnel through the availability of computerized information.

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1.5 Significance of the Study

For the fact that this project research is aimed at having comprehensive review of the manual system of operation being carried out in the students identity card. The following will be taken into consideration for subject matters. They are:

1. Ensure accurate and timely update of the holder record.
2. Check multiple possession of the students Identity card.
3. Deprive fake students who are not bonafide students from obtaining the identity card.
4. A proper account of the identity card issued.
5. Finally, a proper storage system which keeps all vital information ready for use.

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1.6 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the Design and Implementation of a Computerized Students Id-card Processing System using the School and Department in IMT Enugu. The system will be a window based application developed using Web Based programming languages such as; HTML, CSS, JAVASCRIPT, and PHP as the preferred programming language for building the user interface and MySQL for database design.

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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. 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.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. 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).

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1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Biometrics: Is physiological or behavioral characteristics unique to individuals, this Include Fingerprint, hand geometry, handwriting, iris, retinal, vein, and voice.

PIN: Personal Identification Number.

Biometric Verification: Is any means by which a person can be uniquely identified by evaluating one or more distinguishing biological traits.

Scanner: A device for examining, reading, or monitoring something in particular..

Fingerprint Sensor: Is an electronic device used to capture a digital image of the fingerprint pattern.

Rapid Application Development: Is a concept that products can be developed faster and of higher quality.