DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE FOOD ORDERING SYSTEM

1.1 Introduction

Online Food Ordering System is database program that keeps record of all transaction carried out in the restaurant on daily bases. The system helps the restaurant management to keep adequate record of all transactions carried out and does that will still be carried out by the restaurant and maintain the database of the restaurant. 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, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

The online food ordering system is one of the latest services most fast food restaurants in the western world are adopting. With this method, food is ordered online and delivered to the customer. This is made possible through the use of electronic payment system. Customers pay with their credit cards, although credit card customers can be served even before they make payment either through cash or cheque. So, the system designed in this project will enable customers go online and place order for their food.

Due to the great increase in the awareness of internet and the technologies associated with it, several opportunities are coming up on the web. So many businesses and companies now venture into their business with ease because of the internet. One of such business that the internet introduced is an online food ordering system. In today’s age of fast food and take out, many restaurants have chosen to focus on quick preparation and speedy delivery of orders rather than offering a rich dining experience. Until recently, most of this delivery orders were placed over the phone, but there are many disadvantages to this system.

It is possible for anybody to order any goods via the internet and have the goods delivered at his/her doorsteps. But while trying to discuss the transfer method of the goods and services, attention is focused on the payment mode. In other words, how possible is it to pay for goods and services via the internet? This then leads to the discussion of the economic consequences of digital cash. What are the implementations from the view point of economic? Since the world is fast becoming a global village, the necessary tool for this process is communication of which telecommunication is a key player?

The challenges encountered that led to the execution of the research work is that, food sales and ordering services are the fundamental tools in any business organization the profit and loose of any business depends on detailed information on sales and services made to aid in decision making and implementation, if accountability is not checked, then the business is sure to collapse, as a result in a any retail and hospitality business there is a need for a system that gives feedback to the management to aid decision making, this is where computerized management information system comes handy. Since all of the ordering is done automatically, the method also significantly lessens the strain on the eateries. After a consumer puts an order on the website, it is entered into a database and is retrievable in real time by the restaurant via an admin login and desktop program. The program shows the ordered meal in a clear and concise format, together with the delivery information and alternatives.

This research work is based on providing adequate information about restaurant. At the end of this project, the research work, the software will be able to provide precise and concise food ordering information from daily records from the database.

1.3 Statement of the Problems

Investigation revealed that food sales and ordering services are the fundamental tools in any business organization the profit and loose of any business depends on detailed information on sales and services made to aid in decision making and implementation, if accountability is not checked, then the business is sure to collapse, as a result in a any retail and hospitality business there is a need for a system that gives feedback to the management to aid decision making, this is where computerized management information system comes handy

Besides, staffing a restaurant can be tricky because demand for food will likely fluctuate dramatically, often due to variables that you cannot track. Identify any variables you do observe that influence traffic in your restaurant, such as weather and day of the week. Build a weekly schedule to staff your restaurant in accordance with these variables, such as scheduling additional staff on Saturday night if that is your busiest shift.

Compile data about sales and employee hours to determine a profitable ratio of employee hours to sales totals. Restaurant personnel training systems are also vital to success, ensuring that employees know company protocol and systems, and are capable of delivering a high quality product. Write a comprehensive employee manual detailing information that each member of your staff should know. Besides, customers are not able to ask about quality of food or ask for any specialized diet foods. It is more difficult to ask for gluten free or allergy free foods with computerized ordering. Also, it is more possible for a customer to place an order, but never pick up the order which can lead to waste of food and possibly a loss of profits.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to design and implement an Online Food Ordering System. In achieving this aim, the following objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To determine how computerized management information system has facilitated increase productivity, decrease paperwork, and ability to analyze trouble spots.
2. To determine how the system will increase the level of services quality and customer satisfaction.
3. To determine how the system will help the restaurants to have the ability to build competitive and strategic advantages by better understanding the needs and wants of the guests, hence building repeat business.
4. To determine how the system can lead organization towards better decision making and building a competitive advantage over its competitors.
5. To determine how computerized management information system will improve the operating efficiencies, provide restaurant and support center management with timely access to financial and operating data and reduce administrative time and expense.

1.5 Significance of Study

The study is primarily aimed at increasing efficiency in operation, reducing time and running cost, monitoring and the recording of the activities and total administration in Jeveniks Restaurant Ltd Enugu by introducing an Online Food Ordering System.

Besides, this study is significance because its conclusions would be useful to:

1. Human Resources Managers in the hotel and restaurants business
2. The Federal, State and Local Government
3. Scholars in the field of hotel and restaurant management
4. Management of Jeveniks Restaurant Ltd Enugu

1.6 Scope of the Study

The scope of this research is focused on the Design and Implementation of an Online Food Ordering System. This project work is narrowed to Jeveniks Restaurant Ltd Enugu. The program will concentrate on Food Ordering, Food Menu and Payment on Delivery.

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).

1.8 Definition of Terms

Computer:

A computer is an electronic machine that is capable of solving problems by accepting data, performing prescribed operation on the data accepting and supply the result of those operations.

Data:

They are values, numbers, quantities or instruction by the computer user. Data are raw facts or figure that are not yet processed.

Database:

A structured set of data held in a computer, especially one that is accessible in various ways.