Inventory Tracking Software Improvement Project: CE 1 Report Analysis

This report presents a competency demonstration for an inventory tracking software improvement project. The project focused on enhancing an existing radio tracking method in warehouses and production lines by developing an advanced inventory tracking system. The objectives included creating user-friendly web-based software for tracking objects and products, utilizing PHP and MYSQL. The report details the author's contributions, including database implementation, user surveys, and the development of key features such as radio and headset tracking. It also addresses challenges like screen resolution issues and barcode scanning problems, and the solutions implemented, such as using Bootstrap for responsive design and replacing faulty scanners. The report highlights collaborative work, project review, and the successful implementation of the tracking software, emphasizing ease of use and data consistency. This report is a valuable resource for understanding the development and implementation of inventory tracking systems.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 1
AMIR FAGHIH LARIJANI

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Inventory Tracking Software Improvement Project
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Member
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
This project had been developed based on the improvement of the already in use radio
tracking method in warehouses and production line processes in different factories. The project is
to become an advanced inventory tracking system software. For the development of the best
quality software I had followed methods which were to be considered important for the
development of such software’s. The different factors which needed to be included into the
system had been included into the system so that the objectives and the client requirements are
met to the point. I had taken care of doing some research based on the previous version of the
software already in use in the different organisations. The basic objective is to have a radio
tracking software.

CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
For the completion of this project I had developed the following list of objectives so as to
deliver the best quality project to my client and to make the project as per the requirements of the
project:
 To produce a software which would be able to track objects and products on the
ground of production and warehouse.
 To make it simple for anyone to use without any prior knowledge about the software
 To make a radio inventory tracking system software
 To make the application in the form of a web application.
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
I had studied the data base implementations of the software’s, conducted survey from the
users of the software to get to know the drawbacks and the usability of the software. All these
research materials were used for the development of the project software. This was to help in the
improvement of the experience for the users of this software. The software is to have many users
who can be trained as well as untrained users. I had also helped my team members in
understanding the innovation which I had devised to be added into the system.

CE 1.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: Team Member associated in this project
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
For the project I had helped my team members with my skills to study the project
solution already in the market. I had then compared with the requirements of the client to know
what I have to implement in to the project system to make it compatible with the requirements of
the project. I had made a comparative study of the data base schema for the project. I had then
conducted a survey based on the users of the software which helped to make the project better. I
had taken care to make the project as simple as possible which would allow any untrained users
to use the software with ease.

CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
The basic theory has been based on the improvement of an inventory tracking software.
The project which was already in use was studied and found the drawbacks which needed to be
removed and innovative ideas added into the system. The project was to implement the system
into a web based application. I had used PHP and MYSQL for the project so as to make the
project into a web based application.
CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
For the project I had followed the use of my industrial engineering skills of data base
implementation, coding and designing of the web based application. I had followed the
objectives which had been set out for the project to ensure that my team was able to provide the
best quality work. I had implemented individual functions singly and then tested them out with
the project already compiled. I had also added the facility of time stamping the point at which the
products were being checked in or moved from one place to another to the point of moving out
of the warehouse.
CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
A major part which had to be implemented in to the system was to track the usage of the
radio and headsets in the warehouse floor. As everyone in the floor needed to be connected to
one another the users needed to check out a radio and a headset from the entry gate and at the
time of leaving the floor they had to return it back. I had implemented this portion of the project.
The barcode of the headset and the radios needed to be scanned into the system along with the
badge id of the employee entering the warehouse floor. Along with this there are options for the

use of check out of the radios when they return back, the history of the employees taking the
headsets and the radios and an advanced tab. I had implemented the advanced tab to add new
radios to the storage, add new staff who will be working on the floor and the inventory control to
check whether all the radios and the headsets are returned correctly or not. If it is not returned the
id then can be checked with the last person to have taken the radio into the floor of the
warehouse.
Figure 2: the facility layout of the radios and the headsets.
CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
As the project was to be designed in the form of we based application it was being tested
on different devices which would enable the organisation to access the system from any place.
While doing this it was found that the layout was getting distorted in case of different resolution
screens. Many of the items were not being able to be scanned properly into the system.

1.3.4.2 Solutions
The problem was easily sorted when I implemented the use of bootstrap along with the
coding of the project. Bootstrap helped in the scaling of the CSS codes of the project across
different platforms and display of different resolutions. The scanning problem which I was
facing was found to be due to the use of a broken barcode scanner. Most of the lines were not
being scanned and the wrong product was being scanned into the system. When the product was
being cross checked again it was found to be absent. This was resolved with the changing of the
scanner.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
For the project to be innovative I had decided to make the system on a web based
application platform with the use of PHP and MYSQL. The web based usage helped in the
development of the simple designed web application for the project. This was necessary for the
project to be able to be used by anyone who is untrained with the proper amount of security
measures in the system.
CE 1.3.6 Collaborative work
I had collaborated with my project team mates for the completion of this project along
with my project supervisor. The project was to be completed within the provided deadline and
with all the implementation of the requirements from the client. I had specifically followed the
rules and guideline for the project so that the project can be delivered within the deadline. I had
also conducted the research among various industries which was a huge task for this project. I
had initiated most of the team meetings with my project supervisor where I had discussed the
progress of the project and the issues that were being faced by us.

CE 1.4 Project Review
CE 1.4.1 Project Overview
The project had been completed with correct implementation of the tracking software for
the inventory items. The system was designed in the form of a web based application with the
help of PHP and MYSQL. This helped in the easy controlling of the different modes of the
software. The system was also made into a simple usable procedure for the employees. All data
being used in the system was saved into the data base for future use. I had made sure that the
data that had been collected is consistent and is usable in the later stages of the system.
CE 1.4.2 My contribution to work
For the project I had helped in the understanding of the project already in the market and
then compared it with the requirement of the project. This helped me to device the proper use of
the resources to make the project of the best quality. I had worked on the understanding of the
database for the project. I had then conducted a survey based on which I had found the best
options and the user interface to use for the new system. Apart from this I had helped my team
mates in the completion of the project within the time line.