Braemart Supermarkets uses bar codes for stock control and pricing. When an item is purchased: - The bar code is scanned and the stock record is found. - The quantity in stock is reduced by 1 and checked against the minimum level. - If below minimum, the system automatically reorders from suppliers. Just-in-time systems for Braemart determine reorder levels based on past sales trends and factors like weather. Orders are placed automatically with suppliers for delivery by a specified date and time. Customer wait times in Braemart's Cairo store were analyzed using a computer simulation. Data was collected through customer interviews, POS records, and sensors to determine the optimal number of checkouts

1. Practice questions and answers A2 Applied ICT

2. Question 1 Braemart Supermarkets are a multinational company. They use bar codes for stock control and finding prices and product information at point of sale terminals (POS) in each of their stores. Describe how the stock file is updated using information from the bar codes. [5 marks]

3. Answer Any five points from: - bar code is read at the POS terminal - bar code is unique identifier of the product and the key field in stock file/database - bar code number is searched for on file until matching record found - number of that item is stock is reduced by 1 and system checks value against minimum stock level

4. Answer cont… - if min stock level reached/below then system automatically re-orders - automatic printout of orders/sends message to suppliers - when new goods arrive, bar codes allow update of number in stock

5. Examiner’s Feedback This was not well answered as the level of the responses were lacking in detail. Some candidates offered ‘expert systems’, which was an indication of lack of subject knowledge. Often the record of the product being sold was deleted rather than the number_in_stockbeing reduced by one and the re-order level being checked. Several candidates discussed using a transaction file and then later updating the

6. Question 2 Braemart Supermarkets are a multinational company. The company is concerned about the cost of stock being wasted. They are looking into a ‘just-in- time’ system for stocking the stores. Describe how a ‘just-in-time’ system would work.[4 marks]

7. Answer Any five points from: - when re-order required supplier is notified automatically - quantity required in order - date and time to be delivered - stock control program determines these values - based on past sales trends - and predicted sales determined by external factors e.g. weather forecast/TV schedule - unable to cope with sudden increased demand

8. Examiner’s Feedback Candidates seemed well-prepared for this question on JIT systems.

9. Braemart Supermarkets are a multinational company. Their Cairo store has used computer simulations to determine the number of checkouts required to minimise customer waiting timesand the number of checkouts needed in the Cairo store was determined by a computer simulation. Describe how the data is collected for use in the simulation. [3] Question 3

10. Answer Five from: A relational database consists of a number of separate tables For example a payroll table and a staff table Tables are linked to each other… … using a key field For example the employee ID This field is part of other table(s) Data from one table combined with data from other table(s) when producing reports. Can select different fields from each table for output SQL is used for queries and producing reports

11. The new hospital in Cairo is improving its existing computer system to make it more efficient. They currently have separate systems for storingstaff records and payroll records. Explain why the systems analyst has decided that a relational database would be preferred to two separate files?[3] Question 3

12. ANSWER Any three points from: - information gathered from a shop already using new system - data gathered at different times of the day - data gathered on different days of the week - customers are interviewed after processing/observer watch the customers being served - POS records examined to find data - a number of till operators/customers sampled for questionnaire - sensors/data loggers count and time customers

13. EXAMINER’S FEEDBACK Candidates were sometimes unclear on how data could be collected by the supermarket. Some suggested expert systems could be used, which was not appropriate here.

14. Question 4 Mr Mustapha is the head teacher of a large school. The school currently has a computer network but he wants to have a new system which will allow the school to keep student personal records and test marks. He also wants to have a system which will let the students have the opportunity to use computers to improve their learning. He has invited Joanne Reeves, a systems analyst, to design and create the new system. Name the medium which would be most appropriate to store the students’ personal records and test marks and explain how the data would be stored. [5]

15. Answer Magnetic disc – one mark Four from: Files will be held in an indexed sequential manner The index will allow for direct access Needed when accessing individual student records quickly When a student’s details are required by a teacher The records will be held sequentially to allow for serial access Used to process all records one after the other when producing class lists