Assignment
The Electronics Accessories China Bazaar (ACB) is turning the world of e-commerce on its head. It sells no standard electronic devices such as mobile phones or tablets, cameras or music systems. Instead it sells you mobile phone covers, batteries without a brand name, unbranded SD Cards, power adapters and chargers. The byline that the site uses under its name is "Walmarting Walmart". They promise the customer the "Worlds largest inventory of unbranded accessories that work perfectly" at half the price of Walmart. A customer shopping at EACB runs a search for what s/he is looking for -- going from a simple search to a Multi-Focus Search (MFS), the latter promising an "almost 100% hit". The now famous EACB MFS is based on an algorithm that is reputed to be more complex that Google's search algorithm. When material arrives from Manufacturers in China at EABCs Warehouses, a well trained staff updates the specialized Inventory database built with the above algorithm's search optimization techniques in mind.
Once the Search Results are before a customer, s/he can pick the items and quantity and finalize their Shopping Cart. At this stage if the customer wishes to encash any pre-awarded coupons or seek discounts based on promo codes s/he may do so and confirm the order. Often to encash a coupon etc. the customer may need to sign in to their account. Signing in also ensures pre-verified information such as Shipping address etc. are automatically updated into the order. With Shipping details, coupons and of course product details all in place, a Confirmed Order is now ready for Payment processing. A customer may pay for an order by either entering credit card and billing information on the spot or by retrieving such information from his/her account. The customer now takes the final step - Place Order and Make Payment.
Once an order has been placed most Customers go back to their Account page to verify that the order has been recorded. Incidentally, customers can create Accounts anytime during the previous process or independently of an actual shopping event. Creating an Account involves putting in some basic information and verifying one's identity through either an email or text link. An order once placed immediately triggers a Shipping process at an EACB Warehouse closest to the customer. Often the items are shipped within 24 hours and the inventory and order records are updated. A printed copy of the Order is enclosed with the Shipment.
The SIGN Up process at EACB is a very comprehensive PRCESS of data collection. Right up front a new user submits h/her email address, a secondary emIl address, a mobile phone number for sending a verification code, the type of phone it is (Android/iOS) so as to guide them in downloading the correct set of Apps that make shopping at EACB more efficient (allegedly), fb, whatsApp and Twitter handles. Once verified, the user is led through a digital wallet creation process where the more Credit Cards you save online the more rewards you get. Finally, EABC leads you into a style-profile section where you could answer several questions (optional but rewarded if you answer them) on current electronics and non electronics (clothing to footwear to favorite vacation spot and most preferred airlines. ) you currently own or have owned in the past. The information about electronics owned along with the wallet and personal profiles is regularly processed to build new personalized promotions. The non electronics data, along with wallet and personal profile is also packaged for other retail stores (such as Gap or Stop and Shop). EABC has a significant revenue stream coming in through the sale of profile data.
Draw a LEVEL 1 DFD for the SIGN UP/SIGN IN (1.0) Process