Document Type

Restricted Campus Only

Publication Date

5-1-2019

Abstract

The Trinity University Communication Department is currently using a handwritten logbook to keep track of expensive cameras kits and associated equipment. Check-in and check-out are documented in the logbook by a student worker. Unfortunately, this time consuming and labor-intensive process leads to inventory mismanagement and expensive equipment loss each semester. The purpose of this project is to create an inventory database that will remove responsibility from the student worker, increase the speed of check-in/check-out, and ultimately prevent loss of equipment. The prototype described in this report uses an Ipad app to implement the user interface, FireBase to implement the database, and RFID tags and a RFID reader for 1 input into the information processing subsystem. In order to ensure that the designed prototype meets the project objectives, various tests were conducted. The prototype tests are divided into four modules: manage inventory, manage users, check-in/check-out, and RFID tag testing. The purpose of these prototype tests are to analyze the functionality of the following capabilities: ability to automatically check-in and out equipment using RFID tags and the U-Grok-It RFID reader, keep track of users and kit items (includes adding and removing users or kits), check availability of kits, and confirm that the person borrowing the equipment is authorized to borrow. An added function is the ability to manually check-in/out equipment if needed. After conducting these tests, the results proved that the designed prototype meets most of the objectives outlined in the final Project Charter. The designed system eliminates the need for paper documentation, speeds up the check-in and check-out process, and ultimately removes responsibility from the student worker. Two features described in the project charter were not met. These include email notifications for overdue equipment and a printable late fee invoice that may be submitted to the student billing department. Currently, we have been testing one prototype kit. We will finish implementing the system for nine other kits before our final presentation.

Comments

ENGR 4381

Team Adviser: Keith Bartels

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