Various Different Aspects Of Mobile Phones example essay topic

I. T Coursework 2 Contents 1. Statement Of The Problem 2. Analysis Of The Problem 3. Design Of The Solution Statement Of The Problem Mobile phone retailers want to find a way in which will enable a customer to get exactly what they need. They want to create a database where each customer with their different needs will be able to be fulfilled.

This must be compiled of information, collected by myself from various available sources such as magazines, catalogues and the Internet, which showed various different aspects of mobile phones. The data capture sheet had to have been produced by myself, I had to collect and input the data myself, and then organise it into a presentable format. The database had to include forty records. But there were also a number of other problems that I faced along the way.

Firstly, I had to think of a way to get forty fields for the mobile phones. I had to think which features of the phones I was going to include, such as WAP compatibility and additional features, including handsets and changeable covers. Another problem I faced was deciding what type of mobile access I would choose. I had the choice between Pay As You Talk mobile phones, and Pay Monthly mobile phones. I chose to occupy my database with Pay As You Go mobile phones, because I found it mathematically easier to occupy forty fields. I also had to decide whether I was going to use the same secondary source throughout my research.

If I used different websites, and a variety of different catalogues, my evidence would show a wider range of research and I could have compared my results from different sources. But, if I used the same source the evidence would be more similar, and would leave less room for error. For example, if I went on a different website, there may have been a different price for exactly the same phone and exactly the same network, because the firm selling the phone may have had a sale on. I chose to use different sources because found more information, and because I wanted to compare different evidence. Another problem that I faced was choosing which phones to include.

I had the choice of using the same phones for each network, so that I could compare evidence between networks, or to include different phones so that I had a wide range of results. I decided to do both, by using five of exactly the same Nokia models for each network, and then I used varied models for the rest of the three phones I used for each network, depending on the phones with the most freely available information. Analysis Of The Problem The first thing that I did when trying to create a suitable database, was to produce a data capture form for the database. This includes all the headings included in the database, but with a reasonable explanation of each heading, and it evolves into the database. I have produced a replica of my data capture form below: Manufacturer: Model: Network: Ringtone Composer EUR Number of Ringtones EUR Voice dial EUR Vibration Alert EUR Talk Time mins: Standby Time hours: Charge Time hours: Once I had produced this I was ready to start the research. I felt it was necessary to produce the data capture form before I started my research because I was then familiar with the research I was going to try and find.

I made a few alterations while I was researching because of the results that I found, but I found it a lot more time efficient to decide what I was going to try and find before I tried to find it. I then had to find a suitable website or secondary source that had all of the information that I was looking for. After some advice from fellow mobile phone-a-holi c pupils, and search engines such as ' Ask Jeeves ' and ' Google ', I found the perfect website that held most of the information that I needed. This website was carphone warehouse. co. uk, and included easy to access information about a wide range of different models, by different manufactures, and included all of the networks that I intended to use.

The information was very easy to find, and it was easy to program in specific information that I wanted to find, and by just a few simple clicks, I had information ranging from vibration alert to charge time. I occasionally had to refer to other secondary sources, such as the ' Orange ' and ' Vodafone ' websites, and ' The Link ' factory catalogue. This was because there was not enough mobile phones to refer to for these certain networks. I then recorded my results by producing replica data capture sheets for each of the networks, and filling them in from information I was collecting of the website. This was not a very time efficient procedure, but it was the easiest way to record the data without losing vital information. The next task that I had to complete was to transfer the data from the recorded information onto the database format.

This was also not very time efficient, because all of the information I had collected had to be yet again converted into another results table. But, the final outcome did reflect the amount of work that I had put into it. I also considered some of the likely questions by potential customers, so that I could us this in advance and provide information that would solve these queries. First of all, I had to consider which age groups would buy the phones, and then which questions are these age groups going to ask. As there is a very wide selection of mobile phones on offer, and they are not aimed at any specific age group, I would expect questions from the adults interested in the talk time and charge time, and questions from the youngsters like: How many ringtones are there?

Are there any games? There could also be questions posed trying to identify features that would be best for the customer: Is the phone WAP capable? Another aspect could involve the buyer comparing parts of phones to trying and get the best deal: Does the Nokia 8210 have a vibrating battery so I will not be interrupted in my meetings? Why is the Nokia 5110 so old and the talk time, charge time and standby time is better than all the other Nokia? I am a businessman, and I have always had a Vodafone. Which of the Vodafone has the best call features?

I think that the answers to these questioned are highlighted in my database, and can be easily found. Throughout my project, I used pieces of software to complete my tasks. I observed the results and feedback from each piece of software, and then compared them. I used Microsoft Word to write up my project, and also used it to produce the data capture sheet. I found it very easy to use when I was doing my write up, and I found it very easy to produce headings where appropriate and to select the right fonts. I also produced the data capture sheet efficiently, but I found it hard to produce boxes to included ticks and crosses.

I also used Microsoft Excel to produce my database. This was also easy to use, but it wasn't very time efficient, because I found it hard to use it quickly. I also used Microsoft Access to produce my query tables. This was very easy to use, and I was very quick and precise in using it. The screen shot above shows the database after completion.

Overall, I think that Microsoft Access was the easiest piece of software to use, because even though I did the least amount of work on it, it was very quick and precise. I also didn't have many difficulties with this program, but when I did I found it easy to correct them. Design Of The Solution Here is an example of my database structure: I. T Coursework.