UTA Web Bookstore (UTAWB)

Draft: June 14, 1999

Problem Statement

As the e-commerce become popular, the UTA bookstore is considering extending its service to the students via the Internet. This project is to build a Web application (called UTA Web Bookstore or UTAWB) to help the UTA bookstore to operate its business through the world-wide-web. The UTAWB system supports online book browsing and shopping. It also allows customers to sell their used books to the bookstore via the Web. A preliminary list of the core functions of the UTAWB system is briefly described below.

Account management
The UTAWB system should allow the users to manage their accounts. A user must have an account in order to purchase or sell books. The required information for the user account includes user's login name, password, name, shipping address, email address, phone number, fax number, and current balance. The core functions in account management includes (1) open an account; (2) close an account; (3) review order history; (4) view account information; and (5) change account information (except current balance).

Search utility
The system should allow the user to find specific books. Users can search for a book by author's name, by keyword, by title, and by subject.

Book browsing
The system should allow the user to browse the information of a specific book, including title, author(s), publisher, ISBN, year published, total pagses, subject, price, and discount information.

Shopping cart
The UTAWB should allow users to purchase books online. After the user obtains relevant book information, either by searching or browsing, he/she can add the book to the shopping cart. In addition, he/she can change the quantity of any selected books, delete a book from the shopping cart, view the shopping cart contents, or proceed their shopping by submitting a purchase order. The order should include the customer information such as account number and payment method.

Used book purchase
The system should allow users to sell their books to the UTA bookstore.

Billing and Payment
The UTAWB system should allow the user to specify the payment method. UTAWB supports Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

Shipping and Handling
The UTAWB system should allow the user to specify the shipping method. The associated shipping and handling charges will be displayed. There are three types of shipping methods: (1) same day delivery, (2) overnight delivery, and (3) regular delivery.

The above information is what the client currently has in mind. There could be omissions in the general product description. You are responsible for uncovering any missing requirements as well as clarifying any ambiguous issues.


This problem was designed by Dr. C.T. Hsu.