Overview

Introduction

This application is simulation/ practice for a fictional business, providing a web-based interface to allow customers of the business to schedule appointments for maintenance on a power boat or sail boat. Technicians that are properly trained and certified for a particular task will be assigned to given incoming customer requests. Technicians can view their own schedule and assist customers with creating or modifying appointments. Management is able to add and remove technicians as personnel are hired or dismissed/ resign, and add additional tasks to technicians who complete additional training. Management is also able to view schedules and assist customers with appointments.

Basic Business Concepts

CobaltDuck Marine Repair performs repairs and maintenance on recreational watercraft, such as minor patch work on sails, tuning of inboard/outboard engines, gel coat repairs, and replacing wires for standing rigging.

The various technicians employed by the business have specific skills sets. For example, some technicians may specialize in engine-related work, others in hull repairs, and others in sailboat rigging. Most have more than one skill, generally can assist on any job, and can train to do additional types of jobs in the future.

Based on past experience, the business has estimated the time required to perform each of the services it provides, rounded to the hour. Generally, these are conservative estimates with ample room for unexpected complications built in.

CobaltDuck Marine Repair is in operation from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm Saturday, and is closed Sundays. An appointment for service must begin not later than two hours before close, but may continue to the next day. Also, each technician has a one-hour lunch break at either 12pm or 1pm. An appointment may be split over this break.

This simulation currently ignores holidays and days off.

Customer Functions

The application will provide a web page where a customer can enter basic contact info, then select which type of service the customer requires. The page should then show the customer a list of technicians which can perform that service, and a calendar graphic showing available time-slots, starting with the current week and allowing to forward for up to four weeks. The customer can select a time-slot convenient for himself, then submit.

Additionally, a customer should have the option to register, wherein they create a username and password. Their appointments are then recorded against their username. The registered user can log back in, create additional appointments, change existing appointments, and will receive updates about the status of their service.

Unregistered customers can still schedule appointments, but will be unable to make changes except by contacting the business by other means.

Technician Functions

Each technician employed by the business can login to a technician portal. That technician can then view his own assigned appointments in graphical calendar format, and click a given appointment to view greater details.

The technician can also move his own appointments, as when a customer has called to re-schedule, or if another appointment runs long. A technician can give jobs to other technicians, but can not take jobs away from others.

Management Functions

The owner/ manager of the business can login to the management portal. The manager can create, view, update, and delete services performed. The manager can create, view, update, and delete technicians. The manager can view the schedule for any technician, and can update any appointment.