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IS480 Team wiki: 2010T2 B.I. JOE

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Team B.I.JOE

in collaboration with Integrated Distribution Services

An ordinary man is known as an average joe. So what do you call someone who specializes in Business Intelligence?
Our core business: Data Visualizations - effective and efficient business analytics can only be achieved when "data meets the eye".



Members

Picture Name Primary Role Secondary Role Background
Bijoe-yingda.jpg Tan Ying Da Application Developer Database Administrator Performance is important
Bijoe-weiquan.jpg Ng Wei Quan Application Developer Debugger Just got attached.
Bijoe-marcus.jpg Marcus Yap Business Development Wiki Designer, Tester Constantly looking for ways to improve
Bijoe-isaac.jpg Isaac Lim Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Debugger, Business Development Just got married. His daughter's name is Jessica.


And we are dead serious, no joke

Bijoe-singhong.jpg Sim Sing Hong Project Manager Quality Assurance, Tester Penultimate Year
Bsc (Information Systems Management)


Second Major:
Advanced Business Technology
with track in
Business Intelligence & Analytics


Role Responsibilities

Project Manager
    • Managing project scope, schedule, resources and architecture
    • Developing analytics module
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
    • Responsible for integrating various components of the applications
Business Development
    • Ensures functionalities fulfill the requirements from the client
    • Develop various advance techniques and features that will value-add to the client
Application Developer
    • Responsible for integrating various components of the applications
Database Administrator
    • Ensures that the database environment is being setup
    • Handles the database queries retrieval from the application
Debugger
    • Work closely with the developer to resolve bugs that surface during the development



Role Allocation

Prior coming together as a team, everyone has little or some working relation with one another. However, the team knows what is installed for them during this FYP. As such, we have decided to adopt the best fit model approach for role allocation in the team.

Using the best fit model, the team evaluated every individual on their strengths and limitations. With an open-minded environment and culture, everyone in the team shared their experiences and challenges. At the end of the sharing, the team sat together and evaluate how everyone can leverage on each other's strengths and compliment each other's shortcomings.


Project Overview

Project Title: Geospatial Dashboard for Integrated Distribution Services Analytics

Stakeholders

Stakeholder Name Designation Involvement Picture
Project Supervisor Dr. Zhu Feida Assistant Professor
School of Information Systems, SMU
Advise the team on project, direct the team along course guidelines. Zhufeida-bijoe.jpg
Project Sponsor Dr. Kam Tin Seong Practice Associate Professor
School of Information Systems, SMU
Provide the team with project specifications. Participate in Usability Assessment and provide feedback. Kamtinseong-bijoe.jpg
Client Nicholas Tan Director IT Application, IDS Group Malaysia Provide data and share information on current business solutions with the team.
Client Paul Fowler CIO, IDS Group Final review of application.
End Users IDS Group Employees Merchanising and Distribution Services Departments End Users.
End Users Business Principals of IDS Business Partners of IDS Group End Users.


IDS Background



IDS Logo.jpg

Integrated Distribution Services (Hong Kong)



The IDS Group is a leading integrated distribution and logistics services provider specializing in Value-Chain Logistics. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the IDS Group has an extensive logistics and distribution network in Greater China, ASEAN, the US and UK offering customized services to over 400 customers, including an array of multinational brands.

IDS offers a comprehensive Menu of Services ranging across the entire value chain from the conversion of raw material into finished goods in Manufacturing, through the international and in-country storage and movement of goods in Logistics, to the marketing and selling of goods to the end consumer in Distribution.

Logistics is the fundamental enabler that connects the Menu of Services to an end-to-end value chain. Our extensive and deep Asian logistics network and our US and UK logistics presence provide the platform on which to layer each of our Menu of Services along the value chain. We call this unique proposition Value-Chain Logistics.



Current AS-IS Model


Current-as-is-bijoe.jpg

TO-BE Model


To-be-model-bijoe.jpg


Objectives

To create a customizable Geospatial Dashboard that presents data in a meaningful format to assist IDS employees in decision-making.

Key features of a dashboard are

Track Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
Use the Dashboard in-memory database and scheduler to track the movement of your KPIs over time.

Monitor KPI’s Performance throughout your organisation
Push and track targets to every level in the organisation.

Drill down through charts to underlying detail.
Apply drill paths to your charts allowing you to drill down into the underlying detail. Quickly discover the root cause of trends.

Map Visualization.
Using Geospatial technology, allowing users to have an overview as well as micro-view of the various channels' location on the map.

View in any web browser.
View data in any browser: Firefox, IE, Chrome, Opera etc. No client software is required, Dashboard runs in Adobe Flash Player.

Project Scope

The system is a visualization tool that provides multi-dimensional and multi-granularity views of the data based on an interactive and dynamic location visualization support.

There are 4 aspects where the system aims to fulfill.

1. Geospatial
2. Visualization
3. Customization
4. Interactivity

The entire system can be summarizes into three different modules:


1. Geospatial Module

This module provides navigation functions and map visualization for the user to view and navigate the map.

Aspect Component
Geospatial Visualization

Map Visualization

  • Marker
    • Info bubble – show characteristic of the outlet with outlet image attached. Also allow user to upload image of outlet if it is wrong or unavailable.
    • Highlighting – marker will be highlighted when filter is being executed or hovering over the data visualization.

Data Visualization -
Customization

Dynamic Map ScaleImplement map scale that changes according to the zoom level.

Map Provider Selectionallows user to select their preferable map provider as well as reduce reliance on one map provider.

Icon Manager

  • Filter outlet – checkbox for user to shortlist the outlet they would like to see.
  • Icon selection – allows user to select the customized icon to represent particular outlet.
  • Upload customized icon – upload new customized icon.

Interactivity Navigation
  • Tool pad – Allows user to move up, down, left, right of the map.
  • Zoom Slider – Allows user to zoom in and out of particular region.
  • Home – Bring user back to default navigation settings.

Dynamic Map ScaleImplement map scale that changes according to the zoom level.


2. Data Module

This module provides views for data both in data visualization way as well as map visualization way.

Aspect Component
Geospatial -
Visualization

Data Visualization

  • TreeMap
  • Scatter Chart
  • Bar Chart
  • Line Chart
  • Column Chart
  • Area Chart

Users will be able to select different type of charts to best represent their data of interest and also view and filter unstructured quantitative data that are organized in hierarchies.


View Data – view whole data set in table form.

Customization

Time Series Recordto see data changes over time both on the data visualization and map visualization.

Snap shot – allow users to print geographic image to be shown in report.

Configuration – allow users to manipulate visualization options.

Interactivity -


3. Geospatial/Data Link Module

This module allows interactivity between Geospatial and Data module. Whenever user made a selection on a module, the other module will compliment the other module in other form of visualization.

Aspect Component
Geospatial -
Visualization -
Customization

Search by attributes – search data point according to categories, location or Key Performance Indicator.

Spatial search – perform search within x meter of the area on the given spot to find out if the promotion is effective around the area.

Interactivity

Focus Marker – when data is being selected at the data visualization, it will focus and zoom on the marker.



Project Management

Project Diagrams

UseCase BIJOE.png

Project Metrics

Bug Metric

Bug Metric v2.png

Bug Tracker

Bug Tracker

Schedule Metric

Schedule Metric v2.png

Project Schedule

Detailed project schedule of our team can be found at the link below.
Latest Project Schedule


Current Project Status

  • Iteration 6



Progress Summary

B.I.JOE has 5 members. Each member's daily working duration is 4 man-hours

Iteration 1

16 December 2010 - 23 December 2010 (Duration: 140 man-hours)

S/N Component Module Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date Status Remarks
1. Pan & Zoom Geospatial Module 16 Dec 2010 16 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
2. Multiple Map Provider Geospatial Module 16 Dec 2010 16 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
3. Screen Layout Geospatial Module 16 Dec 2010 16 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
4. Menu Bar Data Module 17 Dec 2010 17 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
5. Configuration Window Data Module 17 Dec 2010 17 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
6. Markers Placement Geospatial Module 17 Dec 2010 17 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
7. Information Panel Data Module 17 Dec 2010 17 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
8. Tool Pad Geospatial Module 16 Dec 2010 16 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
9. Map Scale Geospatial Module 17 Dec 2010 17 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
10. Load Data Point Geospatial/Data Link Module 17 Dec 2010 17 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
11. Focus Data Point Geospatial/Data Link Module 17 Dec 2010 17 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
12. Usability Studies 1 - 24 Dec 2010 24 Dec 2010 Completed Presented prototype to project sponsor: Prof Kam. Project to proceed with plan and schedule.


Iteration 2

28 December 2010 - 12 January 2011 (Duration: 240 man-hours)

S/N Component Module Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date Status Remarks
1. Home Button Design - 28 Dec 2010 28 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
2. Layout Design - 28 Dec 2010 28 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
3. Search: Location Geospatial Module 3 Jan 2011 2 Jan 2011 Completed Ahead of schedule by 1 day.
4. Search: KPI & Categories Data Module 3 Jan 2011 2 Jan 2011 Completed Ahead of schedule by 1 day.
5. Spatial Search Geospatial Module 6 Jan 2011 - Still in progress
Not required
Realize there is some conflicts with the data format provided by the client thus developing this function takes more than required time.
Client no longer require this function.
6. Tree Map: Testing of Algorithm Data Module 31 Dec 2010 31 Dec 2010 Completed Nil
7. Tree Map: Group & Nodes Creation Data Module 6 Jan 2011 12 Feb 2011 Still in progress
Completed
Drilling down of function encounter some technical difficulties thus requiring more time than required.
Component has been completed.
8. Usability Studies 2 - 13 Jan 2011 13 Jan 2011 Completed Nil


Iteration 3

13 January 2011 - 25 January 2011 (Duration: 200 man-hours)

S/N Component Module Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date Status Remarks
1. Implementation from Usability Studies 2 - 17 Jan 2011 16 Jan 2011 Completed Made changes based on the feedbacks received from the previous usability studies in iteration 2. however, we were able to complete ahead of schedule and thus, starting schedule ahead of time.
2. Treemap: Treemap Policy (Label & Highlighting) Data Module 19 Jan 2011 19 Jan 2011 Completed Nil
3. Treemap: Data Hierarchy Data Module 19 Jan 2011 19 Jan 2011 Completed -
4. Data Viewer Geospatial Module 18 Jan 2011 19 Jan 2011 Still in progress
Completed
Encounter some bug in trying to display the results in the viewer.
Bug solved.
5. Visualization Tab in Configuration Window Geospatial Module 18 Jan 2011 18 Jan 2011 Completed -
6. Usability Studies 3 - 26 Jan 2011 26 Jan 2011 Completed Received feedbacks on how we can improved on the screen layout and additional tools we can include for IDS


Iteration 4

27 January 2011 - 10 February 2011 (Duration: 220 man-hours)

S/N Component Module Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date Status Remarks
1. Implementation from Usability Studies 3 - 31 Jan 2011 29 Jan 2011 Completed Receive inputs from client such as minor change in cosmetic appearance of the layout.
2. Marker Highlight Geospatial Module 2 Feb 2011 9 Feb 2011 Still in progress
Completed
Ying Da was not in town for Chinese New Year visiting. As such, development of this feature has been delayed.
Completed
3. Dynamic Legend Geospatial/Data Module 2 Feb 2011 10 Feb 2011 Still in progress
Completed
Encounter some difficulty in developing this function.
Completed
4. Icon Manager Geospatial/Data Module 2 Feb 2011 2 Feb 2011 Completed -
5. Treemap: Filter List Data Module 4 Feb 2011 4 Feb 2011 Completed -
6. Treemap: Legend Data Module 4 Feb 2011 4 Feb 2011 Completed -
7. Scatter Chart: Layout & Render Plot Data Module 3 Feb 2011 3 Feb 2011 Completed -
8. Data Viewer with built-in Bullet Chart Data Module 5 Feb 2011 5 Feb 2011 Completed Last minute request by client. However, this feature has been completed and does not compromise iteration timeline.
9. Usability Studies 4 - 11 Feb 2011 7 Feb 2011 Completed Usability studies was conducted ahead of schedule because this is a video conference with the client in Hong Kong. Client is pleased with the current development and request for deployment of prototype on a test server. As such, the team has been trying to get the test server working and running.


Iteration 5

17 February 2011 - 04 March 2011 (Duration: 220 man-hours)

S/N Component Module Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date Status Remarks


Iteration 6

11 March 2011 - 25 March 2011 (Duration: 220 man-hours)

S/N Component Module Expected Completion Date Actual Completion Date Status Remarks


Team Calendar

Team Calendar


Key Milestones

Currently, the team is working towards to Mid Term Presentation in Week 7
Bijoe - important milestones.png

Project Documentation

Project Proposal

Proposal

Project Resources

Tools

FYP Resources.png
  • Development Environment: Flash Builder 4, Notepad++
  • Test Environment: Firefox, Chrome with Flash Player
  • SDK & Language: FLEX 3.5 (AS3), PHP
  • Libraries & APIs: Modest Map, Flare, Juicekit for Visual Analytics
  • Deployment: XAMPP
  • Database: PostgreSQL, PostGis
  • Project Management: MS Office, Google Cal, Google Docs, Dropbox, Subclipse
  • Graphics: Photoshop


Useful Resources

  • How to understand and read a treemap.[1]



Challenges Faced

Inconsistent Data Format

Client is co-operative and kind enough to provide us with operations data ranging from day-to-day to monthly transactions. This valuable data gives us an in-depth information and idea of the company’s operations. From the data, we are able to gather insights and identify what are some of the problems the company is facing.

However, the greatest challenge to our team is the inconsistent data provided by the various departments of the company. Every individual department has its own set of data and data dictionary. Together with the vast amount of data, cleaning up and massaging of data requires some time.


Converting of Data Language

IDS is based in Hong Kong. As such, most of the end-users are Chinese native. Parts of the data are being input using Chinese characters. As such, when using such data, we would have to ensure the conversion of the data from .xls format into .dbf, data is not being lost in the midst of it.


Treemap API

Treemap visualization is one of the key data visualization models in our project. Having to synchronize the treemap visualization with live data is one of the key challenge is our project.

There are several APIs that are open-source in the market. Each of them has their pros and cons and currently, we are evaluating and exploring each option.


Dynamic filter for Treemap


Translate application into mobile platform


Creating interactivity in drag & drop graphs from scratch



Team Reflections and Learning Outcomes

  • Identify key benefits of utilising visual analytics in a company.
  • Identify if a specific requirement is a functional or non-functional requirement.
  • Design and implement a spatial enabled business intelligence application prototype using real-life scenarios.
  • Identify key project implementation risks and propose possible solutions to minimise any risks identified.
  • Monitor project implementation schedule using a Gantt chart (MS Project).
  • Applied search for case studies, sample applications and coding examples from social media such as blogs, user forums.
  • The ability to handle spatially-enabled business data.
  • Understand the end users’ technical requirements.
  • Using development software such as Flex Builder to design RIA-based visual analytics application.
  • Have a better understanding on Flex 4, Flash Builder 4, PHP, Action-script 3 and Database.


Project Supervisor Meeting Minutes


DECEMBER

S/N Date Detailed Minutes Download Follow Up Actions from Meeting
1. 22 December 2010 Supervisor Meeting 01 blah blah blah


JANUARY

S/N Date Detailed Minutes Download Follow Up Actions from Meeting
1. 13 January 2011 Supervisor Meeting 02 blah blah blah
2. 21 January 2011 Supervisor Meeting 03 blah blah blah


FEBRUARY

S/N Date Detailed Minutes Download Follow Up Actions from Meeting
1. 11 February 2011 Supervisor Meeting 04 blah blah blah


Project Sponsor Meeting Minutes


DECEMBER

S/N Date Detailed Minutes Download Follow Up Actions from Meeting
1. 23 December 2010 Client Meeting 01 * Amend project requirement and schedule


JANUARY

S/N Date Detailed Minutes Download Follow Up Actions from Meeting
1. 5 January 2011 Client Meeting 02 * Client will send the necessary data and data structure to the team
* Schedule a video conference with IDS stakeholders
2. 12 January 2011 Client Meeting 03 * Client will be following up with the requests from the team
3. 19 January 2011 Client Meeting 04 * Include improvements and suggestions provided by Client
4. 26 January 2011 Client Meeting 05 blah blah blah


FEBRUARY

S/N Date Detailed Minutes Download Follow Up Actions from Meeting
1. 2 February 2011 Client Meeting 06 * Prepare video conference presentation schedule and deliverables
* Request for additional data to bring up database
2. 7 February 2011 Client Meeting 07 * Hold an internal meeting within the team to follow up with the requests from IDS Hong Kong
3. 9 February 2011 Client Meeting 08 * Decide to decline the request of changing the development application to be iPhone and iPad ready
4. 14 February 2011 Client Meeting 09 * Improvements must be reflected before mid term presentations


Design Considerations

Design Consideration