Unit 22: Databases for ecommerce (LEVEL 3)

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1 Unit 22: Databases for ecommerce (LEVEL 3) Learning outcomes By completing this unit candidates will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of the purpose and use of databases in ecommerce. This will include a study of a currently used database accessed through a website. Candidates will acknowledge the need for security of data, of the integrity of the dataset and dependence of an organisation on the dataset being maintained. They will demonstrate an awareness of Data Protection legislation and of guidelines to good practice in ecommerce. Candidates will produce evidence to meet the unit assessment objectives in order to show that they understand: the use of current examples of different databases accessed through websites benefits and drawbacks of databases accessed through websites different ecommerce technologies requirements and design of a database that is accessed through a website the hardware and software requirements for a database accessed through a website security requirements of databases accessed through websites integrity requirements of databases accessed through websites. It is anticipated that a candidate will require 60 guided learning hours to complete this unit. Assessment objectives 1 Identify and describe the use of current examples of different databases accessed through websites Knowledge, understanding and skills Stakeholders owner can: eg add entries remove entries edit product ranges change availability and prices upload new product images facilitate distance and international trading add security measures eg customer passwords, secure payment customer can: eg search by keywords eg names, product codes use multiple search criteria for more exact searching pay for goods/services A current overview of organisations that make use of databases accessed through websites: eg selling their own services/products auctioneers facilitators trading delivery of product or service (continued overleaf OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT 1

2 Assessment objectives 1 Cont. Identify and describe the use of current examples of different databases accessed through websites 2 Identify and describe, using examples, benefits and drawbacks of databases accessed through websites 3 Awareness of different ecommerce technologies 4 Analyse the legal implications and integrity requirements of databases accessed through websites. 5 Provide the users design requirements of a database for ecommerce to meet the needs of an organisation Knowledge, understanding and skills Database use: eg store data on company products/ online catalogue store data about customers store details on orders secure payment Transaction tracking: eg order/reference number invoice receipt Benefits: eg range of items volume of items descriptions of items search for items modify data efficient applications run faster Drawbacks: eg customer confidence/security issues malicious practices impersonal maintenance requirements management of large volume of traffic Technologies: eg MySQL CGI PHP ASP.NET Javascript Legal: eg protection of personal details relevance of data protection legislation Multi-user databases: eg lost transactions collisions concurrency control User: eg owner manager customer using the website Design requirements: eg HCIs (forms, reports) datasets (tables and relationships) (continued overleaf) 2 OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT

3 Assessment objectives 5 Cont. Provide the users design requirements of a database for ecommerce to meet the needs of an organisation 6 Identify, describe and evaluate suitable hardware, software and services to meet the needs of an organisation Knowledge, understanding and skills changes to dataset security measures transaction handling Suitable generic hardware web server Generic services: ISP Host Broadband (or similar) Database software: eg MySQL Oracle PHP Scripting Access Assessment This unit is centre assessed and externally moderated. In order to achieve this unit, candidates must produce a portfolio of evidence showing that they have met all of the assessment objectives. Portfolios of work must be produced independently. They will need to be made available, together with witness statements and any other supporting documentation, to the OCR Visiting Moderator when required. Centres must confirm to OCR that the evidence produced by candidates is authentic. An OCR Centre Authentication Form is provided in the Centre Handbook and includes a declaration for assessors to sign. It is a requirement of the QCA Common Criteria for all Qualifications that proof of authentication is received. Guidance on assessment and evidence requirements Candidates may provide portfolio evidence for this unit using a range of suitable and appropriate techniques. These may include written data, the use of video, audio presentation and slide presentations within the body of the portfolio and display evidence. Where presentations or displays have taken place for which evidence cannot be easily included within the portfolio evidence assessor testimony/witness statements must be included, signed by the assessor(s), and supported by appropriate evidence (handouts, slides etc). Centres may wish to organise a link with a local business and write an assignment accordingly. This may be useful in the early stages of the course. Assessment Objectives 1 to 4 will focus on research of current examples of ecommerce databases. This research should enable candidates to be able to design and make recommendations for an ecommerce database for a chosen organisation. OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT 3

4 Assessment Objectives 5 to 6 will focus on the candidate s recommended ecommerce database for a chosen business organisation. It is not expected that candidates create a working database. It is sufficient to design the database only. For Assessment Objective 1, in order to achieve this assessment objective, candidates are advised to use a range of websites from different businesses. Candidates must describe, using examples, how ecommerce databases are used by different businesses as outlined in knowledge, understanding and skills. For Assessment Objective 2, candidates will need to explain the benefits and drawbacks for businesses and customers using databases accessed through websites as outlined in knowledge, understanding and skills. They must carry out research and include examples from businesses. For Assessment Objective 3, using the knowledge, understanding and skills candidates need to demonstrate an awareness of different ecommerce technologies. Candidates could have practical experience of using some of these technologies. They should be able to identify when the technologies are used and what their purpose is. For Assessment Objective 4, candidates need to consider the legal requirements and considerations that must be made when setting up an ecommerce database. For example, organisations that collect personal information about their customers must follow guidelines. Candidates should also be aware of issues relating the online databases such as real time payment and ensuring that once a customer has accessed a database then another customer cannot access the same record so that theatre seats, for example, are not sold twice. For Assessment Objectives 5 and 6, candidates will need to be provided with a scenario for a business requiring an ecommerce database. This could be for an existing business or through the use of a scenario that has been created by the Centre. The chosen business must give candidates the opportunity to design the elements as outlined in the knowledge, understanding and skills. For Assessment Objective 6, candidates will need to identify suitable hardware, software and services for their chosen business. Candidates should also research each of these in order to come up with a recommendation. Signposting to Key Skills The unit contains opportunities for developing the Key Skill, and possibly for generating portfolio evidence, if teaching and learning is focused on that aim. Assessing staff will need to check each candidate s evidence against the specifications to ensure all evidence requirements have been met. Additional evidence may also be required. Key Skill reference Key Skill reference Key Skill reference C3.1a N3.1 ICT3.1 C3.1b N3.2 ICT3.2 C3.2 N3.3 ICT3.3 C3.3 4 OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT

5 Mapping to National Occupational Standards Occupational Standards (e-skills UK) Contact Centres IT User (for export to other sectors) IT User (for export to other sectors) IT User (for export to other sectors) IT User (for export to other sectors) Title Information Management Internet and intranets IT maintenance for users IT security for users Make selective use of IT Operate a computer Specialist or bespoke software Website software Data analysis and data structure design Investigating and defining requirements Managing people and resources (Imported Units) Managing software development Quality management of ICT products and services Security of ICT systems System management System operation Technical fault diagnosis Testing ICT systems General uses of IT Purposes for using IT Use IT software Use IT to exchange information Resources This section provides suggestions of suitable resources. The list is neither prescriptive nor exhaustive, and candidates should be encouraged to gather information from a variety of sources. Some suggested resources are intended for Tutor use. The resources in this section were correct at the time of production. OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT 5

6 Books Reynolds, J (2005) Reynolds, J (2005) The Complete ECommerce Book: Design, Build and Maintain a Successful Web-Based Business Amazon Logistics & Fulfillment for E-Business : A Practical Guide to Mastering Back Office Functions for Online Commerce Amazon 6 OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT

7 Grading Assessment Objective AO1 Identify and describe the use of current examples of different databases accessed through websites AO2 Identify and describe, using examples, benefits and drawbacks of databases accessed through websites AO3 Awareness of different ecommerce technologies AO4 Analyse the legal implications and integrity requirements of databases accessed through websites. Pass Merit Distinction Candidates briefly describe how databases in websites are used by businesses, supported by few examples and based on limited research. Candidates briefly explain at least two benefits and at least two drawbacks to accessing databases through websites, supported by few examples and based on limited research. Candidates provide a simple explanation that shows limited understanding of ecommerce technologies. The explanation will be supported by few examples. Candidates explain two legal aspects of conducting ecommerce through a website. Candidates define lost transactions in a multi-user database. Candidates identify the hazards of reading from a dataset and conducting activities on it. Candidates describe in detail how databases in websites are used by businesses, supported by a range of examples and based on research. Candidates explain in detail at least four benefits and at least four drawbacks to accessing databases through websites, supported by a range of current examples and based on research. Candidates provide a clear explanation that shows some understanding of ecommerce technologies. The explanation will be supported by appropriate examples. Candidates explain two legal aspects of conducting ecommerce through a website. The explanation will be supported with examples. Candidates define lost transactions in a multi-user database. Candidates clearly describe, using examples, the hazards of reading from a dataset and conducting activities on it. Candidates provide a comprehensive description of how databases in websites are used by businesses, supported by a wide range of examples and based on extensive research. Candidates provide a comprehensive evaluation of the benefits and drawbacks to accessing databases through websites, supported by a wide range of current examples and based on extensive research. Candidates provide a detailed explanation that shows a good understanding of ecommerce technologies. The explanation will be supported by a variety of well chosen examples. Candidates explain two legal aspects of conducting ecommerce through a website. The explanation will be supported with examples. Candidates define lost transactions in a multi-user database. Candidates thoroughly describe, using a variety of examples, the hazards of reading from a dataset and conducting activities on it. They clearly explain the value of tracking transactions. OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT 7

8 Assessment Objective AO5 Provide the users design requirements of a database for ecommerce to meet the needs of an organisation AO6 Identify, describe and evaluate suitable hardware, software and services to meet the needs of an organisation Pass Merit Distinction Candidates state user requirements, for a database accessed through a website, from the point of view of a customer using the website. They design the HCI as a minimum. Candidates identify the hardware and software requirements to meet the needs of an organisation. Candidates may identify a suitable ISP. Candidates state user requirements, for a database accessed through a website, from the points of view of a customer using and a manager controlling a database. They design the HCI and the datasets as a minimum. Candidates identify the hardware and software requirements to meet the needs of an organisation. They make some evaluation of the hardware and software. Candidates identify a suitable ISP with justification. Candidates explain reasonable functional requirements for users of a database accessed through websites. They will relate their evidence to a current example. They design the HCI, the datasets and transaction/order handling as a minimum. Candidates identify the hardware and software requirements to meet the needs of an organisation. They will make some evaluation of the hardware and software. Candidates analyse aspects of database activity that must be supported on the website. Candidates identify a suitable ISP with justification. 8 OCR Level 3 Nationals in ICT