Online Booking Systems (Cambridge International IGCSE ICT)
Spec point —
6.5.1
Online Booking Systems
What is an online booking system?
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An online booking system is a computer system that allows customers to purchases tickets for events online
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Examples of industries that make use of these systems include:
- Travel- booking flights, hotels and package holidays
- Music- Reserving tickets for live music events
- Film- Booking cinema tickets, allowing customers to pick a seat
- Sport- Purchasing tickets to sporting events, choosing their view
Advantages and disadvantages of online booking systems
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Convenience and accessibility (24/7 booking) | Potential for technical issues and downtime |
| Instant confirmation and ticketing | Possible security and privacy concerns |
| Ability to compare prices and options | Transaction and booking fees |
| Promotions and personalised offers | Impersonal and less tailored customer service |
| Faster to change/cancel | Internet connected devices required |
| Automated reminders via email/text | Staff may lose their job |
| Repeated bookings can easily be made | |
| Staff are freed up to do other things |
Case Study Reserving a seat to watch a film at the cinema.
After the user logs in the following process takes place
- Customer selects the film they want to watch
- Customer chooses a date
- The database is searched and times and availability are displayed on the screen
- Customer chooses a suitable time
- The screen seating chart is displayed, showing available/taken seats
- Customer clicks on an available seat
- Total price is displayed on the screen
- Customer can choose another seat or click confirm to continue to payment
- Seat(s) are temporarily made unavailable for booking by any other user
- Customer checks personal details are correct and enters payment information
- Payment is taken and confirmation message is displayed
- Payment receipt and QR code (e-ticket) are emailed
- Database is updated to make seats unavailable
Worked Example RockIT Airlines representatives use a computer booking system to book flights for customers. A representative from the airline types in the customer reference number, the number of passengers, departure time, departure date, departure airport and the destination airport.
Describe the processing and outputs involved in making the booking.
[6]
Answer
Six of:
Final answer: Display flights available [1] The booking database is searched for the customer reference number [1] A matching record is retrieved [1] Details of the customer are displayed on the screen [1] The booking database is searched for matching departure airports [1] The booking database is searched for matching destination airports [1] If the flight correct, the date/time found [1] Search if seats/tickets/flights available [1] If unavailable error message output [1] Outputs the price [1] If seats are available, flags seat as booked [1] If not booked then the flag removed [1] Reduces the number of seats/tickets available by the number booked [1] E-ticket/ticket details are output [1] E-ticket/ticket details sent to customer [1] A receipt is printed//Verification email sent [1]
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