Shell Step Placement Presentation

Staying AwayPatrick Horne

Introduction

What I was asked to do. How I did it. What the company got out if it. What I got out of it. Financial Benefits to Company. Recommendations and Conclusions.

About MeI am currently studying B.Sc. (Hons.) Software Engineering 2nd year University of Central LancashireWorking at Staying Away

12 weeks placement

Staying Away 27,000 Hotels and apartments worldwide in

over 60 countries Selling accommodation online

(http://www.stayingaway.co.uk) Package deals available on phone

I-know“I know” targets specific regions:-

http://www.iknow-majorca.co.uk http://www.iknow-canaryislands.co.uk http://www.iknow-portugal.co.uk

My ProjectCreate two systems

Markup System Subscription Email System

Markup SystemObjectivesA flexible system that would allow control of

markup: By Location (Region,Resort / City, Hotels) By Seasons (winter and summer) By Net Cost Wanted Safeguards to ensure minimum

profits

To make both systems I used PHP (server-side language) MYSQL (database language) SFTP (a way of accessing the webserver) User centred design and OOP.

Markup System

Extremely flexibleallowing severalmarkup rules to be set up at once

Targets existing customers

Allows users to sign up online

Email Subscription

What I got out of it A fantastic opportunity to learn new skills Practice interview techniques Improve PHP, MYSQL and web design Learn about the travel industry Become more confident and improve

communication skills Work with a dynamic small team all striving to

be profitable, competitive and forward thinking Short term contract with company until I return

to University and possibility of being a full time developer for them from Summer 2008

Excellent reference

Advantages for company A sophisticated System. Gives the company the ability to react

to any changes in the market. Gives a competitive edge against most

of their online competitors An email market system that allows the

company to target existing customers with offers that will be of interest to them

Financial Benefits to the company In-house development of system which

would have cost £10k if outsourced Acquired a system at least 2 years ahead

could have been expected Accelerated the growth of the business A system which will help the company

increase it profits in the next 3 years.

Recommendations Further refinement to make the system

more efficient. Use Smarty Library Cross Platform testing to improve

compatibility with IE

Conclusion Enjoyed the summer of 2007. Left company knowing I have done a good

job and left them with a system that works and will help the company grow.

Shell Steps supported me and matched my skills extremely well to the requirements of the company.

Learnt lots from team, had fun and would recommend the Shell Steps Project to any undergraduate.

References www.davidniblack.com/templates/ www.tinymce.org

Any Questions?