BEMM459 Database Technologies for Business Analytics
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BEMM459 Database Technologies for Business Analytics
This document outlines the conception and implementation of SavePlate, a dynamic platform designed to connect supermarkets with consumers for the purpose of selling near-expiry products at discounted prices.
Submitted By Group U
9410077300
BEMM459 Database Technologies for Business Analytics
This document outlines the conception and implementation of SavePlate, a dynamic platform designed to connect supermarkets with consumers for the purpose of selling near-expiry products at discounted prices.
Submitted By Group U
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction to SAVEPLATE: Bridging Sustainability and Savings
Background
OBJECTIVE
BUSINESS FUNCTIONS
USER CASE SCENARIO
Justification for Database Choice
ASSUMPTIONS
Additional Relevant Information
RDBMS
Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagram
INTRODUCTION TO SAVEPLATE: Bridging Sustainability and Savings
In an era where sustainability and cost-saving are paramount, SavePlate emerges as a visionary platform aimed at revolutionizing the way we approach food consumption, waste, and retail efficiency. At its core, SavePlate is designed to bridge a critical gap between supermarkets with surplus, near-expiry products and consumers seeking to save on groceries while contributing to a more sustainable world.
1.1 BACKGROUND
The global challenge of food waste is not just an environmental issue but a social and economic concern. With a third of all food produced going to waste, the implications span wasted resources, increased carbon emissions, and missed opportunities to address food scarcity. Simultaneously, consumers are increasingly seeking ways to economize while making environmentally conscious choices. SavePlate is conceived as a response to these multifaceted challenges, offering a platform where sustainability and savings converge.
1.2 OBJECTIVE
The primary goal of SavePlate is to develop a platform that aggregates near-expiry products from multiple supermarkets within a user-defined vicinity, offering them at discounted prices. This innovative approach aims to:
Reduce food waste by providing a channel for supermarkets to sell products nearing expiry.
Assist supermarkets in managing inventory more efficiently, turning potential losses into opportunities.
Offer consumers significant cost-saving opportunities on grocery purchases, promoting sustainable consumption habits.
1.3 BUSINESS FUNCTIONS
SavePlate operates at the nexus of technology, sustainability, and commerce, with its business functions intricately designed to address and capitalize on the urgent need for reducing food waste while facilitating consumer savings and effective inventory management for supermarkets. The key business functions include:
Inventory Management for Supermarkets: SavePlate enables supermarkets to list near-expiry items on the platform, aiding in the rapid clearance of stock that might otherwise go to waste.
Consumer Savings: By accessing discounted products through SavePlate, consumers can significantly reduce their grocery bills while making purchases that contribute to sustainability.
Food Waste Reduction: Central to SavePlates mission, the platform directly addresses the issue of food waste, facilitating the consumption of food items that are still within their consumption period but close to expiry.
1.4 USER CASE SCENARIO
Ethan, a University of Exeter, student living on a tight budget, uses SavePlate to find affordable groceries. He opens the SavePlate app and sets his search to find discounted, near-expiry items within a 5-mile radius of his apartment. The app displays a list of available products from various nearby supermarkets, including bread, milk, and vegetables, all at reduced prices due to their approaching expiry dates. Ethan selects required items and reserves them through the app, then heads to the supermarket to pick them up, saving money while also contributing to the reduction of food waste.
1.5 Justification for Database Choice
For SavePlate, the choice of databases is crucial for handling different aspects of the application effectively:
RDBMS (e.g., PostgreSQL): Selected for its robustness in managing structured data. It's ideal for storing and organizing fixed-format data such as user profiles, product listings, supermarket details, and transaction records. RDBMS supports complex queries, transactions, and ensures data integrity, which is essential for the core operational functions of SavePlate.
NoSQL Database (MongoDB): Chosen for its flexibility and scalability, MongoDB is ideal for handling unstructured or semi-structured data, such as user-generated content, reviews, and logs of user activity on the platform. Its schema-less nature allows for the rapid development and iteration of features that enhance user experience and engagement.
1.6 ASSUMPTIONS
Supermarkets and consumers are increasingly adopting digital solutions for shopping and inventory management.
There is a growing consumer interest in sustainability and affordable shopping options.
Regulatory environments are supportive of selling near-expiry food products at reduced prices.
1.7 Additional Relevant Information
The success of SavePlate hinges on a robust technological infrastructure, strategic partnerships with supermarkets, and effective marketing strategies to engage consumers. The platform leverages real-time data analytics to offer personalized recommendations to users, enhancing their shopping experience while optimizing the inventory clearance process for supermarkets. By integrating RDBMS for structured data management and NoSQL for flexible, scalable user engagement data handling, SavePlate embodies a polyglot persistence approach, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and responsiveness in its operations.
2. RDBMS
Let's construct an Entity-Relationship (ER) diagram and proceed to a Logical Database Design based on the use case scenario for SavePlate. This scenario involves consumers like Ethan finding and purchasing near-expiry food products from various supermarkets at discounted prices through the SavePlate platform.
2.1 Entity-Relationship (ER) Diagram
The ER diagram for SavePlate will include the following entities and relationships:
