Sri Lanka Android Pizza app

This is a prototype of the application which we plan to develop for Pizza Hut. Note that this application is not a complete application.

The data for the pizzas are loaded from the Internet, enabling real time updates. Also the application uses Google Maps to detect the delivery location and delivery points and other usability techniques and latest technologies to provide the Pizza Hut customer a better service.

In the final version we expect to deliver a fully working application.

Testing the Prototype

The application data is not bind to the application, it feeds it's data from a XML file hosted on the internet, parses the XML data and displays. Therefore the application does not have to any version upgrades if the data changes.

We hope to introduce lazyload feature in which the time consuming data such as images will load to the interface in a separate thread increasing the usability.

Challenges in real world

Developing a system for the real world use is not like developing a system for a university project. If it is a university you don't have think anything like component re-usability, extend-ability, flexibility with changes etc..

But in real world you must develop your product to match the real customer needs. You must satisfy your customer otherwise you won't get paid. The product should flexible enough with the changes the client introduces. Simplicity must be promoted and complexity must be reduced because you're not the one who will work with the system on the product's lifeline. There are many aspects to think about. Below I Pointed out some specific things needs to be considered when developing for restaurant chain ordering system.

• The products might change anytime. The application must support changeability

• New functions might be added. The product source code must provide extendable interfaces to adapt to those future functionality changes.

• The product should support state of the art technologies. Smart phone market always introduces new technologies and features and the system should be adapt to that

• Version Control system must be kept to track version changes, releases, and modifications by developers

• Market should be analyzed and usability techniques, heuristic analysis must be used to track the customer satisfactions.

• Putting a light survey button would be useful to track the service satisfication. A feedback form would also be benifitlal but the designers should be aware that these are not priority user tasks and always should provide as a alternative flow.

The Project

The target of our project was to develop a smart phone application. We selected Phone based food ordering system for a company in Sri Lanka, which actually is a well known brand in the world. One of our target was to gradually expand the facilities offered by the application and make it customizable.