Process Control System (Application Development) for Transport Department

The purpose of building the system (PCS) for Transport Department - Driving Test Division, is to automate and computerize the driving test registration, allocation and result distribution process as well as to enable the candidate to be selected by the Examiner for testing under a strict randomly process.

Background
Transport Department - Driving Test Division, currently operate 16 Driving Test Center at various location within HK, providing administrative and registration services to the public who are going to take the driving test. Each center will normally handle around 60 - 100 candidates per day, consist of 5-8 Driving Examiners (DE) and manned by a Driving Test Center Supervisor (DTCS), he who will handle work such as candidate registration, DE allocation, result verification and distribution manually.

The system was developed to computerize the whole process, in addition, to keep track all the information and data enter by the DTCS, history and record keeping for candidate, management report generation as well as to make sure the DE allocate to the candidate in a strictly random process. Moreover, PCS also requires to integrate with the existing system to some extend.

Challenge
Alfacom Solutions was brought in to identify and solve the complicated operation issue.
A number of issues must be well addressed before lunching the system, such as, most users are not familiar with computer operation, and operation time is critical and limited. Secondly, a "Fairness" element must be applied to candidate registration and DE allocation process. Third, system security, record history and audit trial are among the major concerns. Last but not least, a simple yet reliable result input and verification process has to be in placed.

Solution
A client server system, including two PC servers, smart card readers, network printer and scanner, has been installed at each center.

In order to grasp with the operation procedure, site visit and detailed interview sessions have been conducted. To cater for a broad spectrum of user group, a very user friendly and well-navigated system has been designed. Next, to achieve the "fairness" element, an automatic rule base selection mechanism, which governed by various parameters, running continuously at the back of the application. To overcome the security issue, User ID, User privilege, password and smart card has been adopted, as well as the audit log and audit file will be kept for inspection. As for the automatic result verification, a fast speed scanner together with a set of matching rules have been integrated into the system. In addition, since all information kept in the centralized database, various management and statistical reports can be generated for review.

Why partner with Alfacom Solutions
Technical staff of Alfacom Solutions possesses diversified skills that are mandatory in designing the PCS system. Our team is very knowledgeable on client server application development, expertise on designing user interface together with the ability to understand and translate user requirement into a system that fit well to user's daily operation.

Project has been successfully delivered in time and within budget. Functions and features well exceeded the expectation of the Division. The system has been installed and operating at 16 Testing Centers, involving users more than 100 and handling records well over 1000 per day.

Business Benefits
By implementing the system, not only will increase the efficiency and enhance the overall imagine of the division to the general public, it will also give a better control to the management committee. Moreover, the originally design of the application already leave room for further enhancement, such as a 'completed' networked solution and centralized database at the Division's headquarter, thus, further integration with division's existing and legacy system can be achieved.

Key Components
Software component
* PCS system
* Microsoft Window 2000 Server
* Microsoft SQL Server 2000
* Remark Office OMR 5.0
* Smart Card Driver

Hardware component
* IBM NetVista
* HP Laser Jet Printer
* Avision Flatbed Scanner
* Smart Card Reader

Service element
* Application development and consultation
* System Implementation and maintenance