Online Booking Systems (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Online Booking Systems
What is an online booking system?
An online booking system is a computer system that allows customers to purchases tickets for events online
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:
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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