Implementing CMS in Vigil Security

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

No one ends an academic journey without support and help, especially in this time of closure, so I must recognize and acknowledge the help of all. Among these people I would like to thank my supervisor J. M and my tutor R. L. for their invaluable help, support and guidance which were essential to achieve all the objectives. I would like also to thank Vigil Security Ltd. for their support in supplying information of their company.

DECLARATION

I, (Your Name), declare that the following thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and stance on the topic and it does not represent the opinion of the University.

ABSTRACT

This project is based on a case study with the main goal of the development of an information system for Vigil Security, which supports their delivery of service and selling of products through the internet. This system consists of two databases, one s MySQL and the other in MSSQL.

Regarding the database, a communication system has been implemented between one existing server in the company (with a MSSQL where products and customers data are allocated) and a new server (wherein the website and a MySQL database are allocated). This communication system performs data exchange in order to maintain two-way synchronization of customer data, products and orders in the two databases, by using technologies such as web services and triggers.

The website is composed by a front-end and back-end. The back-end allows the administration of Vigil Security to manage group of users, products with different prices per users, orders, and all content available on the website. It also provides a dynamic management feature. The front-end is all the content available for the user's interaction, and is composed of ordering products components, service, help desk, downloads, news about the company and dynamic feature area.

Table of Contents

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Background of the Research1

1.2 Research Objectives2

1.3 Research Aim3

1.4 Structure of the Project4

CHAPTER 2: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY5

CHAPTER 3: THEORETICAL CONCEPTS6

3.1 Joomla6

3.1.1 Installation and Use8

3.1.2 Advantages and Disadvantages9

3.2 Web Services10

3.3 Triggers11

3.4 Model-View-Controller Architecture13

Controller Class13

Model Class13

View Class13

3.4.1 Web Applications Based On MVC Architecture14

3.4.2 Joomla MVC15

CHAPTER 4: VIGIL SECURITY - COMPANY DESCRIPTION17

4.1 The Company and Its Clients17

4.2 Vigil Security's System18

4.3 New Vigil Security's System19

4.3.1 Joomla Components Installed19

4.3.1.1 VirtueMart20

4.3.1.2 Huru Helpdesk21

4.3.1.3 Remository22

CHAPTER 5: DATABASES SYNCHRONIZATION MECHANISM24

5.1 Description of the Problem24

5.2 Export Data from Vigil security's Sever to Website's Server25

5.2.1 ODBC Driver Installation25

5.2.2 PHP scripts Implementation29

5.3 Development of the Synchronization Mechanism36

5.3.1 Communication between the Site Server and VC Server37

CHAPTER 6: DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEBSITE41

6.1 Joomla Configuration41

6.2 Dynamic Features Component43

CHAPTER 7: CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS46

CHAPTER 8: PERSONAL STATEMENT48

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Research

The resources that support the Internet have been suffering a number of significant improvements which led to a considerable growth of users and of systems based on web structure. The currently worldwide population is based on 6.9 billion people and about 32.7% (2.2 billion) of these people uses the Internet.

This Internet globalization encourages various organizations ...