ClO GrBGOl]'hC^^Si

Universiti Teknologi MARA

The Development of Hotel Reservation System Via SMS

Nurul Hidayah Binti Hassan

Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for Bachelor of Science (Hons) Information Technology

Faculty of Information Technology And Quantitative Science

October 2004

DECLARATION

I certify that this thesis and the research to which it refers are the product of my own work and that any ideas or quotation from the work of other people, published or otherwise are fully acknowledged in accordance with the standard referring practices of the discipline.

OKTOBER, 2004 NURUL HID AY AH HASSAN 2002325288

COPYRIGHT UiTM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the name of Allah, God the Almighty, Most Gracious and Most Merciful for allowing me to accomplish this project successfully.

This report is the outcome of months of works by me in doing the project on Hotel Reservation via SMS. It is therefore difficult for me to name all the people who have directly or indirectly helped me in completing this project. For those people that I about to omit, I apologize now.

Firstly, I owe my gratitude to Pn Zarina Bt Zainol, my supervisor for his patience, understanding and supportive in guiding me on doing this project. I would like to take this opportunity also to express my deepest gratitude to my most caring and understanding mother, Pn Maskanah Bt Anuar. Thanks for all of your never-ending love, support and encouragement in my life. Without her support I won't be where I am now. My sincere gratitude also goes to all my friends, especially to En Abu Bakar Mohamed, who always been there for me in the time of need.

Once again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart. You are all special people. God bless.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

ABSTRACT

The wireless technology grows very rapidly and it has become very important in our life. This technology is giving many new opportunities to us and makes our life easier. One of the wireless technologies devices that are well known is mobile phone. With the mobile phone, there is an SMS application that allows users to send short message. Because of the crucial advantages of SMS, many organizations use this technology in order to provide services to their customers. Therefore, we were called to create a new service, which is hotel reservation by using SMS for Hotel UiTM. This prototype allows customers to send an SMS message if they want to make a reservation. By developing this service, it can simplify the work and not wasting much time and costs. It can be conclude that this service can give convenient to customer and this system can be enhanced in the future by using other form of technologies to make it more efficient.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i ABSTRACT ii LIST OF TABLES vii LIST OF FIGURES viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

Background of the Problem Problem Statement Objectives of Study Research Question Significance of Study Conclusion

CHAPTER TWO: THEORETICAL CONSIDERATION

2.1 2.2

2.3

Introduction Project Framework 2.2.1 Input Process 2.2.2 Processing the Data 2.2.3 Output Process Conclusion

CHAPTER THREE: LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 Introduction 3.2 Definition of Pertinent Terminology

3.2.1 Wireless Technology

2

3

5 5 6 6 7 7

COPYRIGHT UiTM

3.2.2 GSM 9 3.2.3 SMS 10 3.2.4 SMS Application 10 3.2.5 How SMS Work 12 3.2.6 Advantage of Using SMS 13 3.2.7 Three tier Architecture 14 3.2.8 Microsoft Visual Basic 14 3.2.9 Apache 15 3.2.10 PHP-Hypertext Preprocessor 15 3.2.11 MySQL 16 3.2.12 Dreamweaver MX 17

3.3 Similar Approach to Solve Different Problem 3.3.1 SMS and Remote Helpdesk System 18 3.3.2 Automatic Prayer Time Via SMS 18 3.3.3 Computer Event Communication via Mobile SMS 19

CHAPTER FOUR: RESEARCH METHOD

4.1 Introduction 20 4.2 Data Collection 21 4.3 Data Analysis 21

4.3.1 Approach 21 4.3.2 Hardware Requirement 22 4.3.3 Software Requirement 23

4.4 Designing a Model 24 4.5 Create Interface and Coding 24

4.5.1 Create Database 25 4.5.2 Create Interface 25 4.5.3 Write a Coding 26

4.6 Implementation and Testing 26 4.7 Conclusion 27

COPYRIGHT UiTM

CHAPTER FIVE: SYSTEM DESIGN

5.1 Introduction 28

5.2 Create Database 28

5.2.1 Table Login 29

5.2.2 Table Room 29

5.2.3 Table Queue 30 5.2.4 Table Store 30

5.3 Hotel UiTM Website 31

5.4 Hotel Reservation System 33

5.4.1 Main Page 33

5.4.2 Reservation Page 34

5.4.3 Check-In Page 34

5.4.4 Check-Out Page 34

5.4.5 Help and Logout Page 34

5.5 Use Case Diagram 35

5.6 Conclusion 36

CHAPTER SIX: IMPLEMENTATION

6.1 Introduction 37

6.2 SMS Send Method from the Client 37

6.3 Action Taken After Receive the Message 39

6.4 SMS ALERT Software 41 6.5 Conclusion 44

CHAPTER SEVEN: DISCUSSION AND FINDING

7.1 Introduction 45 7.2 Findings of the Project 45

COPYRIGHT UiTM

7.2.1 Software Used to Implement the SMS Service 45 7.2.2 How Does the SMS Service Work 46 7.2.3 Significance of the SMS Service 47

7.3 Conclusion 50

CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

8.1 Introduction 51 8.2 Conclusion 51 8.3 Limitation and Constraint 52 8.4 Recommendation 52

REFERENCES 54

APPENDICES

Appendix A 57

Appendix B 62

Appendix C 69

Appendix D 73

COPYRIGHT UiTM

LIST OF TABLES

CHAPTER 4

4.1

4.2

4.3

CHAPTER 5

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

5.5

Hardware Used for This Project Software Used for This Project List of Tables in the Database

Table used in the System

Table Login

Table Room

Table Queue Table Store

22

23

25

28

29

29

30

30

vn COPYRIGHT UiTM

LIST OF FIGURES

CHAPTER 2

2.1

CHAPTER 4

4.1

CHAPTER 5

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

CHAPTER 6

6.1

6.2

6.3

6.4

6.5

6.6

6.7

6.8

6.9

CHAPTER 7

7.1

7.2

7.3

7.4

7.5

Framework of The Proj ect 5

Methodology for Hotel Reservation System Project 20

Homepage of Hotel UiTM Website 31

Sub Screen for Hotel UiTM Website 32

Login Form 33

Use Case Diagram for Hotel Reservation System 35

The Message Compose from the Customer 37

Example of Send SMS Message for Reservation 38

Advertisement of SMS Service on Hotel UiTM Website 38

First Step Taken After Receive Message 39

Second Step Taken After Receive Message 40

Process of Sending Message to Mobile Phone 41

SMS Alert Interface 42

Function to Capture Data from Database 43

Function to Detect Phone Connection 44

SMS Alert Software 46

SMS Alert Capture Data From Database 47

Process of booking rooms using conventional method 48

Process of booking rooms using online reservation 49 Process of booking rooms using SMS technology 50

viu COPYRIGHT UiTM

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of The Problem

Wireless technologies become very popular and acceptable among people

nowadays. With the existing of this technology, there are lots of applications

that can make our life easier. The wireless technologies are giving many new

opportunities to people. Wireless data technologies such as Short Message

Service (SMS) allow consumers to communicate anytime, and from any location. One of the wireless technologies devices that are well known is

mobile phone. With the mobile phone, there is an SMS application that allows

users to send short message to other people.

"SMS is a wireless communication mechanism that has the ability to

send and receive text messages to and from mobile phones." It can be used in

various ways to save time and money. The SMS also can be used to deliver a

wide range of information to mobile phone users from share prices, weather,

flight information, news headlines, jokes, horoscopes, info solat and many more. Essentially, any information that fits into a short message can be

delivered by SMS.

Because of the crucial advantages of SMS, many organizations use this

technology in order to provide services to their customers. As the wireless

technologies become more advance from time to time, the SMS services can

now be send from website to the mobile phone and it become a very powerful

business communication services.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

1.2 Problem Statement

Presently, there are lots of hotel's web sites that provide a service for rooms reservation online. Besides traditional means of using the telephone and responding to walk-ins to make a reservation for hotel, most people prefer to use a new technology such as using email or do it online in any hotel's web site.

Conventional method of hotel reservation like using the telephone may have problems when the phone line is busy or the particular staff did not attend the call. The distance is also a contributing problem to this case especially if the place is quite far. People have to travel to that place just to make a reservation. It can be said that by using the conventional ways, time and money will be wasted.

Using a new technology like email or online reservation also may have constraints. The reservation cannot be made if there are no computers or Internet services. It is also difficult if they are on the road and they don't have a wireless device to make a reservation.

This research is about to develop a Short Messaging Systems (SMS) for hotel reservation at Hotel UiTM in order to minimize the problems that are stated above. People can simply make a reservation by write a message on their mobile phone. People required to write their name, check in date and number of rooms and then send their message to a number specified.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

1.3 Objectives of Study

The objectives of this study are:

1. To develop a hotel reservation system by using SMS technology. 2. To ease people to make a reservation without calling the hotel or even

go to the hotel themselves. 3. To give an immediate response to the customer after makes a

reservation.

1.4 Research Question

The research questions for this project are:

1. What is the software used to implement the SMS service in the system? 2. How does the SMS service work with the system?

1.5 Significant of Study

By developing a service for hotel reservation system using SMS, it can help people to find the availability of the room and make a reservation without going to the hotel. By using SMS, it can simplify the work and not wasting much time. Moreover, it is a cheap solution rather than to make a phone call or filling a form. This service is ideal for last minute holiday or weekend vacations. People can make the reservation while on the way.

Customers who use this service have to write their name, check in date, and number of rooms required on their mobile phone and sends the message to a specific number. Customers will then be informed whether the reservation have been approved or rejected.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

The ability to deliver information to, from, and between wired systems and wireless devices, offers enterprises a new way to build customer loyalty, improve productivity and provide very convenient business environment.

Most people have mobile phone, since mobile phone is a need nowadays. So, the system can be used by anyone whenever they want to make a hotel reservation. Hence, there are no boundaries for people to use this SMS service.

1.6 Conclusion

After reading the objectives, project scope and the problem significance that has been elaborated previously, it is hoped that the point stated for this introduction will be a guideline to complete the project successfully.

Besides that, it is hoped that the readers who will evaluate the thesis will have a basic idea about this study entitled Hotel Reservation System Development via SMS technology.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

CHAPTER 2

THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

2.1 Introduction

This chapter discusses the theoretical underpinnings of the study and their relationship with the conceptual framework of this project.

2.2 Project Framework

Figure below shows the framework of this project.

Client (Input - Apply for

room via SMS)

T ^ ^ ^

Output- Reply approval

Web browser

Web Server (Process - Store the data and

respond for approval)

Datsihnsp

Figure 2.1 - The framework of the project

COPYRIGHT UiTM

This project is a three-tier architecture that consists of client, web server and a database. Basically there are three phases involved in this project. First phase is user input by request for reservation using SMS technology to the web server. Second phase involved the process of receiving the message, how the data stored in the database and how it responds with the incoming message. The third phase is web server will reply the incoming message to the users to give the response.

2.2.1 Input Process

From the figure above, the process begins when users as a client can browse the web browser of Hotel UiTM. The website contain an advertisement of the new service that allow them to make a reservation via SMS. Users can send the SMS messages from their mobile phone to the system in order to make a reservation. The message from the user is considered as the input for this project. The message should contain the data in the specific format such as .

2.2.2 Processing the Data

Once the user sends the message, the data will be received by the mobile phone that is connected to the server. The system administrator then will read the message and check the availability rooms in the hotel to give response to the particular person who want to make a reservation. If there are rooms available, system administrator will reply the information needed to the customer. The data that want to be sent will automatically stored in two tables in the database, which is table room and table queue as a temporary storage before the data send to customer.

For reply the message to customer, it need SMS Alert software that enable the data to be sent directly from the system to user's mobile phone. SMS Alert will capture data from the temporary storage in the database and it will automatically send it to customer.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

2.2.3 Output Process

After the data are reads out from the database, it will then be send to the user as a respond for the application. The message will pass through the telephone line that has been connected with the server using Nokia data cable. User will get the message immediately for confirmation and information about the room that they have successfully reserve.

2.3 Conclusion

Through this chapter, it has explained briefly about the framework of how this project works. In can be conclude that, this project is a three tier architecture, which are involve client or web browser, web server and the database. The detail explanation about each step involved in this project will be discussed in Chapter 6.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

CHAPTER 3

LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 Introduction

Wireless technologies are playing an increasingly prominent role in the global Internet infrastructure. Wireless data technologies, such as instant messaging and Short Message Service ("SMS") systems, allow consumers to communicate anytime, and from many locations. Regarding to this scenario, the SMS technology has seen unprecedented growth in the last few years. SMS can be used in various ways to save time and money. It can be used in marketing, advertising, getting information like info solat, flight information, summons, news headlines, reservation and many more.

Since the increasingly growth of the SMS technology and seems like anybody can afford to have a mobile phone, we were called to propose a new prototype of SMS technology for hotel reservation in order to provide better services in booking rooms. People can simply make a reservation by write a message on their mobile phone and send to a specific number and they can get the reply immediately.

The traditional method of hotel reservation like using the telephone may have problems when the phone line is busy or the particular staff did not answer the call. The distance is also a contributing problem to this case especially if the place is quite far. Using a new technology like email or online reservation also can have constraints. The reservation cannot be made if there are no computers or Internet services. It is also difficult if they are on the road and they don't have a wireless device to make a reservation.

COPYRIGHT UiTM

3.2 Definition of Pertinent Terminology

3.2.1 Wireless Technology

Wireless data technologies include instant messaging, paging technology, and SMS messages (text messages transmitted over the wireless network and displayed on wireless phones). SMS systems enable subscribers to receive voicemail notification, digital pages, personal messages, and informational services like stock quotes, sports scores, weather, and traffic. (Jason Pavona, February 2002)

For such a simple service, SMS has become a major driver in postpaid and prepaid wireless markets. Regarding to Mark. S Thompson, once a neglected offering, SMS is now a key part of marketing strategies for wireless service providers in North America and around the world. (Mark S. Thompson, April 2002)

3.2.2 GSM

GSM (Global System for Mobile) is the pan-European standard for digital cellular telephone service. GSM networks will be built as an alternative to current AMPS systems and in the future and will support enhanced data applications. GSM was designed for European markets to provide the advantage of automatic, international roaming in muhiple countries. The SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card is a vital component in GSM operation. The user can store all relevant data for the phone on a removable plastic card. The card can be plugged into any GSM compatible phone and the phone is instantly personalized to the user. (Nigel Cawthorne, 1999)

COPYRIGHT UiTM

3.2.3 SMS

Short message service is a mechanism of delivery of short messages over the

mobile networks. It is a store and forward way of transmitting messages to and

from mobiles. (Laurie Ballet, 2001). SMS was an accidental success that took nearly everyone in the mobile industry by surprise. SMS is one of the few

services in consumer history that has grown very fast without corresponding

decreases in pricing. Usually, even in the case of voice mobile phones, price

reductions in the cost of the phones and phone service have led to increases in

usage. (Dr. Subrahmanyam Karuturi, 2002)

3.2.4 SMS Application

It is possible to develop SMS applications that allow 2-way interactions

between a business and its customers. Since each SMS message is tagged with

the sender's "phone number," the recipient can hit the Reply button and send a

response which is received by a server and which can be parsed for specific

keywords. In applications that require a higher degree of security, one can also

require that a PIN be included in the message to verify the sender's

identity. (Dan Ehrmann, Oct,2002)

In two-way SMS-based service, users can communicate with the SMS

gateway interactively. Specific information can be retrieved by users via SMS

or through web interface, (www. 1 .com.my) Please refer appendix C(i)

Mobile phones are a commodity today, and SMS (Short Message Service) messages offer an intriguing solution. Messages are delivered in a matter of seconds, and customers are far more likely to receive and read them,

no matter their Internet habits or current locations. This is by no means the

only way SMS messages could work for you. You could provide your users

with two-way communication by enabling customers to send you an SMS

request in a specified format and get a response from the system. This user

10 COPYRIGHT UiTM

interface would be far from being user-friendly, but for simple request-response situations, it would work well enough, (Dejan Bosanac, June 2004)

SMS technology has moved beyond being a personal messaging tool and is now being embraced as an effective mission-critical mobile business communication tool. As the most cost-effective method of communicating with customers, employees, suppliers and business partners today, companies of all sizes, in all parts of the market are finding it impossible to ignore the benefits of using SMS technology to streamline their communications and business processes. Mobile phones are an integral part of our lives. We can count on the fact that a mobile phone is nearly always with the user, therefore information communicated via SMS easily reaches the recipient wherever they are, with the advantage of remaining in the phone's memory for future referral. (Barry Prinsloo, May 2004)

Anthony Rodriguez from Hotel Information Systems told CNN, "Today's technology is so cheap and we need to cut down the queues and phone calls to the hotel asking which room people were in. We can also target future guest. We can fiher through the hotel's history so if she/he stayed 10 times and spent $3,000, we can send them a special SMS inviting them back" (Anthony Rodriguez, February 2003)

Hotel reservations or enquiries can now be done via short message service (SMS) with the launch of mobileHOTEL, the first-ever SMS hotel booking service in the Asean region said the Malaysian Association of Hotels president Mohd Ilyas Zainol Abidin. He said the service was to increase efficiency. Guests can check hotel rates and make reservations via SMS anytime without having to look for a directory. (www.bettingmagazine.com/ManageArticle)

11 COPYRIGHT UiTM

3.2.5 How SMS Work

A typical organization of network elements in a GSM network supporting SMS. Pelase refer to appendix C (ii)for the architecture The SMC (Short Message Center) is the entity, which does the job of store and forward of messages to and from the mobile station. The SME (Short Message Entity), which can be located in the fixed network or a mobile station, receives and sends short messages.

The SMS GWMS (SMS gateway MSC) is a gateway MSC that can also receive short messages. The gateway MSC is a mobile network's point of contact with other networks. On receiving the short message from the short message center, GMSC uses the SS7 network to interrogate the current position of the mobile station form the HLR, the home location register.

HLR is the main database in a mobile network. It holds information of the subscription profile of the mobile and also about the routing information for the subscriber, i.e. the area (covered by a MSC) where the mobile is currently situated. The GMSC is thus able to pass on the message to the correct MSC.

MSC (Mobile Switching Center) is the entity in a GSM network which does the job of switching connections between mobile stations or between mobile stations and the fixed network.

A VLR (Visitor Location Register) corresponds to each MSC and contains temporary information about the mobile, information like mobile identification and the cell (or a group of cells) where the mobile is currently situated. Using information form the VLR the MSC is able to switch the information (short message) to the corresponding BSS (Base Station System, BSC + BTSs), which transmits the short message to the mobile. The BSS consists of transceivers, which send and receive information over the air

12 COPYRIGHT UiTM

interface, to and from the mobile station. This information is passed over the signaling channels so the mobile can receive messages even if a voice or data call is going on. (Puneet Gupta, 2000)

3.2.6 Advantage Of Using SMS

There are a lot of the advantages of SMS. Some of the advantages of SMS are SMS messaging is a discreet way of contacting your colleagues when they do not want to be disturbed by phone calls and SMS is ideal for sending vital information quickly and accurately. (Alderson, M, 2000)

SMS, because of its very nature has unique advantages that other non-voice services do not have. It provides a very convenient method of exchanging small bits of information between mobile users (Puneet Gupta). Meanwhile, based on Ayse Binay, the reasons for the enormous popularity of SMS have been the fact that this mechanism of sending and receiving messages not only saves time but costs less as well. In many situations one is relatively much more comfortable sending a message via SMS than talking over phone. With new information services and unique value added services being used by the operators the popularity of SMS is increasing further. SMS is also uniquely positioned as a very attractive advertisement medium.

"Short Messaging Service" or "Short Message Sending" is widely supported in wireless telephones in most European and Asia-Pacific countries, although rarely in the USA. Wildly popular in Japan and elsewhere, SMS allows telephone users to compose short textual messages using the telephone handset, and transmit them asynchronously. Think of it as instant messaging for cell phones.

13 COPYRIGHT UiTM

3.2.7 Three Tier Architecture

Basically three tier architecture includes a database, a web server and web browsers using the site. Take a look at this diagram and see what exactly we are talking about. Please refer to appendix C(iii)for the diagram. To put three tier architecture into a real world example imagine you are building a web site for people to enter poems. Your users (client tier) type their poem into a web form and submit it to a PHP script on your site (application tier) which then inserts it into your database (data tier). You keep the poems in the database. To display the poem on a web page you have another PHP script that connects to the database and selects the poem and then includes it in the HTML page that is sent to the user. This all happens almost instantly and appears just like a static web page does. You may be thinking, this is a lot of work for displaying a poem in a web page but imagine you have a thousand poems submitted to your site. Although you have to write a couple PHP scripts to do this, once it is done your system can handle thousands of poems wihtout any more work. (http://vyvyw.tqnyc.org/tutorial/three_tier/)

3.2.8 Microsoft Visual Basic

"Visual Basic 6.0 is designed to allow the programmer to develop applications that run under windows programming. It is easy to learn, which makes it an excellent tool to understand elementary programming concepts. In addition, it has evolved into such a powerful and popular product that skilled Visual Basic programmers are in demand in the job market". (Julia Case Bradley and Anita C. Millspaugh, Programming in Visual Basic Version 6.0, 2002)

14 COPYRIGHT UiTM