SMART SHOPPING APP

Problem Description

AbstractWith the advent of technology, a great deal of effort is aimed at automating day to day
activities for a healthier and smarter lifestyle. Smart Shopping is no longer restricted to online
shopping but is now making its way to the routine retail store and grocery store visits. On one hand,
the customer is looking for a shopping experience that requires a minimum amount of time and with
the best possible value for money. On the other hand, the retailer is looking for assisting all
customers and providing an attractive user-friendly experience in an attempt to attract more
customers and increase their purchase. Taking the customer and retailers perspectives into account,
we base our project on implementing a Smart Shopping App. The app has a user interface to register
the user, allow him to create from his phone/handheld device a shopping list he created using the
app earlier. The app then suggests an optimized route based on the shopping list created or
uploaded walking the user through isles that are most relevant to his current needs. The smart app
also helps to inform users about special offers.
Since this is an Android app, it would only be beneficial for customers who have Android
phones/tablets with them. The app may be extended for other platforms in the future.

System Block Diagram


Existing Shopping Apps

iGrocer is a new smart grocery-shopping assistant. This program aims to facilitate the shopping
process and add a new dimension to the shopping experience of customers, especially that of elders
and disabled people. Using iGrocer, the customer can create a ubiquitous shopping list either by
scanning items, or by simply creating a list on his phone or on the website. Another app is Ma$$ive-
An Intelligent Mobile Grocery Assistant.Ma$$ive is based on a client-server architecture where
communication takes place over HTTP. 29 Wi-Fi access points and a Wi-Fi tag are used for
positioning. The software has currently four views: shopping list, available shopping lists, special
offers and navigation. The shopping list is designed using natural language: it takes as an input a
general word, like milk, and returns a list of candidates. It also uses dictionary frequencies and
association rules to suggest relevant items. The software uses the items on the shopping list as well
as association rules to make relevant special offers. Another system is the MONSTRE, an indoor
navigation system that helps locating products within the store. It uses Dijkstra to compute the
shortest path. This location system uses too much power, and the multi-path effect due to metallic
objects and people is too significant. Dijkstra algorithm computes the shortest distance from one
point to all other points and this doesnt result in an optimal path.

Proposed App

Our Android App

Signing up and profile creation

The user will sign up to the application by filling a form which includes fields such as first name, last
name, email, phone number, gender, diseases, etc. This profile creation is user specific.

Items Catalog and Description

After signing up, the user will be able to view the stores catalog which includes items such as
produce, meat, bakery, etc. The user can also view the details of each item once he click on it.

Building Shopping List

After viewing the items and the description of each, the user can choose to add certain items he
wants to his/her shopping list.

Viewing and Reviewing Shopping List

The user at some point can view his current shopping list and choose to remove some items if
he/she wants.


Fig. Shopping List Creation

Submitting Shopping List

When the user is sure of his shopping list, the user will submit his shopping list which will send his
shopping list.

Viewing optimal path

After the optimisation algorithm computes the optimal path, the android app will make use of the
entries x coordinate, y coordinate and command. The android app will then plot the path
highlighting the shopping list items


Fig . Path lot and Store Map





ARCHITECTURE DIAGRAM:


SERVER SIDE ARCHITECTURE:



USE CASE DIAGRAM:




CLIENT SERVER COMMUMNICATION DURING SYNCHRONIZATION




Modules:

A. Client Side:
1. Choosing the items from the list
The customer will prepare their list by choosing the items that they want from the
SuperMarkets Inventory List. They can also specify the quantity of the item.
The customers list will be fetched when the customer enters the supermarket, and it will
then be cross-checked with the supermarkets inventory list.
Technology used for fetching the list and sending it to the client: JSON
2. Mapping the customers sorted list and showing the items on the supermarkets map. The
items numbers will be shown as pop-ups for the aid of the customer.
3. Crossing out the chosen items from the list.
4. Adding new items to the list when present in the supermarket.

B. Server Side:
1. Sorting your list on the basis of nearest item first
2. Storing the supermarkets inventory store on the web page and providing an interface to
specify the location of each item on the map using (X,Y) co-ordinates.
3. Updating information about various offers and discounts and sending notifications to
the customers on their app using Google Cloud Message Services.
4. Sending the bill to the customers app after completion of purchase.


Software Requirements
Technologies
Server: PHP, JavaScript, MySQL, JSON, HTML, CSS
Client: Android, Google Cloud Messaging Service, SQLite, Google APIs
Tools:
Server: openshift(PaaS by RedHat), PHPMyAdmin, Google APIs, SmartDraw integration
Client: Eclipse ADT
Advantages of the app to the customer:
1. Reasonable information dispatch
2. Transparent and interactive design of shopping
3. Easy selection and good integration of generic services
4. Good tracing and tracking
5. Reliable and supportive
Advantages of the app to the supermarket:
1. Revenue through advertisements and notifications
2. Promotional activities
3. Customer satisfaction

Feasibility of the project:

The cost of Android based hand held devices has reduced over the recent years. The app will have a
very user friendly interface, so understanding the app will not be a burden for the customers.
Customers normally carry their device with them while going out, so the app will be easily accessible
all the time. Customers can download the app easily from the Play Store.
With respect to development feasibility, the tools required are open source and are easily
accessible. The Eclipse ADT is available for download, and most other tools are integrated within. So
the app development is economically and technically feasible.
The app can be completed within due course of time.

References
Google Play Store. (n.d.). Google Play. Retrieved March 30, 2013, from https://play.google.com/
Kroger - Mobile App . (n.d.). Kroger . Retrieved March 30, 2013, from
http://www.kroger.com/mobileapp/Pages/default.aspx
Meijer Mobile App. (n.d.). Meijer. Retrieved March 30, 2013, from
www.meijer.com/content/content.jsp?pageName=mobile_app
SurveyMonkey: Free online survey software & questionnaire tool. (n.d.).SurveyMonkey: Free online
survey software & questionnaire tool. Retrieved March 28, 2013, from
http://www.surveymonkey.com/
Wittenstein, M. (n.d.). Meijer's Mobile App Offers One Feature No Retailer Should Be Without |
Mike Wittenstein. Customer Experience Design | Customer Experience Strategy | Mike
Wittenstein. Retrieved March 31, 2013, from http://www.mikewittenstein.com/the-one-
app-feature-no-retailer-should-be-without/