SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC: Using VB'NET Interfaced with Access Databases

1
SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC Using VB.NET
Interfaced with Access Databases

• Zahra N. Taha
• Thesis Presentation
• 05/02/2007

2
Overview

• McQuay International and Selection Programs
• Thesis Project Defined
• Programming Language
• Database Application
• Software Development Challenges
• Application Development
• Software Architectural Models
• Results
• Further Work
• Acknowledgments
• Questions?

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McQuay International Select Tools Programs

• McQuay International, 2nd Largest HVAC Company
• Employs over 5000 people
• Annual sales/revenues 2.9 Billion
• Developed McQuay SelectTools
• Summer 2006 Internship

4
Thesis Project Defined

• Program allows user to
• Configure a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner
  (PTAC)
• View specifications for the PTAC
• Purchase the PTAC
• Creating SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC

5
Programming Language

• Why Visual Basic vs. Visual C?
• McQuay Programmers used VB
• Opportunity to learn a new language
• Advantages
• Syntactically easier than C
• Easier to develop the GUI
• Disadvantages
• VB User Interface Controls are much harder to do

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Database Application

• Why MS Access vs. SQL?
• Visual Studios 2003 version would only connect to
  Access Databases
• Advantages
• Interfaces well with other Microsoft Windows
  programs
• Disadvantages
• None

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Software Development Challenges

• Fewer references for Visual Studios 2003
• Not real-world application development friendly
• Infragistics cost 1500.00 or more
• I am not a 10 Year Programming Veteran

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Application Development

• Given these challenges, I needed to
• Develop requirements MPS 402 work
• Design
• Evaluate interface systems
• Determine database design
• Code
• Test Debug
• Deploy

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Context Model

• SIM SelectTools Program
• User Interface
• PTAC_Data DB A Repository Database
• Purchase DB Application DB A Repository
  Database
• Application DB

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Application Database Model

• Design Job Information with keys
• Node individual app names linking to design key
• Link connects to nodes and design key
• Label app name and icon

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Features of the SIM

• Save and Delete PTAC Applications
• Configure PTAC via Rating or Quick Quote
• Purchase Unit
• View PTAC Diagrams
• View PTAC Data Specifications via Rating Tab

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Results

• Running the Program
• Explain PTAC Data via Rating Tab
• Connection to the database and drop down list
  code

13
Further Work

• Finish Save Delete Options
• Calculate Purchase Price
• Finish Tool Bar Options
• Quantity Bar error message

14
Acknowledgements

• Ron Morfei
• Allen Hena The VB GURU!
• Professor Tom Stiadle
• Professor Carol Shilepsky
• Alynn
• Everyone who babysat for me
• Everyone who is here today

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Questions?
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Old McQuay Selection Tools Program
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The Applied PTAC
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SIM SelectTools for Applied PTAC