presented by edward so, michael cheng, l.f. lau, winnie ho run run shaw library
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CityU Library EasyService New Initiatives: EasyPay and EasyRegister –
Creative applications of III’s Fines Payment API
Presented by Edward So, Michael Cheng, L.F. Lau, Winnie Ho
Run Run Shaw Library City University of Hong Kong
HKIUG 8 Dec., 2009
EasyService in CityU Library
EasyService development in CityU Library:• 2005: 2 sets of SelfCheck units • 2008: EasyCheck System™ for Semi-Closed
collection (UHF RFID)• 2008: EasyService for CD/DVD Collection (HF
RFID)• 2009: EasyPay and EasyRegister
EasyService in CityU Library• 2005: 2 sets of SelfCheck units installed (1st
UGC funded Library to use), now with 4 sets
EasyService in CityU Library• 2008 : EasyCheck System™ for Semi-Closed
collection, self-developed system using UHF RFID technology
EasyService in CityU Library• 2008: EasyService for CD/DVD Collection using
HF RFID technology
EasyService in CityU Library
• EasyPay
• EasyRegister
EasyPay - Outline
• Introduction - What is EasyPay?
• Why EasyPay?
• EasyPay Design
• EasyPay Implementation
• Usage Statistics
7
EasyPay - Background
• One of the initiatives of EasyService in CityU raised by Librarian Prof. Steve Ching.
• CityU Library is introducing different EasyService applications in phases to empower the patrons to check in and check out library materials by themselves.
8
EasyPay - Introduction
• 2007 Librarian Initiatives
• 2008 Mar – Applied Research Grant to develop application
• 2009 Jan - SSCI Journal article published Steve H. Ching, Alice Tai, Joanna Pong, & Michael Cheng, “Don’t Let
Micropayments Penalize You – Experience from the City University of Hong Kong,” The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 35 (1):86-97
9
EasyPay - Background (Old Practice)OLD: The work flow for collecting fines with Octopus-enabled cash registers
(1) Library Staff input the Student ID to Library System, retrieve the outstanding fines in Library.
(2) Library Staff enter value in Octopus enabled Cash Register.
(3) User put Octopus card to settle payment.
(4) Staff manually update patron record to complete the whole payment transaction.
Cash Register
Library Innopac System
Octopus Card
Reader No Direct Communication
Connected by staff intermediary 10
Why EasyPay?• Cash handling require huge manual effort
especially in Library with Fines.
• Minimize the human error in cash handling and input error in the system interface.
• Faster transaction compared with old practice.
• Provide round the clock payment even the counter is closed.
11
EasyPay - Design (Objectives)
• Integration between Octopus and INNOPAC
• No staff intermediary
• Allow payment via electronic means (Octopus)
• Fast, quick and easy to use for patrons
• Integrate with CityU Smart Card.
12
EasyPay – Design (Modes of operation)• Modes of operation.
• Staff mode – to allow staff to collect money using Octopus in the counter.
• Integrated mode - to handle check-in and check-out operation as well as the fine payment operation.
• Standalone mode – to allow user to pay on a kiosk.
13
EasyPay - Design (Architecture)
14
EasyPay - Design (Program Flow)
• Need to follow the Octopus Specification and requirement (hundred pages of specification and test plans).
• Error Handling.
• Strictly complied with the workflow of Octopus especially related to the payment flow.
15
EasyPay - Design (Screen Flow)
16
EasyPay - Design (Staff Interface)
Transaction Enquiry
17
EasyPay - Design (User/Staff Interface)
Fine selection - Confirmation
18
EasyPay - Design (User/Staff Interface)
Fine payment - Selection
19
EasyPay - Implementation (H/W & S/W)
• Octopus Mini-MOP reader.
• Octopus Development Kit.
• Software: Visual Studio C#.
• All-in-one PC Kiosk (already in EasyCheck machine)
• Backend Server Dell PowerEdge 1950 and MS SQL Server.
• PC with integrated modem for remote dial-up.
• III Fines Payment API
20
EasyPay - Implementation (Interface with III)
• Fines payment API - facilitates the EasyPay workstation to communicate with INNOPAC directly.
• A Web Service approach
• To retrieve and update the patron fine payment details of the patron record in INNOPAC.
• Using searchPatrons to get the fines list and updatePatron to collect the fines.
21
EasyPay - Implementation (Testing)
• Handle different error messages by Octopus Mini-MOP reader and INNOPAC.
• Need to pass through the rigorous testing plan with Octopus Card Ltd.
• Obtain a type approval form issued by the Octopus Card Limited (OCL).
22
EasyPay - Usage statistics
23
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
79.40%
70.53%
59.44%
61.30%
55.72%
55.70%
20.60%
29.47%
40.56%
38.70%
44.28%
44.30%
CashOctopus
EasyPay - System Limitation
• Amount of Octopus payment. Daily Upper limit on payment. Daily limit on Octopus auto-added value.
• Only auto-added value but not manual added value to the Octopus.
• Required modem (telephone) dialup to upload the Octopus data information.
• Bill are not covered because of adjustment and large amount.
24
EasyPay - Staff feedback
• Save time/effort to count coins and cash.
• Convenient as there are fewer steps.
• Faster cross-checking for each shift.
• User convenience.
25
EasyRegister
• Self-Registration of eligible non-CityU JULAC Library Card Holders
Number of Annual Registration
2007/08 2008/091,000
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,400
1,500
1,600
1,405
1,521
Registered Users from Other Libraries
JULAC Registered Users from Other Libraries 2008-09
CityU CUHK HKBU HKIEd HKU HKUST LU PolyU -
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600 1,521
567 596
283
1,025
245 272
1,523
Registered Users from Other Libraries 2008-09
Entrance by JULAC Card Holders 2008-09
CityU CUHK HKBU HKIEd HKU LU PolyU -
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
45,000
50,000
27,905
9,239 5,424
8,161
13,226
4,811
47,255
Entrance by JULAC Card Holders 2008-09
EasyRegister - Old Practice
• What is the old practice?
The paper application form
Chan Tai Man 陳大民B123456(A) 9876543223456789
83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tongchantm@sample.edu.hk
Chan Tai Man
SAMPLE
Circulation Librarian
Chan Tai Man陳大民
CUHK0011111
Chan Tai Man
1/2012
Each barcode carries a pre-created dummy patron
record
• A pre-created dummy patron record with pre-input UNIV ID and P BARCODE • JULAC card with this Barcode
label stuck on it can borrow books immediately even without patron details
Chan Tai Man CUHK 0011111Chan Tai Man
23/6
Chan Tai Man陳大民
CUHK0011111
Chan Tai Man
1/2012
• Not have enough time to key in all the information immediately on site over the counter• Data entry done at backend
office according to the user’s application form
EasyRegister - Old Practice
•Drawbacks: • Time lag•User cannot access and view circulation account
immediately• Possible human error
EasyRegister – Design (User Mode)Welcome Screen
Press “Start” to begin
User Identification ScreenQuestions to identify eligible
user
Input ScreenFor user to input/edit their
personal details.
Confirmation Screen Show user input data for double
check.
Final ReminderInform user the whole
registration process is not completed yet and ask them to take the temporary registration
ticket to the Counter.
YesNo
Yes
Conti
nue
Quit
Edit again
System create a patron record on Innopac and print a temporary
registration ticket
The JULAC card registration process is not completed yet !!
EasyRegister – Design (Staff mode)
Retrieve Patron RecordBy scan the temporary
barcode on the registration ticket
Display Patron RecordCirculation staff verify user’s
input data
Enable Patron RecordBy replace the temporary
barcode with the permanent one and save the record.
Inel
igib
le u
ser
Eligible user
The JULAC card registration process is completed now !!
EasyRegister – Work Flow
Prepare dummyPatron record (Back End)
Prepare barcode(Back End)
Verify patron details and Issue barcode to patron
Contact user to update their personal details(Back End)
Input user personal details(Back End)
Old PracticeUser input their personal details and on-the-fly create patron record
Verify patron details and Issue barcode to patron
Contact user to update their personal details(Back End)
Prepare barcode(Back End) New Practice
By Staff By User
EasyRegister - Implementation• Development Tools (both User and Staff mode)– Fines Payment API– C#– Visual Studio .net
• Hardware Requirements– 1 x Desktop PC with keyboard and mouse.– 1 x Thermal printer– For staff mode, no additional hardware is needed
because the program is installed on the Circulation Counter machines.
EasyRegister - Installation• One EasyRegister machine is installed next to the Circulation
counter.
EasyRegister - Benefits• Value-added use of an existing product – Fines
Payment API
• Streamline the application procedures
• Reduce human error
• Up-to-date information can be obtained
• Complete patron information are input immediately
• Patron can make full use of their record immediately right after registration
EasyRegister – Future Development
• EasyTicket:
As suggested by the Librarian, we shall start a feasibility study of using Octopus Card as JULAC Library Card holders’ access and borrowing at CityU Library.
EasyRegister - Future DevelopmentWe shall study:
• The interface between Octopus card readers and our access control system
• The interface between Octopus card readers and LMS system
• The interface between Octopus card readers and different self-check systems
• Development of programmes for the above interfaces
Conclusion
Three principles of the Book of Changes ( 易經 ) :
• 變易 change and transformation• 簡易 easy and simplicity• 不易 invariability: a constant definite order
Conclusion
Apply to Library Services:
• 變易 change : adapt to constant changes and transformation of the Library
• 簡易 easy : EasyService Applications• 不易 invariability : User-oriented service
model
THANK YOU!
Run Run Shaw Library
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