Requirements

This system has the following requirements:

• It must be possible to enter new orders at any time, even when the sales person's laptop isn't connected to the Internet.

• Orders should be forwarded to the central order processing service whenever network connectivity is restored.

• Users should not have to change their behavior based on whether the system is in online or offline mode.

• The order client application should be platform independent, allowing the sales force the freedom to change operating systems in the future.

• Due to schedule and budget constraints, the system should be built using off-the-shelf or freely available components.

• Real-time inventory control is not a priority. Collecting orders for batch processing is acceptable.

• The catalog of available items will not change frequently.