SRC:2011 URC

Back to UNH Student Research Conference


 * Poster Session:April 27, 2011 4:00-6:00 PM

Capstone Experience in Computer Information Systems: An Undergraduate Speech Research Group

 * Authors: Brian Avery, James Bartoldus, KC Ibey, Scott Innes, Corey Mooney, Chris Reekie, Nicholas Sandberg, Matt Wakim
 * Project Sponsor: Mike Jonas

Abstract
The Capstone Project for the University of New Hampshire Manchester 2011 Spring semester will be organized and directed by Professor Michael Jonas. Students will be enlisted as members of a research team that will learn about current speech recognition technology and practices. They will work collectively to develop software tools capable of translating audio into interpretable text files. To achieve this ultimate goal, team members will implement methods and tools for experimentation, and create an experimental database to aide in their research.

Speech models will be developed using the CMU Sphinx Speech Recognition Toolkit and LDC Switchboard corpus. These models will be used to effectively turn sound into mathematical models that can be translated into text equivalents according to a “dictionary” of words and phonemes that team members will incorporate. This requires extensive computing power, and thus a main server and queue of nine client machines will be used to facilitate this process. Parallelization of these machines will be necessary to allow them to work in tandem. The Perl programming language will then be used to create the necessary software to link the audio to the Sphinx software, and also to link the output text files to the experimental database.

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Case Management System for Domestic Violence Unit of Manchester

 * Authors: Rebecca Lee, Scott Innes, Harry Dodson
 * Project Sponsor: Domestic Violence Unit of Manchester

Abstract
The Domestic Violence Unit of Manchester dedicates itself to protecting the victims of domestic violence. Part of their job entails managing defendant cases, tracking court dates, and providing access to counseling programs. Currently, prosecutors and counselors maintain cases and programs manually through spreadsheets and documents. Data stored in spreadsheets is prone to errors, such as redundant and lost records, which leads to inaccuracies in the records.

In order to prevent wasted time and errors from the old system, we have created the Domestic Violence Unit of Manchester Case Management System (DV Unit CMS) system. This application aims to provide the organization with a working application to store and update defendant records, cases, and counseling programs.

The DV Unit team worked collectively through the use of a wiki site and version control to produce the source code and documentation. DV Unit CMS uses a model-view-controller architecture to create a web-based user interface. The controller tier creates and calls on the relational database using MySQL. Users interact with the view level of the system through the PHP/HTML based interface. The model tier acts as a gateway between the database and the user.

The end result is an easy to use application that stores, retrieves and updates cases and programs stored in the database. This will reduce errors and ensure the integrity of records maintained by the DV Unit of Manchester. The DV Unit CMS will be a significant improvement from the old system, providing for more simplicity and better reliability.

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Developing the OpenITware Platform Architecture

 * Author: Daniel Pepin
 * Project Sponsor: UNH Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and CIS Program
 * This project has been supported by a UNH UROP Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Abstract
Students at UNH Manchester who study in the Computer Information Systems program, need real life projects in order to build vital skills, and learn the fundamentals of building software applications for actual clients. Organizations need access to custom made applications and software designs that are free, or at least very cheap. OpenITware is the platform that can be used to connect professors with organizations, and students with real world application development.

To build the OpenITware platform architecture, I first had to learn the combination of several programming languages. I read several programming books that were tailored to the languages I needed to know, and then built several prototype applications to learn PHP, xHTML, CSS, and JavaScript. After learning the main programming language, PHP, I was able to set up the main architecture on a web server using the open source content management system called Drupal.

Within the Drupal framework I was able to build a solid application that supports the necessary features for project management and collaboration. The OpenITware platform, which is accessible via the web, allows organizations to request projects, students to collaborate on those projects, and for professors to monitor their progress, all from one easy to use application.

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Increasing Efficiency Through Standardization at Best Buy

 * Author: John Grossmith
 * Project Sponsor: Best Buy

Abstract
Computers are sold at Best-Buy with a proprietary system configuration installed by the Geek Squad Staff. To meet the district goal that 40% of the inventory be “sale ready,” a more efficient method was needed to manage the system setups.

This project examines three options for improving the flow of computers from the warehouse, to the Geek Squad work area, and finally onto the shelves for sale. The resulting project is a customized Excel spreadsheet form implemented at Best Buy Manchester Store #536. This form is currently being tested and designed for additional stores in NH region.

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Internship2Career: Management System for the UNHM internship program

 * Authors: Daniel Pepin, Aaron Jarzombek, Steven Simard, Brice Rader, Michael Tierney
 * Project Sponsor: University of New Hampshire Internship Services

Abstract
The goal of the Internship Program at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester is to provide students with hands-on work experience that will enhance their degree and help prepare them for successful careers. Tasks of the UNHM internship program involve managing over one hundred internship opportunities. This includes adding, deleting, viewing, generating reports, and assigning internships. Currently the staff needs to interface manually between a Microsoft Access database and the UNH Blackboard site.

The Internship2Career team is designing a web application in a model view controller architecture to solve the staff's problems using an open source software approach. This will allow any person or organization to adapt the software to their needs. Internship2Career has setup an online project hosting on the Google Code website, which allows for easy version control and for other users to view the project and potentially contribute. The web application is being designed using the programming languages MySQL to develop the database, HTML to be able to view in a web browser, and PHP for application logic control.

Results of the Internship2Career project include a near operational prototype system that will be ready for usability testing; a wiki site that describes how the system was built; and a project hosting site which allows users to continue to contribute to the project.

In conclusion, this program will save valuable time and money for the Internship Program, and create a more efficient method for students to research the internship opportunities.

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Lock It – Track It: Protect Your Network

 * Author: William Cabana
 * Project Sponsor: Easter Seals

Abstract
Easter Seals requires a data security solution that meets the HIPPA requirements while allowing case workers to utilize client data on site in a flexible and timely manner.

This applied research project identifies, implements, and tests a solution to protect mobile data used by over 70 sites and numerous case workers in the field. Using DeviceLock, the data can be Locked, Tracked, and controlled in a distributed work environment.

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Open Source Donation Management Software

 * Authors: Laura Cassella, Matt Edmonds, Chris Reekie, Matt Wakim
 * Project Sponsors: BBBS of Greater Manchester and YWCA of Manchester

Abstract
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Manchester and the YWCA of Manchester are two local non-profits whose operations will be significantly improved by the implementation of an information management system. The DONATE system tracks donors, donations, fund-raising events, and related data in a much more efficient manner than the manual tracking systems which are currently in place.

The project objective is to assemble a preliminary prototype of the DONATE system while adhering to the performance and design criteria established by the clients.

The DONATE system has an intuitive interface design and a step-by-step built in help system. The DONATE team has used the model-view-controller architectural design pattern. We are managing the data in a MySQL database management system; view is implemented through HTML forms; and control is realized through PHP coding. The client application will reside on an Apache web server and be accessible to the user via his/her Windows XP computer.

DONATE Team members work closely together coding, testing, re-factoring, documenting, and implementing project aspects using an agile method called test driven development. This highly collaborative effort will result in a system which facilitates tasks and data interpretation for the non-profits.

All aspects of the project are being developed using free and open source software. Development in an open source environment allows for any person or business to use and adapt this project’s code to fit their personal needs. This makes the DONATE application an attractive tool for other non-profit organizations which collect donations.

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Recreate Production Environment for QA Testing

 * Author: Schuyler Norman
 * Project Sponsor: Newmarket International

Abstract
Newmarket International’s QA and Dev team has an aging computer infrastructure that does not provide sufficient storage, memory, or processing power to host all required environments. This capacity shortage, combined with unexpected outages, can result in unplanned delays in projects.

This project involves replacing aging hardware with new hardware and consolidating virtual machines onto fewer, large-capacity servers. A failover cluster for Development and Quality Assurance is created to provide a robust testing and development environment. The proposed environment will mirror the Production Data Center.

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Redesigning a Phone Infrastructure for Stephens and Michaels Associates

 * Author: Matthew Wakim
 * Project Sponsor: Stephens and Michaels Associates

Abstract
The current phone system used at Stephens and Michaels is inadequate to support the current call volume. In the face of costly upgrades and the high cost per call, the company is in the process of converting to a SIP environment to meet the demand for high call volume, control over the system, and lower costs per call.

This project was to support and document the work done by outside vendors during the conversion process. Implementation is near complete and training employees in the new system is underway.

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Virtual Testing & Development Infrastructure at EMC2 Nashua

 * Author: Brian Block
 * Project Sponsor: EMC2 Nashua

Abstract
EMC2 Nashua requires development and testing environments on a scale that are cost prohibitive to implement in a physical lab environment.

This project uses VMware installed on local workstations and a central server to create and manage the specific system configurations for each testing environment. This redesign supports 10 – 20 virtual servers, the equivalent of an expensive testing lab on a single physical server with adequate processing resources to meet demand of Testing and Development team.

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URC CIS Student Projects