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Software Architecture ee382c.7
Assignment 4 Business Case for Architecture: Spring 2015
University of Texas at Austin
Cockrell School of Engineering
Dr Suzanne Barber Professor and SW Engr Program Dir
Abe Arredondo, aa44757
April 30th, 2015

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Assignment 4:
Business Case for Architecture
Supermarket Mobile App Layered Architecture
HEB Grocery Company LP
This paper accompanies a presentation of the same title and theme outlines a layered software
architecture to improve and build upon the pilot release of the HEB supermarket mobile app.
The HEB grocery company is a supermarket chain based in San Antonio Texas, with more than
350 stores throughout Texas and northern Mexico. As of 2013, the company has a total revenue
surpassing $20 Billion USD. (Peterson, Wysocki et al.) 1
The company recently launched a pilot
mobile wallet app feature, presently only available in 5 stores. Mobile wallet allows a shopper
to link a debit or credit account to their HEB mobile app and manage digital coupons and pay at
the cashier station using their smart phone.
Objectives
HEB has the following objectives for the
mobile app.
1. To provide services to their shoppers
2. To enhance the customer shopping
experience
3. Make supermarkets become more efficient
by enabling faster checkouts,
4. Mobile in-store assistance, and
5. In-store item location.
HEB needs to be more responsive to customers and efficient by reducing checkout times and
being available to customers at all times.
1
Wikipedia

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For example, the supermarkets mobile phone application in conjunction with the
Cell phone network can be used to model movement of consumers throughout a store. This data
can be used to pinpoint both high and low traffic areas to optimize product offerings and reduce
wait time by forecasting when shoppers will reach check-out lines.
The scenario starts when a shopper enters the supermarket and by automatically authenticating
onto the store’s network through their mobile phone they are able to request assistance, keep a
running total of their choices, including discounts and taxes, and checkout themselves without
the need for a cashier using their phone when they are ready anywhere in the store.
Every item in the supermarket has a tag, active or passive, and is accounted for by use of the in
store wireless network. Real time monitoring of current
product levels allows supermarket managers to see a store’s
high traffic areas, this information aids in their merchandising
decisions. While shoppers benefit from store layouts that
better serve their buying habits, and creating a more
pleasurable shopping experience.
Problems
The current App problems are as follows.
1. The initial defects found by users.
1.1. The inability of users to understand and navigate the
mobile wallet and general app registration instructions.
2. Performance, and Availability
3. Unproven scalability to thousands of simultaneous users
4. Security, while security is not a problem the author of this paper is unaware of the security,
and cryptography, measures to protect a user’s private information and payment
information.
The HEB mobile app product scanning and features are almost exactly the same as the Walmart
Mobile App. The author believes that these system features have been outsources to the same
software provider as Walmart.

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Proposed Solution and Deployment Architecture
The primary solution and deployment blueprint for the HEB supermarket mobile app is shown
in a graphical form in Figure 1. This graphic shows a layered system software architectural
style, design, and deployment.
Figure 1, Derivation Solution and Deployment Blueprint

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The overall primary layers are as follows.
1. The first layer is the supermarket mobile client, presentation, or user layer that is
applicable across multiple phone and tablet size and operating systems as explained later
in this document. This layer exists in the location of the supermarket Wi-Fi Local Area
Network (LAN). The Xamarin software (Xamarin) tool is responsible for the mobile thin
client’s solution to this blueprint.
2. The mini-Gateway in this first layer is responsible for the IoT infrastructure building
block. This device communicates to items/products, and devices using a secondary
Zigbee 802.15.4 wireless protocol. The mini gateway is also the main Wi-Fi LAN
device.
3. The middle layer is the Internet broadband Wide Area Network (WAN) where messages
are carried across using standard protocols and telecommunications carrier circuits
4. The last layer is the supermarket central headquarters back office for authentication,
Database searches, accounting, backups, redundancy, and configuration is implemented.
This final layer exists at a data center. The Amazon Web Services software is
responsible for the solution to this blueprint cloud platform. Alternatively this can be an
AT&T cloud architect deployment.
Request
This architecture proposal requests the following for the next generation Mobil App System.
1. Adoption of Layered Architecture
2. Hire a dedicated Software Systems Architect
3. $300K Capital Investment
4. Four Moths Dev Time
4.1. Four week Preliminary Design Review
4.2. Eight week Critical Design Review
4.3. Twelve week Acceptance Test & Delivery

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Summary
In summary, adopting the layered architecture approach outlined here, and hiring 1 SW
architect will lead the following improvements.
1. Improved Usability and Acceptance
1.1. Improved Customer Experience
1.2. Improved Performance and Availability
1.3. Improved Quality and Reliability
2. Additionnel Revenue Sources
2.1. On-Line Orders
2.2. Home Deliveries, Expanded Catering
2.3. Digital Mechanizing and Advertising
2.4. Lower Maintenance Costs
Bibliography
Peterson, H. C., A. Wysocki and S. B. Harsh (2001). "Strategic choice along the vertical coordination
continuum." The International Food and Agribusiness Management Review 4(2): 149-166.
Xamarin. "Xamarin Software."
Amaldoss, W. and W. Shin (2015). "Multi-Tier Store Brands and Channel Profits."
Sprague, R. (2014). "Legal and Ethical Food Policy Issues."
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-E-B