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Computer Shop Management System

Technical Requirements Document for South African Market

Executive Summary

This technical requirements document outlines a comprehensive web-based computer shop management application designed specifically for the South African market. The solution addresses the critical operational challenges faced by repair shops, including inventory management, job tracking, invoicing compliance, and customer communication.

The proposed architecture leverages modern, scalable technologies while ensuring full compliance with South African Revenue Service (SARS) regulations for invoicing and tax documentation.

User Personas

👔

Shop Owner/Manager

Goals

  • • Maximize profitability
  • • Reduce admin overhead
  • • Track business performance

Pain Points

  • • Manual invoicing
  • • Inventory tracking
  • • Technician workload management
🔧

Technician

Goals

  • • Complete repairs efficiently
  • • Track time accurately
  • • Access job details easily

Pain Points

  • • Manual job cards
  • • Unclear priorities
  • • Parts availability issues
👤

Customer

Goals

  • • Quick repair turnaround
  • • Transparent pricing
  • • Status updates

Pain Points

  • • Unclear costs
  • • No communication
  • • Long wait times

Core Features

Inventory Management

Real-time stock tracking with low-stock alerts and supplier management

Job Card Management

Digital job cards with status tracking, technician assignment, and customer notifications

Invoicing & Payments

Automated invoice generation with SARS compliance and payment integration

Feature Implementation Timeline

InventoryJob CardsInvoicingCRMReporting0255075100
  • Adoption Rate (%)
  • Implementation (Weeks)

Database Architecture

Database Schema

The database schema includes 8 core tables: Users, Customers, Devices, Repairs, Repair_Notes, Inventory, Invoices, and Invoice_Items. This structure supports comprehensive repair tracking, inventory management, and financial reporting.

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Architecture

Frontend Layer

  • • Next.js 15 - Full-stack React framework
  • • React 19 - UI library
  • • Tailwind CSS - Utility-first styling
  • • Shadcn UI - Component library

Technology Distribution

Frontend 30%Backend 25%Database 20%Infrastructure 15%Services 10%

South African Compliance

SARS Invoice Requirements

  • ✓ Full tax invoices for amounts >= R5,000
  • ✓ Abridged invoices for R50 - R5,000
  • ✓ Invoice issuance within 21 days
  • ✓ Required fields: supplier VAT number, recipient details, description, quantity, value, and tax

Business Requirements

  • ✓ Multi-currency support (ZAR primary)
  • ✓ Automated VAT calculation
  • ✓ Audit trail for all transactions
  • ✓ Data retention compliance

Key Advantages

Technical Excellence

  • • Type-safe development with TypeScript
  • • Modular, scalable architecture
  • • Real-time capabilities with WebSocket support
  • • Mobile-ready API design

Business Value

  • • Reduced operational overhead
  • • Improved customer satisfaction
  • • Better financial visibility
  • • Regulatory compliance assurance

Ready to Transform Your Repair Shop?

This comprehensive technical requirements document provides the foundation for building a modern, efficient computer repair shop management system tailored to the South African market.