Development of optimized information system for mobile devices: a case study of student academic registration information system at Tumaini University Makumira

This research developed an optimized information system for mobile devices using Student Academic Registration Information System (SARIS) as a case study. The problems users faced when accessing computer SARIS via mobile devices were poor user experience, slower page loading speed, poor search, more memory usage, and higher power consumption. These problems together with an increasing trend for offering specific content for mobile devices were the main reasons for optimization of SARIS so as to come up with a mobile version of the system that is more efficient for mobile devices. This study used qualitative method, object oriented analysis and design approaches to model and design the optimized information system for mobile devices. The system was implemented by using PHP, jQuery Mobile, CSS3, HTML5, ADT, MySQL and Apache. All user interfaces are mobile web-based. The study revealed that optimized SARIS could be developed by adding the mobile interface to the existing system by including the mobile code in the optimized SARIS. The optimized system was tested by system administrators, developers, examination officer, registrar, accommodation officer, lecturers and students. The developed prototype can be improved and used as a full functional system to support mobile device users. It is recommended that a native application for SARIS to be developed in the future research.