AutoSearch

This software is a Web-based multimedia catalogue of most actually produced in the world cars with advanced searching and reporting functions.

AutoSearch database contains over 5000 car types of over 600 car models, produced by 124 brands in 27 countries. Each type has over 100 technical characteristics and up to 5 pictures for each type. The database size on the server exceeds 2.5 Gigabytes.

We allow users easily browse through all of these data using two different kinds of navigation: hierarchical and random. The hierarchical way: the left side of the screen has a tree, in which data are hierarchically ordered by country, brand, model and type. Like in Windows Explorer, the user can open and close nodes and quickly find the data he is interested in - by clicking on an item in the tree on the left side. The corresponding information will be displayed on the right side.

Picture 1. Hierarchical navigation in AutoSearch catalogue.

For random navigation, search components are selected: it is possible to search over any technical characteristics (there are over a hundred of them). It is possible to search for cars using any combination of technical parameters. They are divided into 10 sections, including "Car name", "Engine", "Transmission" and represented by tabs on the left side. After the search criteria are settled, the user can press the "Search" button and on the right side of the screen all the appropriate cars will be displayed. Using the "Customize" dialog, it is possible to configure the parameters that should be displayed.

Picture 2. Random navigation.
To simplify entry of search criteria miscellaneous Java applets are used: LinearSlider applet is put to use for range selection of numerical values.

Within the right-side table of results it is possible to sort by any technical parameter (by clicking on it), or a combination of parameters. Clicking on some of the displayed cars, you will find the information about the selected car and its picture in the right frame. The user can run a slideshow to see a number of large pictures.

When the user wants to analyze the data he is searching for, it is possible to put search results into an analog of a "shopping cart" - we call it "garage", that allows navigation similar to that of the basic data (the hierarchical and random navigation). This way of work with large amounts of data is very comfortable. After the search for the basic data is over, the user can open the "garage" which represents data similar to the way they were represented before the search. The user can again use the hierarchical and random navigation.

In the "garage", it is possible to compare technical characteristics of different cars, which is very helpful when a detailed comparison is needed. You can save the cars selected in the "garage" into a file and review this selection any time later. It is also possible to run the selected cars slide show by putting the cars in a needed sequence, and anytime later review it as set of automatically changed pictures.

The information provided in the Catalogue is easily printable. You can also export your search results into Excel or XML format.

In web-based AutoSearch we use some of our own Java applets - the JTree applet, to show all car grouped by brand name and model, and LinearSlider to settle numeric search parameters like power or max. speed.

Picture 3. Linear and ring sliders - Delphi components

We acquired excellent experience in catalogue developing and possess know-hows in this field, so we would be happy to develop a Web-based catalogue for you.

Tools and technologies used:

Time spent: 24 man-months.