Suppose you are asked to prepare one UML class diagram that combines both the sales and collection process

Sunset Graphics often buys inventory after receiving a sales order from the customer. Suppose you are asked to prepare one UML class diagram that combines both the sales and collection process and the purchases and payments process. What would be shared among those processes? What would be unique to each process? Why?

In a universal modeling language (UML) diagram, there are many components that are shared or similar between the sales and collection process and the purchases and payments process.  Virgil B., coowner of Sunset Graphics, gives an outline of the process for sales and collections are includes 6 steps that range from the customer requesting a quote to the delivery and final payment.  Step 1 is to provide a quote that is accurate and timely in order to win the customer’s business. Step 2 is to receive the order from the customer after they agree to the quoted price (Richardson, 2017).  Step 3 is to prepare the products, either by creating the graphics and signs, and step 4 requires that the order by finalized and delivered.  Following this, Sunset Graphics invoices their customer for the remaining balance for the services and products.  After this, payment is received and the process ends.

Very similarly is Linda B.’s, recollection of the purchasing and payment process where it entails 4 steps that are very similar to the sales and collections process.  Step 1 is to research prices on needed products and checking if they are available from suppliers.  Next, if the items are correct they purchase them and following a wait time they are received in step 3.  The final step is to pay the suppliers after receiving invoices that is usually done within 30 days.  Here we see that this is process parallels the sales/collections process it is simply mirrored from the supplier’s view. Both processes require obtaining/giving quotes, placing/receiving orders, requiring a wait time for completion, and both processes result in a cash flow.

The differences between the two processes can be seen in the absence of similar classes within the sales and collections process and purchasing and payment process.  For example, in the first process there are 6 steps or classes of which 4 are shared with the purchasing/payment process.  The 2 that are unique to the sales/collections process are drafting invoices and preparing the products. Though these activities are conducted by the supplier, they are out of view and range of this modeling data and cannot be represented.