lecture 02 ways to become millionaire

Lecture 2: Hardware & Software

10 Feb 09 Business_Systems_Analysis_and_Design_for_Accountants-handbook 11


Hardware

Bocij, Greasley, Hickie, Business Information Systems, 4th Edition, © Pearson Education Limited 2008

Slide 3.2

Learning objectives

• After this lecture, you will be able to:– categorise the type of computer system that a

business uses;– recognise the different components of a computer;– specify the components needed for the purchase

of a personal computer;– define the criteria for selection of hardware.


Slide 3.3

Management issues

• From a managerial perspective, this chapter addresses the following areas:– Learning the characteristics of input, output and storage

devices will allow managers to select the correct equipment for a given application.

– An understanding of selection criteria will allow managers to specify equipment in terms of required quality and functionality.

– An increased understanding of computers will help managers see how technology can be used to improve existing business processes and identify potential applications.


Slide 3.4

Key concepts

• Computer system: Interrelated components including hardware and software that work together with the aim of converting data into information.

• Hardware: The physical components of a computer system: input devices, memory, central processing unit, output devices and storage devices.


Slide 3.5

Figure 3.1 Basic hardware components of a computer system


Slide 3.6

Hardware components

• Input device: Hardware used to enter data, information or instructions into a computer-based information system.

• Central processing unit (CPU): The processor found in a computer system that controls all of the computer’s main functions and enables users to execute programs or process data.

• Memory: A temporary means of storing data awaiting processing, instructions used to process data or control the computer system, and data or information that has been processed.

• Storage devices: A permanent means of storing data and programs until they are required.

• Output devices: Translate the results of processing –output – into a human readable form.

Need to move away from personal experience – PC or laptop Look around in a supermarket or retailer.

“I can’t help, the system is down.”

BSADAcc Accounting pathways P07808

12 Business_Systems_Analysis_and_Design_for_Accountants-handbook 10 Feb 09


Slide 3.7

The client/server concept

• Client/server: The client/server architecture consists of client computers such as PCs sharing resources such as a database stored on a more powerful server computer.

• Give examples:– In the office or university– Within a company with multiple sites– In the context of the Internet.


Slide 3.8

Cost-efficient forms of PC• Net PC: will usually feature no floppy or hard drive and

limited memory and processor since it will use the power of the server to provide applications.

• Thin client: describes an architecture where the bulk of the processing is carried out by a central server.

• Total cost of ownership (TCO): TCO refers to the total cost for a company operating a computer. This includes not only the purchase or leasing cost but also the cost of all the services needed to support theend-user.

• Virtual computing involves simulating a complete computer system in software. The virtual machine(VM) behaves exactly the same as a physical computer system and can be used in the same way.

Input devices


Slide 3.9

Input devices 1Personal computers• (Natural) keyboard• Graphical user interface (GUI)• Pointing device: the most common is a Mouse,

another relatively common device is a Mousepador Trackball.

• Video capture card• Sound card, useful with Voice recognition

software.• Lightpen• Graphics tablet


Slide 3.10

Input devices 2Other• Optical scanner: used with Optical character

recognition (OCR) or Optical mark recognition (OMR) (eg at banks).

• Bar code reader: used with Bar code, normally following the Universal product code standard.

• Touch screen• Interactive kiosk• The text also mentions Multimedia but this is

seldom an input device unless combined with some input method.



Output devices


Slide 3.11

Output devices

• Visual display unit (VDU): Resolution, Dot pitch, Refresh rate, Interlaced display & Non-interlaced display.

• Video projector• Plotter• MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)• Computer output to microfilm (COM)• Response time: The time it takes to respond to

an action.


Slide 3.12

Printers

• Laser printer: A laser is used to charge sections of a rotating drum which is then used to print using toner powder, achieving a combination of speed with high print quality.

• Inkjet printer: An inkjet printer uses a print-head containing 50 or more small nozzles that squirt ink onto the paper by varying electrostatic charges produced by the printer.

• Dot-matrix printer: A character is transferred to the paper by striking pins against an ink ribbon.


Slide 3.13

Selecting printers – key issues

• Purchase cost• Printing cost• Print quality• Paper handling• Volume• Speed• Appropriateness• Response time

MFD – multi function devices: printer, scanner, copier, fax

Storage devices


Slide 3.14

Storage devices

• Primary storage: Data and instructions are loaded into memory such as random access memory. Such storage is temporary. Volatile, Non-volatile, Read-only memory (ROM), EPROM & Cache memory.

• Secondary storage: Hard disks, flash or pen drives and CD’s are examples of secondary storage and the storage is permanent.

• Measuring storage capacity: bit, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte.


Slide 3.16

Figure 3.10 Relationship between primary and secondary storage on a PC




Slide 3.16

Forms of secondary storage

• Hard disk drives: internal and external• Magnetic tape• Personal video recorder (PVR)• Flash drive• Mobile phoneOptical secondary storage• CD-ROM: compact disc – read only memory• CD-R (CD-recordable) & CDRW• Digital versatile disc (DVD)


Slide 3.17

Storage-type summary ofselection criteria

Table 3.1 Comparison between storage media and devices


Slide 3.18

Summary activity – match the following

Hardware descriptions1. Store programs and data in a PC when it is powered down.2. Store data for fast access when the computer is running.3. Access 25,000 clipart samples for incorporating into presentations.4. Backing up company financial data.5. Automatically reading the ISBN of a book.6. Performing calculations of company profit and loss.7. Obtaining hard copy of a spreadsheet to discuss with your accountant.8. Connecting to the Internet.9. Taking data home to analyse on your PC.

10. Joining five PCs together.11. Storing data to share between users on five networked PCs.Hardware types

(a) RAM; (b) laser printer; (c) floppy disk; (d) fax-modem; (e) CD-ROM;(f) bar-code reader; (g) Intel Pentium processor; (h) CDRW or tape streamer; (i) local area network (LAN); (j) server; (k) hard disk drive

Managing technological change Moore’s law: Computer technological capacity doubles roughly every 18 months.


Slide 3.19

Managing technological change

A major difficulty for companies wishing to apply information systems to help their businesses is how often technology changes. There is a continuum of approaches for how managers deal with technological change. Figure 3.14 illustrates a typical curve for adoption of any innovation by consumers or businesses, whether it be a new processor, a new form of storage such as DVD, or a new business concept such as e-business.


Slide 3.20

Figure 3.14 Typical diffusion of innovation curve





Slide 3.21

The problem with being an early adopter is that the leading edge of development is often also referred to as the ‘bleeding edge’ of technology due to the risk of failure. The counterargument to this is that, although the risks of adoption are high, so are the rewards, since you may gain an edge on your rivals.

The quotes on the next slide give examples of people and organisations that have been too conservative – not envisaging the benefits of new hardware or technology approaches.



Slide 3.22

Reported quotations from conservative technology adopters:

• ‘This “telephone” has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.’ Western Union internal memo, 1876.

• ‘Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?’ H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927.

• ‘I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.’ Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.

• ‘There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.’ Ken Olson, Founder of DEC, 1977.


Software


Slide 3.23

Learning objectives

• After this lecture, you will be able to:– explain the purpose of software applications in

different categories;– describe the features found in a variety of modern

applications software packages;– identify some of the advantages and

disadvantages associated with a variety of common applications;

– describe some of the ways in which applications software supports the activities of a business organisation.


Slide 3.24

Management issues

• From a managerial perspective, this chapter addresses the following areas:– All major organisations make use of common

applications, such as word processing and database software. An understanding of the factors involved with selecting these applications is required by all managers.

– An understanding of the range of software applications available will help managers see potential applications relevant to a given organisation or industry.

– An understanding of recent developments in the software industry, such as the emergence of the XML, will help managers to develop long-term plans for the organisation’s use of technology.


Slide 3.25

Figure 4.1 Categories of computer software


Slide 3.26

Figure 4.2 Diagram showing the relationships between the different types of software and hardware




Slide 3.27

Systems software

• Operating system (OS): Software that interacts with the hardware of the computer in order to manage and direct the computer’s resources.

• Command line interpreter (CLI): Passes instructions from a user to a computer program as instructions from a user in the form of brief statements entered via the keyboard.

• Graphical user interface (GUI): Provides a means for a user to control a computer program using a mouse to issue instructions using menus and icons.

• WIMP: WIMP (windows, icons, mouse and pull-down menus) is often used to describe a GUI environment.

• Network operating system (NOS): This describes the software needed to operate and manage a network system.


Slide 3.28

Applications software

• Applications software: A set of programs that enable users to perform specific information-processing activities that may be general-purpose or application-specific.

• General Purpose applications: This is also known as productivity software and describes a category of computer software that aims to support users in performing a variety of common tasks. (e.g. word processor, spreadsheet, database).

• Application-specific software: This is intended to serve a specific purpose, for example software used in the marketing and accounting functions (see chapter 6 for more details).


Slide 3.29

Spreadsheet applications

• Modelling: Modelling involves creating a numerical representation of an existing situation or set of circumstances, whilst simulation involves predicting new situations or circumstances.

• What if? analysis: This describes the ability to see the predicted effect of a change made to a numerical model.

• Goal seeking: In a spreadsheet, goal seeking describes a way of automatically changing the values in a formula until a desired result is achieved.

Spreadsheets: the ‘killer app’

Databases


Slide 3.30

Databases

• Database: A collection of related information stored in an organised way so that specific items can be selected and retrieved quickly.

• Advantages:Multi-user accessDistributed accessSpeedData qualitySecuritySpace efficiency




Slide 3.31

Database types

• Flat file database: A self-contained database that only contains one type of record – or table – and cannot access data held in other database files.

• Free-form database: Allows users to store information in the form of unstructured notes or passages of text. Information is organised and retrieved by using categories or key words.

• Hypertext database: Information is stored as series of objects that can consist of text, graphics, numerical data and multimedia data. Objects are linked, allowing users to store disparate information in an organised manner.

• Relational database management system (RDBMS): An extension of a DBMS that allows data to be combined from a variety of sources.


Slide 3.32

Figure 4.6 An example of how key fields are used to link information from different database tables (relations in an RDBMS database)Source: Screenshot frame reprinted by permission from Microsoft Corporation


Slide 3.33

Key database concepts

• Field: The data in an electronic database are organised by fields and records. A field is a single item of information, such as a name or a quantity.

• Record: In an electronic database, a record is a collection of relatedfields. See Field.

• Table or File: In an electronic database, data are organised within structures known as tables. A table is a collection of many records.

• Relationship: In a relational database, data can be combined from several different sources by defining relationships between tables.

• Compound key: In a relational database, it is possible to retrieve data from several tables at once by using record keys in combination, often known as a compound key.

• Foreign (secondary) key fields: These fields are used to link tables together by referring to the primary key in another database table.


Slide 3.34

Database features• Update query: used to change records, tables and

reports held in a database management system.• Structured query language (SQL): A form of

programming language that provides a standardisedmethod for retrieving information from databases.

• Filter: In a spreadsheet or database, a filter can be used to remove data from the screen temporarily. This allows users to work with a specific group of records. Filters do not alter or delete data but simply hide any unwanted items.

• Object-oriented database: The database is made up of objects combining data structures with functions needed to manipulate the object or the data it holds.


Slide 3.35

Data warehouses, data mining and analytics

• Data warehouses are large database systems containing detailed company data on sales transactions which are analysed to assist in improving the marketing and financial performance of companies.

• Data mining of data warehouses is an attempt to identify a relationship between variables in order to assist decision making. It will involve statistical techniques such as multiple linear regression where a number of variables are compared to identify patterns.

• Analytics is a term that is used to describe various approaches to data-driven analysis.



Internet


Slide 3.36

Internet concepts

• Internet: A global network system made up of many smaller systems.

• World Wide Web (WWW): Interlinked documents on the Internet made up of pages containing text, graphics and other elements.

• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): WWW pages are mainly created by producing documents containing HTML commands that are special tags (or codes) to control how the WWW page will appear when displayed in a web browser.

• Web browser program: Enables users to navigate through the information available and display any pages of interest.

• Hypertext: Hypertext is highlighted words or phrases that represent links to other documents activated by clicking the mouse.

• Electronic mail (e-mail): The transmission of a message over a communications network.


Slide 3.37

Creating web pages and applications

• HTML (hypertext markup language): HTML is the method used to create web pages and documents. The HTML code used to construct pages has codes or tags such as <TITLE> to indicate to the browser what is displayed.

• Java: Java can be used to create small applications that run when users display a WWW page or activate a control shown on the screen.


Slide 3.38

Web 2.0

• The term Web 2.0 describes a new generation of applications and services that allows Internet users to communicate, share information and do business in new ways.

• Some of the principles behind Web 2.0 have been associated with particular forms of technology, for example, Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). RIAs are web applications that combine enhanced user interfaces with the power and functionality of desktop programs.

• Web 2.0 emphasises what is sometimes called the social Internet, a range of applications that encourage greater collaboration and interaction among Internet users. Applications commonly associated with Web 2.0 include blogs (web logs) which can be thought of as an online journal or diary.

Software distribution models


Slide 3.39

Software distribution models

• Alternative models of software distribution include open source and application service providers.

• Open Source is a generic term used to describe software that is supplied to users completely free of charge and without restrictions limiting how it is used, modified or redistributed. In general, the source code for the program is freely available and users can modify it as they see fit.

• An application service provider (ASP) supplies software and services to a client organisation over a network, usually the Internet. Users access software and data via a web browser. This type of approach is often described as on-demand software or software as a service.

Seminar work: Chapter 3: Essay question 3 & Exam question 2

Chapter 4: Essay question 3 & Exam question 3

lecture 02 ways to become millionaire

Documents