Chapter 4 Information Technology in Business: Hardware Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Learning Objectives List major components of a computer and explain their functions Explain how computers communicate Classify computers into major categories, and identify their strengths and weaknesses Describe how computers have affected the development of business Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Learning Objectives (Cont.) Define the most commonly used hardware terminology Identify and evaluate key criteria when deciding what computers or related devices to purchase Explain the controversy regarding the health hazards of computers Evaluate hardware so that you can harness it to improve managerial processes Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

The Central Tool of Modern Information Systems Computers are at the core of every modern information system Hardware: the physical components of the computer Software: the set of instructions that direct the hardware to perform particular tasks Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Hardware components Input devices: receive signals from outside the computer and transfer them into the computer Computer keyboard and mouse Some input devices accept voice, image, or other signals Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Central processing unit (CPU) Most important part of any computer Accepts instructions and data Decodes and executes instructions Stores results (output) in memory for later display Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Internal Memory or Main Memory Stores data and instructions just before and immediately after the CPU processes them Includes programs currently running on a machine Intermediate results of arithmetic operations Intermediate versions of documents being word processed Data that represent pictures displayed on a computer screen Sounds played by the speakers Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Internal Memory or Main Memory (Cont.) Two types of memory RAM (random access memory) ROM (read-only memory) The amount of memory and the speed at which it can be retrieved are two properties that determine the power of a computer Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

External Memory Different types of media Magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, and optical discs Stores same types of data and information as internal memory does Allows for permanent storage and portability Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Output devices Computer monitors and printers Deliver information from the computer to a person Audio output devices Specialized output devices: Braille writers Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

The Central Tool of Modern Information Systems (Cont.) Devices for both output and input Printers that read memory cards to print digital images Most I/O devices are peripheral devices Most processing and storage devices are internal CPU and primary memory reside on the motherboard Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

The Central Tool of Modern Information Systems (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

How Computers Communicate: Bits And Bytes Computer recognizes two states: On or off Each on or off signal represents a bit (binary digit) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Encoding Schemes Representation of symbols by unique strings of bits ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) originally with seven bits in a byte ASCII-8 Newer version Consists of eight bits per byte Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Encoding Schemes (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Encoding Schemes (Cont.) EBCDIC, Developed by IBM with eight bits per byte Limitations in ASCII and EBCDIC to 256 different characters Unicode, 16 bits per byte, allows for many more characters Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Understanding Computer Processing Counting Bases Decimal system is “base 10” Binary system is “base 2” Similar methods for calculations as humans Store all quantities and perform calculations in binary form Display numbers after translating to decimal presentation Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Classification of Computers Supercomputers The largest, most powerful, and most expensive Used by universities, research institutions, and large corporations Mainframe Computers Less powerful and less expensive than supercomputers Used by businesses with large amounts of data that need to be stored in a central computer Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Classification of Computers (Cont.) Midrange Computers Often used as the host computer in a network of smaller computers Priced in the several thousands to a few hundred thousand dollars Manufacturers: DEC (VAX), IBM (AS/400), and Hewlett-Packard Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Classification of Computers (Cont.) Microcomputers Networks of microcomputers are replacing mainframes Sometimes called workstations Used for CAD, CAE, complex simulations and scientific applications Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Classification of Computers (Cont.) Microcomputers (cont.) The microprocessor chip Traditionally manufactured by Intel AMC and Cyrix are other manufacturers Macintosh are built around Motorola’s PowerPC chips Sun develops its own microprocessors and computers Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Classification of Computers (Cont.) Computers on the Go: Notebook, Handheld, and Tablet computers Computers used outside the office 3x the desktop pc price Tablet pc is the newest option available Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Classification of Computers (Cont.) Internet Appliances Handheld computers and other electronic devices manufactured with the capability to link to the Internet Can be wireless Considerations must be made for invasion of privacy concerns More devices being outfitted for Internet access all the time Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Business Evolves with Computing Mainframe to PC: Networking Businesses With increased power of the PC, managers devise their own IS Businesses shifting from mainframe model to the client/server model One PC functions as the server Connects to other PCs, the clients Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Trends in Computing Increasing power, decreasing cost Electronic computing began with early counting machines Electrical signals an important leap in technology 1942: first electronic computer at Iowa State Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Trends in Computing (Cont.) Used by the US Government IBM machines used in ’50s and ’60s for business calculations, record keeping and more Today, nearly every new electronic device has a computer Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Business Evolves with Computing Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Business Evolves with Computing Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

A Peek Inside the Computer Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.) The Central Processing Unit (CPU) The brain of the computer Has two components that store and process data: Control unit Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) Silicon chip with multiple circuits Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.) The Central Processing Unit (CPU) (cont.) Microprocessor Carries signals that execute all processing More transistors on the chip, the greater the power of the processor Silicon chip embedded with transistors, or semiconductors Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Machine Cycle CPU’s execution of four functions is one cycle: Fetch, Decode, Execute, Store Rate of repetitive cycles is Clock Rate One cycle per second is one hertz Computer frequencies are measured in megahertz (MHz─millions of hertz) or gigahertz (GHz─billions of hertz) System clock synchronizes all these tasks Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.) The Word: maximum number of bits fetched in one cycle The Arithmetic Logic Units Operations: where all arithmetic and logical operations take place Reduced Instruction Set Computing: fewer instructions resulting in faster computing Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.) Memory Registers Primary Memory Random access memory (RAM) Cache Memory Read-only memory (ROM) Volatile v. Nonvolatile Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Computer Power Clock rate Bus: amount of information the CPU can process per second Throughput: speed determined only by combination of both factors Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Input Devices Keyboard Mouse, Trackball, and Track Pad Touch Screen Source Data Input Devices Imaging Speech Recognition Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Input Devices (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Output Devices Soft-Copy Output Devices Hardcopy Output Devices Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor Flat-Panel Monitor Speech Output Hardcopy Output Devices Nonimpact Printers (most common) Impact Printers Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Output Devices (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

External Storage Media Important Properties to Consider Capacity, Access Speed, Access Mode, Cost Mode of Access Sequential v. Direct Access Magnetic tapes Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

External Storage Media (Cont.) Magnetic Disks Optical Disks Optical Tapes Flash Memory and Thumb Drives Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Business Considerations of Storage Media Trade-offs Modes of Access Sequential Access: Tapes Direct Access: Disks Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

External Storage Media (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

External Storage Media (Cont.) Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Considerations in Purchasing Hardware What should you consider when buying hardware? Power -- speed, size of memory, storage capacity Expansion and upgrade capability Ports for external devices like printers, hard disks, communication devices Ergonomics: Keyboard, Monitor Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Considerations in Purchasing Hardware (Cont.) What should you consider when buying hardware (cont.)? Footprint Vendor reliability, warranty policy, vendor support Compatibility Cost Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Considerations in Purchasing Hardware (Cont.) Factor What to Look For Power Greater frequency and word size, larger Expandability Greater number of board slots for additional RAM Ports Greater number of ports for printer, external hard disk, communication devices and other peripherals Ergonomics Greater comfort and safety Compatibility Comparability with many other computers and peripheral devices, as swell as software packages Footprint Smaller area Support Availability of telephone and on-line support for troubleshooting Warranty Longer warranty period Cost Lower cost Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Considerations in Purchasing Hardware (Cont.) Factor What to Look For Power Greater frequency and word size, larger Expandability Greater number of board slots for additional RAM Ports Greater number of ports for printer, external hard disk, communication devices and other peripherals Ergonomics Greater comfort and safety Compatibility Comparability with many other computers and peripheral devices, as swell as software packages Footprint Smaller area Support Availability of telephone and on-line support for troubleshooting Warranty Longer warranty period Cost Lower cost Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Ethical and Societal Issues Computers May Be Hazardous to Your Health Physical and Emotional Stress General physical and emotional stress Muscular-skeletal problems Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI) Vision problems Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

Summary Computer components and their functions Computer communication Categories of computers have different strengths and weaknesses Understand commonly used hardware terminology Identify and evaluate key criteria for purchasing decisions Management Information Systems, 4th Edition