1. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift1 Appreciating the Benefits Benefits Computers Bring to Automation Organize and access large inventories. Improved customer satisfaction. Cost-saving and time-saving Factories and warehouses use computers controlled automation system to manage inventories. E.g., Ralphs uses computer to manage their large warehouse with more than 100 stores in 1987. –Computer keeps tracking the location of all inventories –Inventories can be retrieved by cranes, which are controlled by computer automatically –“Electrical eyes” can check the condition of inventories and direct any with problems to a separated location –The system reduced land usage, property costs, and employees needed of the company –The automated system is faster and more efficient therefore improved customer satisfaction Computers can simplify tedious, monotonous work, such as counting on a production line. Improved workplace safety by using robotic devices

2. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift2 Appreciating the Benefits Benefits Computers Bring to Identification Time-saving - technology for identifying people and products, from bar codes to smart cards, which is generally faster than manually identifying Introduce of smart cards: –With the aid of computers, many more secured authorization methods has introduced, such as smart-card ID. –About the size of credit card and has build-in microprocessor and memory –All personal information can store in a smart card for authorization purpose –the card uses a variety of security techniques to protect data –The card is ease-of-use and provides reliable authorization method

3. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift3 Appreciating the Benefits Computers Monitor Environment and Materials Computers with sensors can use to obtain information from the real world One application is to use sensor to monitor chicken’s body temperature and a computer adjust the temperature of the environment accordingly in order to reduce disease and deaths from overheating Sensors and microprocessors can detect stress in materials, which can be used in various applications design, such as airplane parts. Computer sensors can also monitor emissions, dangerous substances in the air, moisture, acidity

4. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift4 Appreciating the Benefits Applications of Computers in Tracking Rare plants and animals can be tagged with chips and tracked by satellite so they can be located if taken by thieves Similar technology applied for lost pets or people, stolen goods

5. A Gift of Fire, 2edChapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift5 Appreciating the Benefits Benefits of Computers in Reducing Paper Use and Trash Electronic storage of data, allow user to view, edit, update information without interact with the physical form of the data, which eliminate the need of paper. send/receive digital documents instead of hardcopy. Read, write, and edit online. Cost-saving; smaller storage needed. Creation of toxic wastes at paper mills reduced.