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Saturday, July 28, 2012
The computer
The computer
A
computer is a device which accepts input data, processes it according to
programmed rules, calculates results and then store and or output those
results.
Types of computers
Computers can be classified as follows.
1
supercomputers
2
Mainframe computers
3
Minicomputers
4
Microcomputers now we called it as PCs
A supercomputer is used to process very large amounts of data very
quickly. They are particularly useful for occasions where high volumes of
calculations need to be performed, for example in meteorological or
astronomical applications.
A mainframe computer system uses a powerful central computer,
linked by cable or telecommunications to terminals. A mainframe has many times
more processing power than a PC and offers extensive data storage facilities.
Mainframes
are used by organizations such as banks that have very large volumes of
processing to perform and have special security needs, many organizations have
now replaced their ol mainframes with networked “client server’ systems of
midrange computers and PCs because this approach is thought to be more
flexibility.
A
minicomputer is a computer whose size, speed and capabilities lie somewhere
between those of a mainframe and a PC, the term was originally used before PCs
were developed, to describe computers which were cheaper but less well equipped
than mainframe computers.
With
the advent of PCs and of mainframes that are much smaller than in the past, the
definition of a minicomputer has become rather vague. There is really no
definition which distinguishes adequately between a PC and a minicomputer.
PCs
are now the norm for small to medium sized business computing and for home
computing, and most larger business now use them for day to day needs such as
word processing, often they are linked together in a network to enable sharing
of information between users.
Manual system VS computerized systems
Posted by Unknown
8:08 AM, under | 3 comments
In
many situations manual systems are inferior to computerized systems. Some disadvantages
of manual systems are outlined in the following table.
Disadvantage
|
Comment
|
Productivity
|
Productivity is usually lower, particularly in routine or operational situations
such as transaction processing
|
slower
|
Processing is slower where large volumes of data need to be dealt
with.
Slower processing means that some information that could be
provided if computerized systems were
used, will not be provided at all, because there is not time
|
Risk of errors
|
The risk of errors is greater, especially in repetitive work like
payroll calculation.
|
Less accessible
|
Information is generally less accessible. Access to information is
often restricted to one user at a time, paper files can easily be mislead or
buried in in-trays, in which case the information they contain is not
available t all
|
Alterations
|
It is difficult to make corrections. If a manual documents contains
errors or need updating it is often necessary to recreate the whole documents
from scratch, rather than just a new version with the relevant details
changed.
|
Quality of output
|
Quality of output is less consistent and often not well-designed. At worst,
hand written records may be illegible and so completely useless. Poorly presented
information may fail to communicate key points.
|
Bulk
|
Paper based systems are generally very bulky both to handle and to
store, and office space is expensive.
|
The impact of information technology
Posted by Unknown
6:40 AM, under | 1 comment
Manual
systems
Many
tasks (and people) are still better suited to manual methods of working, for
example a single quick calculation may best be done mentally or by using a
pocket calculator.
Many
people also prefer communicating face to face with their colleagues, rather
than using tools such as e-mail. People may prefer to interact both to fulfill
social needs and become they find this form of communication more effective.
Example use of body language, tone of voice etc
The
use of poorly designed, computer systems, or using “good systems” with
inadequately trained users, will result in inefficiencies that negate the
benefits computerized processing should bring.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Information and competitive advantage
Posted by Unknown
12:29 PM, under Competitive Advantage | No comments
It
is now recognized that information can be used as a source of competitive
advantage. This has led to formal management strategies and plain for
information.
A
strategy is needed for arrears in which decisions have to potential to have a major
impact on an organization. Many organizations have recognized the importance of
information and developed an information strategy, covering both IS and IT.
Information
system should be tied in some way to business objectives.
(a) The corporate strategy is used to plan functional business
plains which provide guidelines for information based activities,
(b) On year by year
basis, the annual plan would try to tie in business plains with information
systems projects for particular applications, perhaps through the functioning
of a steering committee.
Vision and Reality
A
company that has vision of its own future, and some idea of how information
technology can be used to turn that vision in to reality, may be able to use
new technologies for strategic advantage.
One
approach to create a vision is to adopt a familiar three step approach
involving answering three questions about the organization.
1 where are we in ?
2 Where do we want to be ?
3 How we will get there ?
The
first question can be answered using standard techniques such as a strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, threats (SWOT) Analysis. This approach ensures that both
internal and external factors are considered. We cover SWOT analysis in the
context of information system development.
Answering
the sickened question requires vision. This does not have to be a contribution
in the organizations current direction. It must be challenging, attainable and
communicated to those who will implement it.
Once
this has been done, the strategy (Answer to the 3rd question) can be
defined.
A
second approach takes the view that insiders are too tied to the way we do
things now. And recommends the involvement of outsiders. An authority may be
able to more readily anticipate dramatic shifts which might occur in the
future. Additionally, an outsider does not have the insider’s investment in
maintaining the status quo.
Traditional view over strategy
Posted by Unknown
6:54 AM, under | No comments
An important role of both the finance
and information technology functions is to help ensure the agreed strategy is
proceeding according to the plain. The table below (devised by the US institute
of Management Accounts) outlines the rationale behind this view.
Description
|
Traditional View
|
Strategic implication
|
Cost
|
The finance and information technology functions can be relatively expensive.
|
Shared services and outsourcing could be used to capture cost savings
|
IT
|
IT has traditionally been transaction based
|
IT/IS should be integrated with business strategy.
|
Value
|
The finance and IT functions do not add value
|
Redesign the functions
|
Strategy
|
Accountants and IT managers’ are seen as scorekeepers and
administrators rather than as a business partner during the strategic
planning process.
|
Change from cost oriented to market oriented. This is development of
more effective strategic planning systems.
|
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Information systems and business stratergy
Posted by Unknown
10:41 AM, under | No comments
It is widely accepted that an organisation's information system should support corporate and business strategy. in some circumstances an information system may have a grater influenced and actually help determine strategy
Ex:--
(A) IS/IT may provide a possible source of competitive advantage, this could involve new teleology not yet available to other or simply using existing teleology in a different way.
(B) The information system may help in formulation business strategy by providing information from internal and external sources.
(C) Development in IT may provide new channels for distributing and collecting information, and / or for conducting transactions example the internet