Using MIS 4e Chapter 4 Hardware and Software.

Using MIS 4e Chapter 4 Hardware and Software

This Could Happen to You: “We Called It Strangle and Cram”
Cut off support to an older version of a product (strangle) and tell your customers that to get support they have to upgrade to the new version (cram). Neil suggest going to a thin client/server architecture using open source software FlexTime scenario video Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Chapter Preview Like Neil, you might go into the computer industry and transition to some other business. If so, you’ll know “how the game is played.” However, you might not. You might become a department manager, or own your own small business, or be appointed to your law firm’s technology committee. Whatever direction your career takes, you don’t want to be one of those professionals who “waste a lot of money. . . and time.” The knowledge from this chapter can help. You don’t need to be an expert, a hardware engineer, or a computer programmer. You do need to know enough, however, to be an effective consumer. You need the knowledge and skills to ask important, relevant questions and understand the answers. We begin with basic hardware and software concepts, then discuss how you can use your knowledge to prepare a computer budget for your department and wrap up by forecasting trends in hardware and software in 2021. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Study Questions Q1: What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? Q2: What do business professionals need to know about software? Q3: Is open source software a viable alternative? Q4: How can you use this knowledge? Q5: 2021? Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Q1: What Do Business Professionals Need to Know About Computer Hardware? Hardware includes electronic components and related gadgetry that input, process, output, and store data according to instructions encoded in computer programs or software. Watch the video clip Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Four Categories of Basic Computer Components
Input hardware includes: Keyboard, mouse, scanners, microphones, and handwriting for a tablet PC. Processing hardware includes: Central processing unit (CPU), which can be a dual-processor or a quad-processor, main memory, and special function cards. Output hardware includes: Video displays, printers, audio speakers, overhead projectors, and special-purpose devices. Storage hardware includes: Magnetic disks, optical disks, and magnetic tape. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Storage Capacity Terminology
Sizing Computer Data Bytes 8-bit chunk = 1 byte Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

In Fewer Than 300 Words, How Does a Computer Work?
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

How Does a Computer Work? (cont’d) (click here for more info)
CPU (Central Processing Unit) Transfers program or data from disk to main memory Moves instruction from main memory via data channel or bus Has small amount of fast memory called cache Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

How Does a Computer Work? (cont’d)
Program instructions Operating system instructions Main memory contains Program that controls computer’s resources and blocks of data Provides services to application programs and users Operating system (OS) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Memory Swapping Occurs when RAM is too small to hold all open programs and data CPU loads new program segments into unused memory If none available, operating system will swap out existing instructions, or data, to a disk and copy requested program, or data, to freed space Swapping slows down your computer Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Why Should a Manager Care How a Computer Works?
Too little means constant memory swapping Need more memory for processing many programs or large files Main memory size Expressed in hertz (Hz): Electrical voltage that changes from low to high and back again at regular intervals Need more speed if handling large spreadsheets or database files 32-bit CPU  4 GB RAM 64-bit CPU  almost unlimited RAM CPU speed Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Why Does a Manager Care How a Computer Works?
Slow personal computers have speed of 1.5 Gigahertz, fast ones have speed of 3+ GHz, with dual processing (2009) CPU speed (hertz) 64-bit CPU can address more main memory Effectively utilize more than 4 GB of memory More expensive than 32-bit processors CPUs classified as 32-bit or bit Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Why Does a Manager Care How a Computer Works?
Simple tasks, such as word processing, do not need fast CPU; a 32-bit, 1.5 GHz CPU will be fine Processing large, complicated spreadsheets or manipulating large database files, or editing large picture, sound, or movie files needs a fast computer like a 64-bit, dual processor with 3.5 GHz+ speed Cache and main memory are volatile meaning their contents are lost when power is off Magnetic and optical disks are nonvolatile, meaning their contents survive when power is off Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Why Should a Manager Care How a Computer Works? (cont’d)
Cache and main memory are “volatile” Contents lost when power is cut off Stores frequently used instructions Large cache makes computer fast, but more expensive Magnetic and optical disks are “nonvolatile” Saved contents survive after power is off Used for secondary storage Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What Is Difference Between a Client and a Server?
Clients used for word processing, spreadsheets, database access, connecting to a network Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Clients and Servers Computers used by an individual for word processing, spreadsheets, database access, and so forth Most client computers have software that enables connecting to a private network at work or school, or public Internet Client computers Provide service (such as ; serving pages on a website; processing large, shared databases; or other functions) to multiple users Server computers Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Clients and Servers Must be fast and have multiple CPUs Need lots of main memory, at least 4GB Require very large disks—often a terabyte or more Servers almost always accessed from another computer via a network Have limited video displays, or no display at all Many have no keyboard A typical server: Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Server farm Large collection of coordinated servers Amazon can process 110 order items per second. Google Data sites Inside a Google Data Center (video) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Grid Computing A network of computers that operates as an integrated whole; grid appears to be a single computer May support a server farm, or some other computing need Organizations lease time on a grid from other organizations that create, support, and manage that grid IBM leases time on a grid for applications that require intensive arithmetic computing IBM leases time on a special-purpose grid to archive medical records (See www-03.ibm.com/grid) Grid computing Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Cloud Computing Cloud computing A form of hardware or software leasing in which organizations obtain server resources from vendors that specialize in server processing Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Ethics Guide: Churn and Burn
Mark suggests a conspiracy between hardware and software vendors Hardware vendors create new, faster computers Software vendors create products with more features Time-consuming to learn Features only needed by some users Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Ethics Guide: Churn and Burn (cont’d)
Products have defects Viruses as example Vendors turn these into a sales advantage Should users accept these problems? Should they rise up in protest? What should vendors do? Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Q2: What Do Business Professionals Need to Know About Software?
Run only on particular types of hardware 32-bit Windows runs only on Intel 32-bit CPUs, 64-bit Windows runs only on Intel 64-bit CPUs Must conform to instruction set of CPU Windows works only on Intel instruction set CPUs Operating systems Written for a particular operating system Application programs Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What a Manager Needs to Know about Software (Watch Video)
Four major operating systems Windows (95% of business users) Mac OS (graphic arts) Unix (scientific and engineering applications) Linux (open source community) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What a Manager Needs to Know about Software (cont’d)

Own vs. License License Site License Right to use specified number of copies of a program Flat fee payment for right to install software product on all company computers or all computers at a specific site Limits vendor’s liability Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Guest Operating Systems
Virtualization Three types of virtualization • PC virtualization • Server virtualization • Desktop virtualization Virtualization Guest Operating Systems Windows Linux Very easy to set up a virtual machine and configure it in a specific way Cloud vendors can add and remove instances of servers very quickly and cheaply Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Windows Server Computer Hosting Two Virtual machines

Types of Virtualization
PC virtualization, a personal computer, such as a desktop or portable computer, hosts several different operating systems. Server virtualization, a server computer hosts one or more, other server computers. Server virtualization makes cloud computing feasible. Virtual desktop can be accessed from any computer to which user has access. Thus, you could be at an airport computer and access what appears to be your own personal computer. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What Types of Applications Exist and How Do Organizations Obtain Them?
Performs a service or function Some are general purpose, such as Microsoft Excel or Word Others provide specific functions, such as QuickBooks (general ledger and other accounting functions) Application software Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What Categories of Application Programs Exist?
Horizontal-market application software Vertical-market application software Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

How Do Organizations Acquire Application Software?
Off-the-shelf-software Off-the-shelf with alterations software Develop custom application software in-house or hire a development vendor Custom development difficult and risky Staffing and managing teams of software developers is challenging Managing software projects can be daunting. Development projects often take twice as long, or longer, to finish as planned. Cost overruns of 200–300% not uncommon Only used when no other option Tailor-made software or custom-developed software Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What Is Firmware? Computer software installed into devices Printers, print servers, communication devices Coded like other software Installed into read-only memory Can be changed and upgraded Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Why Are Thin Clients Preferred to Thick Clients?
Requires nothing more than browser Does not require installation and administration of client software Thick client Has more code to run on it More features and functions More expense and administration Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Client and Server Computers Can Run Different Operating Systems

Using MIS InClass 4: A Group Exercise Choosing a Computer
Form a team to identify most appropriate computer for three different scenarios. For each scenario, determine hardware and software requirements: Size and type of computer, processor speed, size of main memory and disk, operating system, application programs, maintenance and support agreements, and any other factors you deem appropriate. These websites may be useful in your deliberations: Do not constrain yourselves to this list Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Using MIS InClass 4: A Group Exercise Choosing a Computer (cont’d)
Scenario 1: Political science major asks you to help her purchase a new laptop computer. Wants to use computer for , Internet access, and for note-taking in class, and spend less than $1,000. a. What CPU, memory, and disk specifications would you recommend? b. What software does she need? c. Shop for the best computer deal for her. d. Which computer would you recommend, and why? e. Present your answer to the rest of the class. May the best group win! Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Scenario 2: Your father: , Internet access, downloading pictures from digital camera, uploading pictures to a shared photo service, and creating documents for members of his antique auto club. a. What CPU, memory, and disk specifications would you recommend? b. What software does he need? c. Shop for the best computer deal. d. Which computer would you recommend, and why? e. Present your answer to the rest of the class. May the best group win! Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Scenario 3. Due to a budget reduction, your campus newspaper lost its university funding, and you and a group of five students have decided to replace it with your own newspaper. To do so, your group decides that it needs three computers; at least two of them need to be laptops. One can be either a laptop or a desktop. The university offers to sell you three Dell laptops for $2,100. Each laptop has 3MB of main memory, a 250GB disk, and a dual 1.7 MHz, 32-bit CPU. The laptops include Windows Vista and Office 2007 Ultimate (Access, Excel, Groove, InfoPath, OneNote, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word). a. What CPU, memory, and disk specifications do you need? b. What software do you need? c. Shop for the best computer deal. d. Should you buy the university’s computers? Explain. e. Present your answer to the rest of the class. May the best group win! Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Q3: Is Open Source Software a Viable Alternative?
GNU general public license (GPL) agreement Standard for open source software. Successful open source projects OpenOffice (Microsoft Office look-alike) FireFox (Web browser) MySQL (DBMS, see Chapter 5) Apache (Web server, see Chapter 8) Ubuntu (Windows-like desktop operating system) Android (Mobile-phone operating system) Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Why Do Programmers Volunteer Their Services Open Source Projects?
Programming intense combination of art and logic Freedom to choose projects work on Exercise creativity working on interesting and fulfilling projects Exhibit one’s skill in order to get a job Start a business selling services to support an open source product Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

How Does Open Source Work?
Closed-source or proprietary software. Source code is not available to users or public. Only available to trusted employees and carefully vetted contractors. Open-source software available to users in source code form. Machine code: Source code is compiled into instructions executed directly by a computer’s CPU Source code: Human readable computer code Proprietary Software Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

So, Is Open Source Viable?
Depends on requirements and constraints of situation. You will learn more about matching requirements and programs in Chapter 10. “Free” open source software requires support and operational costs that could cost more than a licensing fee. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Q4: How Can You Use This Knowledge?
Most business professionals and managers have a role in: Specification of client hardware and software they use Specification of client hardware and software for employees In large organizations, IS department likely to set formal standards In medium to small organizations, managers need to take active role in setting specifications for computers What buying decisions do you make? Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Sources of System Costs
Goal is to select the hardware and software that will meet requirements at the minimum total system cost Sources of System Costs Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Medium to Small Organizations
Usually standardize on single client operating system because costs of supporting more than one unjustifiable. Most choose Microsoft Windows clients. Some arts and design businesses standardize on Macintosh, and some engineering firms standardize on Unix. Organizations with limited budgets might choose Linux with Ubuntu and Open Office on clients, but this is rare. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Role of Managers and Employees
Specifying horizontal application software, such as Microsoft Office, or other software appropriate for their operating systems Specifying requirements for vertical market or custom applications Typically, no role in specifying server hardware, other than approving budget Business manager and users of a client-server application specify requirements for vertical and custom-server software Work with technical personnel to test and accept software Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

What Process Should I Use to Establish a Computer Budget?

Determine categories of workers and software needed to access company web portal, , minimal word processing Identify specialists and their hardware and software needs Determine computer workload requirements for each category of workers and managers Use previous experience as a guide Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Forecast changes Price hardware and software Negotiate prices (usually IT does this) Add overhead costs to budget for networks, servers, and communications Accounting department can help with cost estimates Assess budget for feasibility and reasonableness Consider your organization’s competitive strategy Prepare justifications for any increases Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Substantial change in your departmental head count Important new departmental functions or responsibilities Upgrading to major new versions of operating system or other software Implementation of new systems that require additional hardware Change in the way overhead expenses are allocated to your department Reasons you may need more equipment Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Review and revise budget Consider refurbished equipment Delay upgrades to new operating system Reallocate hardware among employees Document results Keep spreadsheet and notes used to prepare and justify budget Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Q5: 2021? Will Microsoft’s “three screens” strategy dominate? Will Apple continue to “out innovate” Microsoft? “PC Mules” will be rare Large-screen computing/connectivity devices will be available everywhere Acceleration of thin-client versions of all applications Virtual desktop in the cloud Everything always synchronized for virtual client in the cloud Enormous change in hardware/software technologies, companies, industries, and users Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Guide: Keeping up to Speed
If you don’t keep up, you might not gain a competitive advantage Don’t depend solely on experts or consultants Develop a competitive advantage in non-technology areas to compensate Be a “technophile” Not a technophobe Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Guide: Keeping Up to Speed (cont’d)
What can a manager do? Don’t ignore technology Take seminars Read articles, ads C/NET, CIO.com Wall Street Journal technology articles Attend professional events Get involved as a user representative in technology committees Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Guide: Questioning Your Questions
For business problems, most difficult and creative tasks are generating questions and formulating a strategy for getting answers. Once questions and strategy are set, rest is simply legwork. As a future consumer of information technology and services, you need to be able to ask good questions and effectively obtain answers. Rapidly changing technology will require you to learn about new IS alternatives and how you can apply them in your business. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Irrelevant Answer won’t tell you why Dead Provides no insight into subject Asked of the wrong source Don’t ask “What is it?” questions of valuable or expensive sources “How can I use it? Is it the best choice for our company or situation?” Questions can be bad in three ways: Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

As you progress in your educational career, you should be learning how to discern the quality of judgment and evaluative answers Learn to question your questions Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Active Review Q1: What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware? Q2: What do business professionals need to know about software? Q3: Is open source software a viable alternative? Q4: How can you use this knowledge? Q5: 2021? Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Case Study 4: Dell Leverages the Internet, Directly, but for How Long?
Video Dell pays close attention to its suppliers and shares information with them on product quality, inventory, and related subjects via a secure website Provides basic technical support, deployment services, services to maintain and manage Dell systems Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

Dell Case Study (cont’d)
2009, components of PCs seem to be selling, but not PCs themselves. What might this mean? Sept. 2009, Dell bought Perot Systems for $3.9 billion. Perot was a provider of information systems services to health care and governmental customers. Dell views some change in its corporate strategy. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall

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