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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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
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6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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
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10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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
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15. Encoding Schemes (Cont.)
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16. 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

17. 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

18. 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
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19. 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
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20. Classification of Computers (Cont.)
Microcomputers
Networks of microcomputers are replacing mainframes
Sometimes called workstations
Used for CAD, CAE, complex simulations and scientific applications
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21. 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
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22. 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
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23. 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

24. 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

25. 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
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26. 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
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27. Business Evolves with Computing
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28. Business Evolves with Computing
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29. A Peek Inside the Computer
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30. 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
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31. A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.)
Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

32. 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
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33. 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

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

35. 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

36. A Peek Inside the Computer (Cont.)
Memory
Registers
Primary Memory
Random access memory (RAM)
Cache Memory
Read-only memory (ROM)
Volatile v. Nonvolatile
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37. Computer Power Clock rate
Bus: amount of information the CPU can process per second
Throughput: speed determined only by combination of both factors
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38. Input Devices Keyboard Mouse, Trackball, and Track Pad Touch Screen
Source Data Input Devices
Imaging
Speech Recognition
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39. Input Devices (Cont.)
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40. 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
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41. Output Devices (Cont.)
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42. External Storage Media
Important Properties to Consider
Capacity, Access Speed, Access Mode, Cost
Mode of Access
Sequential v. Direct Access
Magnetic tapes
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43. External Storage Media (Cont.)
Magnetic Disks
Optical Disks
Optical Tapes
Flash Memory and Thumb Drives
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44. Business Considerations of Storage Media
Trade-offs
Modes of Access
Sequential Access: Tapes
Direct Access: Disks
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45. External Storage Media (Cont.)
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46. External Storage Media (Cont.)
Management Information Systems, 4th Edition

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

50. 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

51. 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

52. 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