Essentials of Management Information Systems, 6e Chapter 6 Hardware and Software in the Enterprise...

Essentials of Management Information Systems, 6eEssentials of Management Information Systems, 6eChapter 6 Hardware and Software in the EnterpriseChapter 6 Hardware and Software in the Enterprise

6.1

Hardware and Software in theEnterprise

Chapter 6


6.2

Objectives

1. What computer processing and storage capability does our organization need to handle its information and business transactions?

2. What arrangement of computers and computer processing would best benefit our organization?

3. What kinds of software and software tools do we need to run our business? What criteria should we use to select our software technology?


6.3

Objectives

• What new software technologies are available? How would they benefit our organization?

• How should we acquire and manage the firm’s hardware and software assets?


6.4

Management Challenges

1. The centralization versus decentralization debate.

2. The application backlog.


6.5

Computer Hardware and Information Technology Infrastructure

Hardware components of a computer system

Figure 6-1


6.6

Bit

• Binary digit

• Represents 0 or 1

Byte

• String of eight bits

• Stores one number, symbol, character, part of picture


The Computer System


6.7


Bits and bytes

Figure 6-2


6.8

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Controls other parts of computer

• Arithmetic-logic unit performs principle logical/mathematical operations

• Control unit coordinates other parts, such as reading a stored program


The Computer System


6.9

Primary Storage

• Located near CPU• Stores all or part of active software program• Stores operating system software• Stores data the program is using


The Computer System


6.10

Primary Storage

• Composed of semi-conductors• RAM (random access memory): Used for short-

term, temporary storage• ROM (read-only memory): Semiconductor

memory chips with program instructions


The Computer System


6.11


The CPU and primary storage

Figure 6-3


6.12

Microprocessors

• Semiconductor chips integrate memory, logic, and control circuits for entire CPU

• Speed depends on number of bits processed at one time; amount of data that can be moved between devices; and cycle speed (MHz)

• RISC (reduced instruction set computing) increases speed; used for scientific, workstation computing


Computer Processing


6.13

Parallel processing

• Multiple CPUs work simultaneously on same problem

• More than one instruction processed at a time

• Massively parallel computers: use hundreds, thousands of processing chips


Computer Processing


6.14


Sequential and parallel processing

Figure 6-4


6.15

Secondary Storage Technology

• Used for relatively long-term storage of data outside CPU

• Magnetic disk: floppies, hard disks, RAID

• Optical disk: CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD

• Magnetic tape

• Storage networking: direct-attached storage; network-attached storage; storage area networks


Storage, Input, and Output Technology


6.16


A storage area network (SAN)

Figure 6-5


6.17

Input Devices• Keyboard and mouse• Touch screen• Optical character recognition• Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)• Pen-based input• Digital scanner• Audio input• Sensors• Radio-frequency identification (RFID)




6.18

Output Devices

• Cathode-ray tube (CRT)• Printers• Audio output




6.19

Batch Processing• Accumulates and stores transactions in group or batch until

time to process them

• Found primarily in older systems for occasional reporting

• Use tape storage

Online Processing• Transactions processed immediately

• Use disk storage




6.20

Interactive Multimedia

• Integrates sound, video or animation, graphics, text into computer-based application

• Streaming technology

• New compression standards: MP3 (MPEG3)




6.21

• Mainframe: Largest computer; handles massive amounts of data; used for large business, scientific, military applications

• Midrange computer: Smaller, less expensive minicomputers or servers; used for smaller organizations or managing networks

• Minicomputers: Used in systems for universities, factories, research labs

• Servers: Manage internal company networks or Web sites

Categories of Computers and Computer Systems

Classifying Computers


6.22

• Personal computer: Portable or desktop microcomputer

• Workstation: More powerful desktop computer used for computation-intense tasks

• Supercomputer: Sophisticated, powerful computer used for tasks requiring rapid, complex calculations; weapons research, weather forecasting


Classifying Computers


6.23

• Distributed processing: Distribution of processing work among multiple computers

• Centralized processing: Accomplished by one large central computer

• Client/server computing: Splits processing between “clients” and “servers” on network


Computer Networks and Client/Server Computing


6.24


Client/server computing

Figure 6-6


6.25


Types of client/server computing

Figure 6-7


6.26

• Network computer (NC): Simplified desktop computer, does not store data permanently

• Peer-to-peer computing: Distributed processing that links computers through Internet or private networks

• Grid computing: Applies computational resources of many networked computers to solve a large, complex problem


Network Computers and Peer-to-Peer Computing


6.27

• Software program: A series of statements or instructions to the computer

• Two major types of software: System software and application software

• System software: Generalized programs that manage the computer’s resources

• Application software: Programs written for or by users to perform a specific task

Types of Software


6.28

Types of Software

The major types of software

Figure 6-8


6.29

• Operating system software: Manages the computer system, resources; controls memory, input, output, and task scheduling

• Computer language translation programs: Compiles source code of high-level language programs (C, FORTRAN) into object code - machine language the computer can execute

• Utility programs: Perform routine, repetitive tasks such as copying, clearing primary storage

Types of Software

System Software and PC Operating Systems


6.30

Operating System Capabilities

• Multiprogramming: Concurrent use of CPU by multiple programs

• Virtual storage: Breaks programs into smaller portions to read as needed

• Time-sharing: Allows many users to share CPU time

• Multi-processing: Links two or more CPUs to work in parallel in single computer system

Types of Software



6.31

PC Operating Systems

• Software written for one OS generally cannot run on another

• Graphical User Interface (GUI): Dominant model for user interface for operating systems and applications

Types of Software



6.32

Leading PC Operating Systems• Windows XP• Windows 2000• Windows Server 2003• Windows 98/ME• Windows CE• Unix• Linux• Mac OS• DOS

Types of Software



6.33

The Case for Linux

• Should a company select Linux as an operating system for its major business applications?

• What are the management benefits Linux provides?

• What are the business as well as the technology issues that should be addressed when making that decision?

Types of Software

Window on Management


6.34

Types of Software

Application Programming Languages

Machine language

1st generation; binary

C Operating systems; application software

C++ Object-oriented; application software

COBOL Business administration; alphanumeric processing

Visual Basic Visual tool; Windows applications


6.35

Types of Software

Application Programming Languages

FORTRAN Processing numeric data; scientific, engineering programs

BASIC Used for teaching

Pascal Used primarily for teaching programming

Assembly language

Second generation; close to machine language; system software


6.36

• Fourth generation languages: Enable end users to develop applications with minimal or no assistance; less procedural

• Procedural languages: Require sequence of steps

• Nonprocedural languages: Specify tasks but not details on sequence

• Natural languages: Nonprocedural languages resembling human speech

• Query languages: Software tools for providing online answers to information requests

Types of Software

Programming Languages and Contemporary Software Tools


6.37

Types of Software

Categories of Fourth-Generation Languages

PC software tools General-purpose packages

WordPerfect, Microsoft Access

Query language Retrieve data stored in databases or files

SQL

Report generator Retrieve data, more formatting control; Crystal Reports

Graphics language Retrieve data, graphics format

SAS Graph; Systat


6.38

Types of Software

Categories of Fourth-Generation Languages

Application generator Preprogrammed modules

FOCUS, Microsoft FrontPage

Application software package

Commercial software replacing need for custom, in-house software

PeopleSoft HCM, SAP R/3

Very high-level programming language

Generate code with fewer instructions; productivity tool for programmers

APL, Nomad2


6.39

Object-Oriented Programming

• Combine data and methods (procedures) into one object

• Objects are independent, reusable building blocks

• Based on concepts of class and inheritance

Types of Software



6.40

Types of Software

Class and inheritance

Figure 6-9


6.41

Java

• Object-oriented• Platform-independent• Robust; handles data, graphics, video, sound• Can create “applets”; often used on Web• Java applications tend to run slower than “native”

programs

Types of Software



6.42

• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): Page description language; creates Web pages and other hypermedia documents

• XML (eXtensible Markup Language): Describes the structure of a document; provides standard format for data exchange

• XHTML: Reformulates HTML with XML document-type definitions

Types of Software



6.43

• Word processing software: Create, format, print documents

• Desktop publishing software: Produce professional-quality documents with greater formatting, design capabilities

• Spreadsheets: Display data in grid for recalculating numerical data

• Data management software: Store, manipulate data in lists and databases

Types of Software

Application Software Packages and Productivity Software


6.44

Types of Software

Text and the spell-checking option in Microsoft Word

Figure 6-10


6.45

Types of Software

Spreadsheet software

Figure 6-11


6.46

Types of Software

Data management software

Figure 6-12


6.47

• Presentation graphics: Create professional-quality graphics and multimedia presentations

• Integrated Software Packages and Suites: Combine two or more applications; easy data transfer

• E-mail software: Computer exchange of messages

• Web browsers: Access and display Web, Internet resources

• Groupware: Support activities of workgroups

Types of Software

Application Software Packages and Productivity Software


6.48

• Enterprise software: Integrates multiple business processes

• Legacy system: System in place for long time

• Middleware: Software that connects two disparate systems

• Enterprise application integration (EAI) software: Middleware to create hub connecting applications and application clusters

Types of Software

Software for Enterprise Integration and E-Business


6.49

Types of Software

Enterprise application integration (EAI) software versus traditional integration

Figure 6-13


6.50

• Web services: Universal standards using Internet technology for exchanging data between systems

• Web server: Manages requests for Web pages on computer where they are stored

• Application server: Middleware software handling application operations between user and back-end business systems

Types of Software

Software for Enterprise Integration and E-Business


6.51

Types of Software

A multitiered architecture for e-commerce and e-business

Figure 6-14


6.52

Application Integration to the Rescue

• How can enterprise application integration and Web services technology provide value for organizations?

• What management, organization, and technology issues should be addressed when making the decision about whether to use these technologies?

Types of Software

Window on Technology


6.53

• Capacity planning: Process of predicting when a computer hardware system becomes saturated

• Scalability: Ability of a computer, product, or system to expand to serve a larger number of users without breaking down

Managing Hardware and Software Assets

Hardware Technology RequirementsFor Electronic Commerce and the Digital Firm


6.54

• Includes both direct and indirect costs• Hardware and software acquisitions account for

only 20% of TCO• TCO for a PC may run to three times original

purchase price• Hidden costs can make distributed architecture

more expensive than centralized mainframes


Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Technology Assets


6.55

• Hardware acquisition• Software acquisition• Installation• Training• Support• Maintenance• Infrastructure• Downtime• Space and energy


Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Cost Components


6.56

• Storage service provider: Provides online access to storage devices and storage area network technology

• Application service provider: Delivers applications over networks on subscription basis

• Management service provider: Manages applications, systems, security, storage, Web sites, system performance


Rent or Build Decisions: Using Technology Service Providers


6.57

Types of Software

Model of an Application Service Provider (ASP)

Figure 6-15


6.58

• Business continuity provider: Defines procedures for recovery from system malfunctions, disaster recovery

• Utility computing: Model in which companies pay only for resources used in a specific time period


Rent or Build Decisions: Using Technology Service Providers


6.59

1. Evaluate Zurich North America Canada using the value chain and competitive forces models. Why did IT asset management become so important to this company?

2. Why did Zurich North America have problems managing its hardware and software assets? How serious were these problems? What management, organization, and technology factors were responsible for those problems?

3. How did Zurich North America solve its asset management problem? What managerial and technology tools did it use?

Chapter 6 Case Study

Zurich North America Hunts Down Its IT Assets

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