Information Technology Management SystemINFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Gilbert R. HufanaProfessor

Information Technologythe application of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data, often in the context of a business or other enterpriseHardware, software and computer network

HARDWAREInformation Technology Management System

What is a computer?a general-purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a set ofarithmeticor logical operationsconsists of at least one processing element and some form of memoryPeripheral devices allow information to be retrieved from an external source, and the result of operations saved and retrieved (input/output)

Types of Computers in UseSupercomputersMainframesMinicomputersWorkstationsMicrocomputers/PCsHandheld and wearable computers

SupercomputersMost powerful, most expensive and rarest of the computers in use todayMain uses military & scientific worksWeather modeling, nuclear explosion simulations & aircraft designFilm industry graphic intensive special effects5-1o times faster than mainframesSpeed: 10,000 8M MIPS; Memory: 8GbCost: $4-$8M

MainframesCentralized power and controlprovide services for large community of usersIt has diminished w/ the advent of the increased power of smaller computersMainframe software is very expensive & limited compared to PCSpeed: 1000-5000 MIPS w/ 4-16Gb memoryCost: $0.5-$4MSize: about the size of large fridge

MinicomputersCut-down version of mainframes Provide services to small-medium community of usersSize is that of a filing cabinetSpeed: 200-500 MIPS; 2-4Gb memory sizeCost: $40K-$200K

WorkstationsA cut-down minicomputer catering to the needs of a single userMost professional regard workstation much greater performance & functionality than a PCSpeed: 100-200 MIPS w/ 2-4Gb memory size

MicrocomputersDesktop/portable computers for single userMost software processing is localizedConcept of decentralizationTechnical spec changes every two monthsOften configured as serversAlthough their architecture is PC, they usually have higher performance & storage specs

Handheld & Wearable ComputersPersonal organizers & productsUsed by warehousing & distribution operationsCombined w/ mobile communications, these have the potential to transform business processesThese devices are mere extensions/access points to a larger system

The Computer - Von Neumann Architecture (VNA)

Input DevicesMost common keyboard & mouseComposite devicesGame controller, game pad, paddle, Wii RemoteScanning/Imaging & Video Input DevicesCamera, image scanner, fingerprint scanner, barcode reader, 3D scanner, laser rangefinderMedical ImagingCT & PET Scan, MRI, Positron UltrasonographyAudio Devices microphone, MIDI KB, other digital musical instrument

The Central Processing Unittheelectronic circuitrywithin acomputerthat carries out theinstructionsof acomputer programby performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control andinput/output(I/O) operations specified by the instructionsprogrammabledevice that accepts digital dataas input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides results as output

Output DevicesHard or soft copyHard copy involves printing processDot-matrix, desk or ink jet, laser, plotter for large scale printingSoft copy display screens & monitorsCRTs and LCDsAudio Devices speakers & headphones

Primary Storage DevicesRefer to the computers main memoryEither ROM or RAMROM non-erasable hardware modules that usually come with programs installed.Non-volatile; holds basic instruction for starting a PC, carrying out diagnostic tests & loading the OS into RAMRAM the main memory; stores data & programs on which the computer is working

Secondary Storage DevicesEither magnetic, optical or electronicMagnetic Disks magnetic tape, hard disks, floppy disksOptical CDs and DVDsFlash Memory flash drives via PCMCIA slot or USB port

SOFTWAREInformation Technology Management System

What is a Software?any set of machine-readable instructions that directs acomputer's processor to perform specific operationsComputer programs/instructionsstored incomputer memoryand is intangible, it cannot be touched

Types of SoftwareApplications softwareSystems software

Applications SoftwareDoes something useful for usersMaybe specialized (vertical) or general purpose (horizontal)Customized high quality packaged software which is very flexibleConcern: max ROI from HW & SWNo system is perfect compromises in performance, quality, user-friendliness get the best compromise

System SoftwareThe OS and the user interface and its associated utilitiesOS manages the underlying resources of the computerUtilities provide a convenient interface between the user & the underlying HW/AppsFile Managers, screen saversPlatform specificPersonal, work group & corporate

Apple vs MicrosoftTotal package HW & SWUser-friendly, well-engineered w/ a slick GUIIdeal for high-end desktop software

Users had to understand how the computer worked in order to use it effectivelyMS was firmly focused on the PC market

LINUXA PC version of UnixPotential to weaken Microsofts market dominance in system softwareUser community grows as it becomes more worthwhile developing software for the PC/LINUX platformUsers are able to run MS products on a PC using LINUX minor problemsDominant web server OS

Packaged SoftwareCan be used as isPurchased from resellers w/o intermediaries such s consultantsCost is usually low, tends to be well-supported & relatively error-freeDependent on the manufacturer and has to pay regular upgrades & user supportIf packaged SW is vertical, it is very expensive to migrate to a better product

Customized SoftwareUsually supplied and installed to a clients specifications by value-added reseller (VAR)Eliminates dependency on SW manufacturer but dependent on VAR insteadHave more errors than packaged softwareMuch more expensive than packaged software.

Custom SoftwareProducing your own softwareReasons:No suitable package on the market to perform required taskFor sustainable strategic & competitive advantageHoping to recover costs and make profit by selling the finished productVery expensive to produce and maintainMore likely to have errors

A Comparative View

Package SoftwareCustomizable SoftwareCustom SoftwareStrategic/tactical advantageLowMediumHighManagement & maintenance costs & effortsLowMediumHigh

SpecializationLowMediumHighCostLowMediumHighCost & Effort of upgradeLowMediumHighRange of functionalityHighMediumLowDependency on third partiesHighMediumLow

Free SoftwareShareware or freewareAvailable for download on the internet or freely circulated on diskNo guarantee of quality, user support or security

Open Sourcecomputer software that is available in source code form for which the source code and certain other rights normally reserved for copyright holders are provided under a software license that permits users to study, change, and improve the software

Open SourceOpen source software refers to de jure standardsEx. LINUX anyone can develop code for LINUX, if it is intended for public distribution then it must conform to standardOthers are free to use but their source code is not available to developers

Proprietary Sourceused to mean computer software which is neither free nor open source it has a copyright owner who can exercise control over what users can do with the software, in contrast to public domain.

COMPUTER NETWORKSInformation Technology Management Systems

Computer Networkatelecommunications networkwhich allowscomputersto exchangedatacomputing devices pass data to each other along data connectionsdata is transferred in the form of packetsconnections between nodes are established using eithercable mediaorwireless mediathe best-known computer network is theInternet

Computer NetworksWide Area NetworkLocal Area NetworkPersonal Area NetworkVPN Virtual Private Network

Cellular & Wireless CommunicationsTelephonyData transferCommunication between PCs and peripheral devices

BluetoothDevelop to support communication between PCs & peripheral devicesMobile phones & handheld computersSpeed: 2Mbps voice; 64 Kbps dataUses the cellular approach; worked w/in 10m radius

Wireless NetworkingWiFi - the standard (IEEE802.11)a 54 Mbps @ 20mb WIFI; 11Mbps @

LTE/4GanacronymforLong-Term Evolutioncommonly marketed as4G LTEa standard forwirelesscommunication of high-speed data for mobile phones and data terminalsbased on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies, increasing the capacity and speed using a different radio interface together with core network improvements

Wireless Networking

Pervasive NetworkingNetworking is finding its way into many different kinds of technologyTV, DVDs, video cams, cars, refrigerators & so on have networking capability installed

Internet AccessDial-up access 56 KbpsTied to a phone lineBroadband DSL 0.5 MbpsNot tied up to a phone lineADSL Asymmetric DSLThe up & down do not operate at the same capacityISDN telephone lineWireless Broadband

Network Securityconsists of the provisions made in an underlying computer network infrastructure, policies adopted by the network administrator to protect the network and the network-accessible resources from unauthorized access and the effectiveness (or lack) of these measures combined together (wikipedia.org)has become a major concern to companies throughout the world

Security IssuesHow do you protect confidential information from those who do not explicitly need to access it?

How do you protect your network and its resources from malicious users and accidents that originate outside your network?

Virtual Private Network (VPN)a computer network in which some of the links between nodes are carried by open connections or virtual circuits in some larger networks, such as the Internet

SummaryNetworking has transformed many companies do business.It has enabled small business to operate globally and made it possible to form strategic alliances & partnerships in their supply chain & customer relationship mgmt.

THANK YOU!End of Lecture