Components of a computer-based information system

Hardware, software, telecommunications, people, and procedures are part of a business’s technology
infrastructure.

hardware: Computer equipment used to perform input, processing, storage, and output activities.

Tablet computer - Hardware consists of computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and
output activities. The trend in the computer industry is to produce smaller, faster, and more mobile
hardware, such as tablet computers.

software: The computer programs that govern the operation of the computer.

Smartphone running Android - Android is an operating system designed mainly for touch screen
mobile devices such as smart- phones and tablet computers.

database: An organized collection of facts and information, typically consisting of two or more related
data files.

Growth in data - The amount of digital data is expected to double every two years.

telecommunications: The electronic transmission of signals for communications that enables

organizations to carry out their processes and tasks through effective computer networks.

network: Computers and equipment that are connected in a building, around the country, or around the
world to enable electronic communications.

Internet: The world’s largest computer network, consisting of thousands of interconnected networks, all
freely exchanging information.

cloud computing: A computing environment in which software and data storage are provided by the
Internet (“the cloud”); the services are run on another organization’s computer hardware and both
software and data are easily accessed.

World Wide Web (WWW or Web): A network of links on the Internet to documents containing text,
video, and sound.

intranet: An internal network based on Web technologies that allows people within an organization to
exchange information and work on projects.

extranet: A network based on Web technologies that allows selected outsiders, such as business partners
and customers, to access authorized resources of a company’s intranet.

 When you sign in to the FedEx site (www.fedex.com) to check the status of a package, you
are using an extranet.

People - the most important element in computer-based information systems.

Chief information officer (CIO) - The CIO manages the Information Systems department, which
includes all the people who manage, run, program, and maintain a computer-based information system.

procedures: The strategies, policies, methods, and rules for using a CBIS.
The most common types of information systems used in business organizations are those designed for
electronic and mobile commerce, transaction processing, management information, and decision support.

Some organizations employ special-purpose systems, such as virtual reality, that not every organization
uses.

Business information systems -are often integrated into one product and can be delivered by the same
software package.

 were introduced in the 1950s and changed significantly in most decades after that.

HARDWARE COMPONENTS

central processing unit (CPU): The part of the computer that consists of three associated elements: the
arithmetic/logic unit, the control unit, and the register areas.

arithmetic/logic unit (ALU): The part of the CPU that performs mathematical calculations and makes
logical comparisons.

Hardware components

These components include the

input devices, output devices,
ports, bus, primary and
secondary storage devices, and
the central processing unit
(CPU). The control unit, the
arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), and
the register storage areas
constitute the CPU.
control unit: The part of the CPU that sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and co-
ordinates the flow of data in and out of the ALU, the registers, the primary storage, and even secondary
storage and various output devices.

register: High-speed storage area used to temporarily hold small units of program instructions and data
immediately before, during, and after execution by the CPU.

bus: A bus is a set of physical connections (such as cables and printed circuits) that can be shared by
multiple hardware components so they can communicate with one another.

primary storage (main memory; memory): Holds program instructions and data, is closely associated
with the CPU.

Processing Characteristics and Functions

clock speed: A series of electronic pulses produced at a predetermined rate that affects machine cycle
time.

gigahertz (GHz): Billions of cycles per second, a measure of clock speed.

byte (B): Eight bits that together represent a single character of data.

Types of Memory

random access memory (RAM): A form of memory in which instructions or data can be temporarily
stored.

read-only memory (ROM): A non- volatile form of memory.

Multiprocessing

multiprocessing: The simultaneous execution of two or more instructions at the same time.

multicore microprocessor: A microprocessor that combines two or more independent processors into a
single computer so that they share the workload and improve processing capacity.

parallel computing: The simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors to obtain
results faster.

massively parallel processing system: A form of multiprocessing that speeds processing by linking
hundreds or thousands of processors to operate at the same time, or in parallel, with each processor
having its own bus, memory, disks, copy of the operating system, and applications.

grid computing: The use of a collection of computers, often owned by multiple individuals or
organizations, to work in a coordinated manner to solve a common problem.

Access Methods

sequential access: A retrieval method in which data must be accessed in the order in which it is stored.

direct access: A retrieval method in which data can be retrieved without the need to read and discard
other data.

Secondary Storage Devices

sequential access storage device (SASD): A device used to sequentially access secondary storage data.

direct access storage device (DASD): A device used for direct access of secondary storage data.

magnetic tape: A type of sequential secondary storage medium, now used primarily for storing backups
of critical organizational data in the event of a disaster.

Robotic tape backup system - The National Center for Atmospheric Research uses a robotic tape backup
system to back up the supercomputer that solves the world’s most computationally intensive climate
modeling problems.

Magnetic Disks

hard disk drive (HDD): A direct access storage device used to store and retrieve data from rapidly
rotating disks coated with magnetic material.

magnetic disk: A direct access storage device, with bits represented by magnetized areas.

RAID

redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID): A method of storing data that generates
extra bits of data from existing data enabling the system to create a “reconstruction map” so that if a hard
drive fails, the system can rebuild lost data.

disk mirroring: A process of storing data that provides an exact copy that protects users fully in the
event of data loss.

virtual tape: A storage device for less frequently needed data so that it appears to be stored entirely on
tape cartridges, although some parts of it might actually be located on faster hard disks.

storage area network (SAN): A high-speed, special-purpose network that integrates different types of
data storage devices (e.g. hard disk drives, magnetic tape, solid state secondary storage devices) into a
single storage system and connects that to computing resources across an entire organization.

-A SAN provides high-speed connections among data-storage devices and computers over a network.
Optical Discs

compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM): A common form of optical disc on which data cannot be
modified once it has been recorded.

digital video disc (DVD): A storage medium used to store software, video games, and movies.

Flash drive - are solid state storage devices.

storage as a service: Storage as a service is a data storage model where a data storage service provider
rents space to individuals and organizations.

INPUT DEVICES

Drawing pad and integrated Keyboard - A drawing pad and integrated keyboard can replace a
traditional keyboard and mouse for input.

speech-recognition technology: Input devices that recognize human speech.

digital camera: An input device used with a PC to record and store images and video in digital form.

Scanning Devices - Scanning devices capture image and character data. A page scanner is like a copy
machine. You either insert a page into the scanner or place it face down on the glass plate of the scanner
and then scan it.

Optical Data Readers -You can also use a special scanning device called an optical data reader to scan
documents. The two categories of optical data readers are optical mark recognition (OMR) and optical
character recognition (OCR).

 You use OMR readers for grading tests and other purposes such as scanning forms.
 OCR readers can also convert handwritten or typed documents into digital data. After data is
entered, it can be shared, modified, and distributed over computer networks to hundreds or
thousands of people.

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Devices

MICR device - Magnetic ink character recognition technology codes data on the bottom of a check or
other form using special magnetic ink, which is readable by people and computers. For an example, look
at the bottom of a bank check.
magnetic stripe card: A type of card that stores a limited amount of data by modifying the magnetism of
tiny iron-based particles contained in a band on the card.

smart card: Credit card embedded with computer chip containing key consumer and account data;
cardholders must either enter their pin (chip-and-PIN) or sign (chip-and-sign) for each transaction to be
approved.

contactless payment card: A card with an embedded chip that only needs to be held close to a terminal
to transfer its data; no PIN number needs to be entered.

point-of-sale (POS) device: A terminal used to enter data into the computer system.

Bar-Code Scanners - A bar-code scanner employs a laser scanner to read a bar-coded label and pass the
data to a computer. This form of input is used widely in store check- outs and warehouse inventory
control. Bar codes are also used in hospitals, where a nurse scans a patient’s wristband and then a bar
code on the medication about to be administered to prevent medication errors.

Handheld POS terminal device - Using a wireless, handheld POS device, restaurant staff can take
orders and payments on the floor.

Radio frequency identification (RFID): A technology that employs a microchip with an antenna to
broadcast its unique identifier and location to receivers.

RFID tag - An RFID tag is small compared to current bar-code labels used to identify items.
Pen Input Devices

Using a pen input device -Using a pen input device directly on a digital pad, graphic designers can
precisely edit photos and drawings.

pixel: A dot of color on a photo image or a point of light on a display screen.

Printers and Plotters

Multifunction inkjet printer - The Hewlett-Packard all-in-one 6310 inkjet printer provides printing,
scanning, and copying functions.

3D printer- 3D print technology is making it possible to print objects ranging from everyday objects to
houses.

Kindle e-book reader -Kindle uses an e-paper display that looks similar to the printed page.
COMPUTER SYSTEM TYPES

portable computer: A computer small enough to carry easily.

handheld computer: A compact- sized computing device that is small enough to hold comfortably in one
hand, and typically includes a display screen with stylus and/or touch screen input along with a compact
keyboard or numeric keypad.

laptop computer: A personal computer designed for use by mobile users, being small and light enough
to sit comfortably on a user’s lap.

Ultrabook Computers -Numerous portable computers are smaller than the typical laptop and have
various names including notebook and the even smaller ultrabook.

tablet computer: A portable, light-weight computer with no keyboard that allows you to roam the office,
home, or factory floor carrying the device like a clipboard.

Nonportable Single-User Computers

thin client: A low-cost, centrally managed computer with essential but limited capabilities and no extra
drives (such as CD or DVD drives) or expansion slots.

Tablet computer - The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Android tablet has a large touch screen and a quad-
core processor.
desktop computer: A relatively small, inexpensive, single-user computer that is highly versatile.

nettop computer: An inexpensive desktop computer designed to be smaller, lighter, and consume much
less power than a traditional desktop computer.

Mac Pro desktop computer - Mac Pro desktop towers are small and cylindrical.

workstation: A more powerful personal computer used for mathematical computing, computer-assisted
design, and other high-end processing, but still small enough to fit on a desktop.

Multiple-User Computer Systems

server: A computer used by many users to perform a specific task, such as running network or Internet
applications.

blade server: A server that houses many individual computer motherboards that include one or more
processors, computer memory, computer storage, and computer network connections.

mainframe computer: A large, powerful computer often shared by hundreds of concurrent users
connected to the machine via terminals.

supercomputer: The most powerful computer system with the fastest processing speed.

World’s fastest computer- The supercomputer Tianhe-2 can operate as fast as 33.86 petaflops per second,
and is currently ranked as the world’s fastest computer.