1

HOSP5000 Hospitality and Tourism Information Technology

2

Essentials of Computer Systems

A Brief History

3

Types of Computers

• Mainframe Computers– Used for data

storage and data transactions

• CRS• GDS

4

Types of Computers

• Midrange Computers– Smaller then

Mainframes– Used as servers

• PMS• POS

5

Types of Computers

• Microcomputer (PC)– Workstation– Desktop– Notebook – Palmtop

• Used to access application housed on servers

6

How Computers Are Measured

• Speed (Hertz): Cycles per second– Megahertz (MHz) 1 Million cycles per second– Gigahertz (GHz) 1 Billion cycles per second– Terahertz (THz) 1 Trillion cycles per second

• Storage Capacity: Bytes– Megabyte (MB) 1 Million bytes– Gigabytes (GB) 1 Billion bytes– Terabyte (TB) 1 Trillion bytes

7

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

•The Brains of the computer•Performs Calculations•Enables all the elements of the computer to work with each other.•Measured in hertz • 3.0 Ghz and better is today’s standard.

8

Memory

•RAM (Random Access Memory)

– Holds a temporary version of programs or data that is being processed by the user.

•Measured in bytes •Today’s standard is 1GB to 2GB

9

Storage Devices

•Retains Data and/or programs that can be accessed by the CPU (permanent)

– Hard Drives– CD\DVD Drives– Tape Cartridges

(used for backups)– Thumb / Flash Drives

10

Printers

•Impact Printers– Prints character by

character and line by line.

•Non-impact printer– Thermal – Ink-jet– Laser

11

Software

• System Software (Operating System)– A set of programs

that instruct the operation of the hardware components

12

• Application Software– Word processing,

spreadsheets

13

Networking

• A configuration of work stations that enable users to share data, programs and output devices– Client/Server Environment

• Client is the individual user workstation• Server contains the software application and

the data.

14

Types of Networks

• LAN - Local Area Network– Operates within a single company or

institution

• WAN - Wide Area Network– Covers a wide geographic area

15

Wi-Fi

Connects a network of computers without wire.

• Restaurant: Order taking.• Remote check-ins and check-outs.• Internet from many locations.

16

VoIP

• Voice over Internet Protocol– Allows telephone calls to be made using

a Broadband Internet Connection

17

HSIA

• High Speed Internet Access – Valued as much as Cable TV by guests

• Should we charge the guest?

18

Investment in Technology

•File Server (2) $10,000•Workstations (70) $1,200•Cabling $75,000•Software and maintenance $250,000

•Network Hardware $7,000•Total Cost: $436,000