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Homework #2

CAP303: Management Support System

PART-1

Q1.How do the different roles of system software and application software affect you as a business end user? How do you see this changing in the future?

Ans :-

Computer software consists of two major types of programs: (1) application software that directs the performance of a particular use, or application, of computers to meet the information processing needs of users, and (2) system software that controls and supports the operations of a computer system as it performs various information processing tasks. Refer to Figure 4.2 for an overview of the major types of software.

The system software acts as an interface between the computer hardware and the application software. The end user will interact mainly with application software. In the future this type of interface will become even easier to use as it moves towards natural interfaces.

Q2. Why is an operating system necessary? Why can’t an end user just load an application program in a computer and start computing?

Ans:-

An operating system is an integrated system of programs that supervises the operation of the CPU, controls the input/output storage functions of the computer system, and provides various support services. An operating system performs five basic functions: (1) a user interface for system and network communications with users, (2) resource management for managing the hardware resources of a computer system, (3) file management for managing files of data and programs, (4) task management for managing the tasks a computer must accomplish, and (5) utilities and other functions that provide miscellaneous

The instruction set implemented on the computer hardware (the machine language) is very limited. Programs using only these instructions would have to be extremely long and complicated, to perform the various processing tasks required by end users. Application programs thus require the operating system to act as an interface with the hardware, allowing application programs to be shorter, easier to understand, easier to use, and possibly allow multiple applications to run concurrently

Q3.How should an e-business enterprise store, access, and distribute data & information about their internal operations & external environment?

PART –B

Q4. Databases of information about a firm’s internal operations were formerly the only databases that were considered to be important to a business. What other kinds of databases are important for a business today?

ANS:-

Data is a vital organizational resource, which needs to be managed like other important business assets. Mostorganizations could not survive or succeed without quality data about their internal operations and externalenvironment. Managers need to practice data resource management - a managerial activity that appliesinformation systems technology like database management and other management tools to the task of managing anorganization's data resources to meet the information needs of business users.

Analyzing IBM versus Oracles We can learn a lot from this case about the major choices companies face in selecting database and applications

software. Take a few minutes to this case, and we will discuss it (See Analyzing IBM versus Oracle in Section IX). FOUNDATION DATA CONCEPTS - [Figure 3.2] A hierarchy of several levels of data has been devised that differentiates between different groupings, or elements, of data. Data are logically organized into:

Character- A character is the most basic logical data element. It consists of a single alphabetic, numeric, or other symbol. Field- A field consists of a grouping of characters. A data field represents an attribute (a characteristic or quality) of somee nt it y (object, person, place, or event).

Record - Related fields of data are grouped to form a record.Thus, a record represents a collection of attributes that describe an entity. Fixed-length records contain a fixed number of fixed-length data fields. Variable-length records contain a variable number of fields and field lengths.

File - A group of related records is known as a data file, ort ab l e. Files are frequently classified by the

application for which they are primarily used, such as a payroll file or an inventory file, or the type of datathey contain, such as a document file or a graphical image file. Files are also classified by their permanence,for example, a master file versus a transaction file. A transaction file would contain records of all transaction

Major types of databases.

b. Data warehouses and data mining.c. Logical data elements.d. Fundamental database structurese. Database access methods.

f. Database development.

Q5. How is the trend toward open systems, connectivity, and interoperability related to business use of the Internet, intranets, and extranets?

Ans:-

As more businesses become dependent on the use of the Internet, intranets, and extranets in computing and telecommunications, the industry will strive to move closer towards achieving open systems which use common standards for hardware, software, applications, and networking. This computing environment will enable businesses to easily establish connectivity within their own organizations, as well as enable them to communicate with others outside the organization. Open systems will enable the many different applications of end users to be accomplished using the different varieties of computer systems, software packages, and databases provided by a variety of interconnected networks.

Q6. Explain the business value which is driving so many companies to rapidly install and extend intranets throughout their organizations?

Ans:-

The business value driving so many companies to rapidly install and extend intranets and enterprise information portals throughout their organizations is the ability to communicate, collaboration, and coordinate with others. Business value includes cost reductions, increased revenues, creating closer connections with their customers and suppliers. ROI on investment in this technology is quickly realized. Access to accurate, instant, and readily available data is crucial for all businesses today. e-commerce applications have enabled companies to derive business value by generating new revenue sources, reduce costs of doing business, develop new web-based products, increase customer loyalty and retention, attract new customers, and develop new markets and channels