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Hardware and Software
Using MIS 4eChapter 4
This Could Happen to You: “We Called It Strangle and Cram”
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
FlexTime scenario video
“Strangle and cram”
• Cut off support to an older version of a product (strangle) and tell your customers that to get support they have to upgrade to the new version (cram).
Neil suggest going to a thin client/server architecture using open source software
4-2
Like Neil, you might go into the computer industry and transition to some other business. If so, you’ll know “how the game is played.” However, you might not. You might become a department manager, or own your own small business, or be appointed to your law firm’s technology committee. Whatever direction your career takes, you don’t want to be one of those professionals who “waste a lot of money. . . and time.” The knowledge from this chapter can help.
You don’t need to be an expert, a hardware engineer, or a computer programmer. You do need to know enough, however, to be an effective consumer. You need the knowledge and skills to ask important, relevant questions and understand the answers. We begin with basic hardware and software concepts, then discuss how you can use your knowledge to prepare a computer budget for your department and wrap up by forecasting trends in hardware and software in 2021.
Chapter Preview
4-3Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
Q1: What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware?
Q2: What do business professionals need to know about software?
Q3: Is open source software a viable alternative?
Q4: How can you use this knowledge?
Q5: 2021?
Study Questions
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-4
Watch the video clip
Q1: What Do Business Professionals Need to Know About Computer Hardware?
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4-5
• Hardware includes electronic components and related gadgetry that input, process, output, and store data according to instructions encoded in computer programs or software.
Input hardware includes: Keyboard, mouse, scanners, microphones, and handwriting for a tablet PC.Processing hardware includes: Central processing unit (CPU), which can be a dual-processor or a quad-processor, main memory, and special function cards.Output hardware includes: Video displays, printers, audio speakers, overhead projectors, and special-purpose devices.
Storage hardware includes: Magnetic disks, optical disks, and magnetic tape.
Four Categories of Basic Computer Components
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Binary digits (bits)• Used to represent
data• Bit is either 0 or 1
Computer Data
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4-7
Sizing Computer Data―Bytes―8-bit chunk = 1
byte
Storage Capacity Terminology
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4-8
In Fewer Than 300 Words, How Doesa Computer Work?
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How Does a Computer Work? (cont’d)(click here for more info)
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Transfers program or data from disk to main memory
Moves instruction from main memory via data channel or bus
Has small amount of fast memory called cache
4-10
• Program instructions• Operating system
instructions
Main memory contains
• Program that controls computer’s resources and blocks of data
• Provides services to application programs and users
Operating system
(OS)
How Does a Computer Work? (cont’d)
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
4-11
Occurs when RAM is too small to hold all open programs and data
CPU loads new program segments into unused memory
• If none available, operating system will swap out existing instructions, or data, to a disk and copy requested program, or data, to freed space
• Swapping slows down your computer
Memory Swapping
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4-12
• Too little means constant memory swapping
• Need more memory for processing many programs or large files
Main memory
size
•Expressed in hertz (Hz): Electrical voltage that changes from
low to high and back again at regular intervals
• Need more speed if handling large spreadsheets or database files
•32-bit CPU 4 GB RAM•64-bit CPU almost unlimited RAM
CPU speed
Why Should a Manager Care How a Computer Works?
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4-13
• Slow personal computers have speed of 1.5 Gigahertz, fast ones have speed of 3+ GHz, with dual processing (2009)
CPU speed (hertz)
• 64-bit CPU can address more main memory
• Effectively utilize more than 4 GB of memory
• More expensive than 32-bit processors
CPUs classified
as 32-bit or 64-bit
Why Does a Manager Care How a Computer Works?
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Simple tasks, such as word processing, do not need fast CPU; a 32-bit, 1.5 GHz CPU will be fine
Processing large, complicated spreadsheets or manipulating large database files, or editing large picture, sound, or movie files needs a fast computer like a 64-bit, dual processor with 3.5 GHz+ speed
Cache and main memory are volatile meaning their contents are lost when power is off
Magnetic and optical disks are nonvolatile, meaning their contents survive when power is off
Why Does a Manager Care How a Computer Works?
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Cache and main memory are “volatile” Contents lost when power is cut off
Stores frequently used instructions
Large cache makes computer fast, but more expensive
Why Should a Manager Care How a Computer Works? (cont’d)
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Magnetic and optical disks are “nonvolatile” Saved contents survive after power is off Used for secondary storage
4-16
What Is Difference Between a Client and a Server?
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Clients used for word processing, spreadsheets, database access, connecting to a network
• Computers used by an individual for word processing, spreadsheets, database access, and so forth
• Most client computers have software that enables connecting to a private network at work or school, or public Internet
Client computers
• Provide service (such as email; serving pages on a website; processing large, shared databases; or other functions) to multiple users
Server computers
Clients and Servers
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• Must be fast and have multiple CPUs
• Need lots of main memory, at least 4GB
• Require very large disks—often a terabyte or more
• Servers almost always accessed from another computer via a network
• Have limited video displays, or no display at all
• Many have no keyboard
A typical server:
Clients and Servers
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• Large collection of coordinated servers• Amazon can process 110 order items per
second.
Server farm
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Google Data sitesInside a Google Data Center (video)
• A network of computers that operates as an integrated whole; grid appears to be a single computer
• May support a server farm, or some other computing need
• Organizations lease time on a grid from other organizations that create, support, and manage that grid IBM leases time on a grid for
applications that require intensive arithmetic computing
IBM leases time on a special-purpose grid to archive medical records
(See www-03.ibm.com/grid)
Grid computing
Grid Computing
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Cloud computing
Cloud Computing
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Hall
A form of hardware or software leasing in which organizations obtain server resources from vendors that specialize in server processing
Mark suggests a conspiracy between hardware and software vendors
• Hardware vendors create new, faster computers
• Software vendors create products with more features• Time-
consuming to learn
• Features only needed by some users
Ethics Guide: Churn and Burn
4-23Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Products have defects• Viruses as example• Vendors turn these into a sales
advantageShould users accept these problems?Should they rise up in protest?
What should vendors do?
Ethics Guide: Churn and Burn (cont’d)
4-24Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
• Run only on particular types of hardware32-bit Windows runs only on Intel
32-bit CPUs, 64-bit Windows runs only on Intel 64-bit CPUs
• Must conform to instruction set of CPU
• Windows works only on Intel instruction set CPUs
Operating systems
• Written for a particular operating systemApplicati
on programs
Q2: What Do Business Professionals Need to Know About Software?
4-25Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Four major operating systems• Windows (95% of business users)• Mac OS (graphic arts)• Unix (scientific and engineering applications)• Linux (open source community)
What a Manager Needs to Know about Software (Watch Video)
4-26Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
What a Manager Needs to Know about Software (cont’d)
4-27Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
License
Right to use specified number of copies of a program
Limits vendor’s liability
Site License
Flat fee payment for right to install software product on all company computers or all computers at a specific site
Own vs. License
4-28Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Virtualization
4-29Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
Guest Operating Systems
Windows Linux
Virtualization
Three types of virtualization
• PC virtualization• Server virtualization• Desktop virtualization
Very easy to set up a virtual machine and configure it in a specific wayCloud vendors can add and remove instances of servers very quickly and cheaply
Windows Server Computer Hosting Two Virtual machines
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Hall
PC virtualization, a personal computer, such as a desktop or portable computer, hosts several different operating systems.
Server virtualization, a server computer hosts one or more, other server computers. Server virtualization makes cloud computing feasible.
Virtual desktop can be accessed from any computer to which user has access. Thus, you could be at an airport computer and access what appears to be your own personal computer.
Types of Virtualization
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Hall
• Performs a service or function • Some are general purpose,
such as Microsoft Excel or Word
• Others provide specific functions, such as QuickBooks (general ledger and other accounting functions)
Application software
What Types of Applications Exist and How Do Organizations Obtain Them?
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Horizontal-market application software
• Vertical-market application software
What Categories of Application Programs Exist?
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Off-the-shelf-software
Off-the-shelf with alterations software• Develop custom application software in-
house or hire a development vendor• Custom development difficult and risky• Staffing and managing teams of
software developers is challenging • Managing software projects can be
daunting. Development projects often take twice as long, or longer, to finish as planned.
• Cost overruns of 200–300% not uncommon
• Only used when no other option
Tailor-made software or
custom-developed software
How Do Organizations Acquire Application Software?
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Computer software installed into devices
• Printers, print servers, communication devices
• Coded like other software• Installed into read-only memory• Can be changed and upgraded
What Is Firmware?
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Thin client• Requires nothing more than browser• Does not require installation and
administration of client software
Thick client• Has more code to run on it• More features and functions• More expense and administration
Why Are Thin Clients Preferred to Thick Clients?
4-36Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Client and Server Computers Can Run Different Operating Systems
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These websites may be useful in your deliberations:•www.dell.com•www.hp.com•www.lenovo.com•www.cnet.com•Do not constrain yourselves to this list
Using MIS InClass 4: A Group Exercise Choosing a Computer
4-38Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
Form a team to identify most appropriate computer for three different scenarios. For each scenario, determine hardware and software requirements: Size and type of computer, processor speed, size of main memory and disk, operating system, application programs, maintenance and support agreements, and any other factors you deem appropriate.
Scenario 1: Political science major asks you to help her purchase a new laptop computer. Wants to use computer for email, Internet access, and for note-taking in class, and spend less than $1,000.
a. What CPU, memory, and disk specifications would you recommend?
b. What software does she need?c. Shop for the best computer deal for her.d. Which computer would you recommend, and why?e. Present your answer to the rest of the class.
May the best group win!
Using MIS InClass 4: A Group Exercise Choosing a Computer (cont’d)
4-39Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
Scenario 2: Your father: email, Internet access, downloading pictures from digital camera, uploading pictures to a shared photo service, and creating documents for members of his antique auto club.
a. What CPU, memory, and disk specifications would you recommend?
b. What software does he need?c. Shop for the best computer deal.d. Which computer would you recommend, and why?e. Present your answer to the rest of the class.
May the best group win!
Using MIS InClass 4: A Group Exercise Choosing a Computer (cont’d)
4-40Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
Scenario 3. Due to a budget reduction, your campus newspaper lost its university funding, and you and a group of five students have decided to replace it with your own newspaper. To do so, your group decides that it needs three computers; at least two of them need to be laptops. One can be either a laptop or a desktop.The university offers to sell you three Dell laptops for $2,100. Each laptop has 3MB of main memory, a 250GB disk, and a dual 1.7 MHz, 32-bit CPU. The laptops include Windows Vista and Office 2007 Ultimate (Access, Excel, Groove, InfoPath, OneNote, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word).
a. What CPU, memory, and disk specifications do you need?b. What software do you need?c. Shop for the best computer deal.d. Should you buy the university’s computers? Explain.e. Present your answer to the rest of the class.
May the best group win!
Using MIS InClass 4: A Group Exercise Choosing a Computer (cont’d)
4-41Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
GNU general public license (GPL) agreement
• Standard for open source software.
Successful open source projects OpenOffice (Microsoft Office look-alike) FireFox (Web browser) MySQL (DBMS, see Chapter 5) Apache (Web server, see Chapter 8) Ubuntu (Windows-like desktop operating
system) Android (Mobile-phone operating system)
Q3: Is Open Source Software a Viable Alternative?
4-42Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Programming intense combination of art and logic
Freedom to choose projects work on
Exercise creativity working on interesting and fulfilling projects
Exhibit one’s skill in order to get a job
Start a business selling services to support an open source product
Why Do Programmers Volunteer Their Services Open Source Projects?
4-43Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Proprietary
Software
Source code: Human readable compute
r code
Machine code: Source code is compiled
into instructions executed
directly by a computer’s
CPU
How Does Open Source Work?
4-44Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Closed-source or proprietary software. Source code is not available to users or public. Only available to trusted employees and carefully vetted contractors.
Open-source software available to users in source code form.
Source Code Sample
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Depends on requirements and constraints of situation. You will learn more about matching requirements and programs in Chapter 10.
“Free” open source software requires support and operational costs that could cost more than a licensing fee.
So, Is Open Source Viable?
4-46Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
• Most business professionals and managers have a role in: Specification of client
hardware and software they use
Specification of client hardware and software for employees
• In large organizations, IS department likely to set formal standards
• In medium to small organizations, managers need to take active role in setting specifications for computers
What buying
decisions do you make?
Q4: How Can You Use This Knowledge?
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Sources of System Costs
Sources of System Costs
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Goal is to select the hardware and software that will meet requirements at the minimum total system cost
Figure 4-15
A Business Manager’s Role in Hardware andSoftware Specifications
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Usually standardize on single client operating system because costs of supporting more than one unjustifiable.
Most choose Microsoft Windows clients. Some arts and design businesses standardize on Macintosh, and some engineering firms standardize on Unix.
Organizations with limited budgets might choose Linux with Ubuntu and Open Office on clients, but this is rare.
Medium to Small Organizations
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Specifying horizontal application software, such as Microsoft Office, or other software appropriate for their operating systems
Specifying requirements for vertical market or custom applications
Typically, no role in specifying server hardware, other than approving budget
Business manager and users of a client-server application specify requirements for vertical and custom-server software
Work with technical personnel to test and accept software
Role of Managers and Employees
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What Process Should I Use to Establish a Computer Budget?
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Determine categories of workers and software needed to access company web portal, email, minimal word processing
Identify specialists and their hardware and software needs
Determine computer workload requirements for each category of workers and managers
Use previous experience as a guide
What Process Should I Use to Establish a Computer Budget?
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Forecast changes
Price hardware and software
Negotiate prices (usually IT does this)
Add overhead costs to budget for networks, servers, and communications
Accounting department can help with cost estimates
Assess budget for feasibility and reasonableness•Consider your organization’s competitive strategy•Prepare justifications for any increases
What Process Should I Use to Establish a Computer Budget?
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-54
• Substantial change in your departmental head count
• Important new departmental functions or responsibilities
• Upgrading to major new versions of operating system or other software
• Implementation of new systems that require additional hardware
• Change in the way overhead expenses are allocated to your department
Reasons you may
need more
equipment
What Process Should I Use to Establish a Computer Budget?
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-55
Review and revise budget
Consider refurbished equipment
Delay upgrades to new operating system
Reallocate hardware among employees
Document results
Keep spreadsheet and notes used to prepare and justify budget
What Process Should I Use to Establish a Computer Budget?
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-56
Will Microsoft’s “three screens” strategy dominate?
Will Apple continue to “out innovate” Microsoft?
“PC Mules” will be rare
Large-screen computing/connectivity devices will be available everywhere
Acceleration of thin-client versions of all applications
Virtual desktop in the cloudEverything always synchronized for virtual client in the cloudEnormous change in hardware/software technologies, companies, industries, and users
Q5: 2021?
4-57Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice
Hall
If you don’t keep up, you might
not gain a competitive advantage
Don’t depend solely on
experts or consultants
Develop a competitive advantage in
non-technology areas to
compensate
Be a “technophile”
Not a technopho
be
Guide: Keeping up to Speed
4-58Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
What can a
manager do?
Don’t ignore
technology
Take seminars
Read articles,
ads
C/NET, CIO.com
Wall Street Journal
technology articles
Attend professiona
l eventsGet involved as a
user representative in technology committees
Guide: Keeping Up to Speed (cont’d)
4-59Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
For business problems, most difficult and creative tasks are generating questions and formulating a strategy for getting answers.
Once questions and strategy are set, rest is simply legwork.
As a future consumer of information technology and services, you need to be able to ask good questions and effectively obtain answers.
Rapidly changing technology will require you to learn about new IS alternatives and how you can apply them in your business.
Guide: Questioning Your Questions
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-60
1. Irrelevant Answer won’t tell you why
2. Dead Provides no insight into subject
3. Asked of the wrong source Don’t ask “What is it?” questions of valuable or expensive sources
“How can I use it? Is it the best choice for our company or situation?”
Questions can be bad in three ways:
Guide: Questioning Your Questions
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As you progress in your educational career, you should be learning how to discern the quality of judgment and
evaluative answers
Learn to question your questions
Guide: Questioning Your Questions
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall 4-62
Active Review
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Q1: What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware?
Q2: What do business professionals need to know about software?
Q3: Is open source software a viable alternative?
Q4: How can you use this knowledge?
Q5: 2021?
Dell pays close attention to its suppliers and shares information with them on product quality, inventory, and related subjects via a secure website http://valuechain.dell.com
Provides basic technical support, deployment services, services to maintain and manage Dell systems
Case Study 4: Dell Leverages the Internet, Directly, but for How Long?
4-64Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
Video
2009, components of PCs seem to be selling, but not PCs themselves. What might this mean?
Sept. 2009, Dell bought Perot Systems for $3.9 billion. Perot was a provider of information systems services to health care and governmental customers.
Dell views some change in its corporate strategy.
Dell Case Study (cont’d)
4-65Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall