Hardware, Software, And the Roles Of

7/26/2019 Hardware, Software, And the Roles Of

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HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND THEROLES OF SUPPORT PERSONNEL:

Prepared by: Jeffrey

Esteron


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Hardware is the physical part of the computer

and its associated equipment. Computer

hardware can comprise many different parts,

these include:

Input Devices: used to enter data; keyboard,

mouse, trackball, touch screen, light pen,

microphone, bar code reader, fax modem card,

joystick, and scanner.Output Devices: used toview and hear processed data; video monitor

screens, printers, speakers, and fax.


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Central Processing Unit (CPU)"brain" of the

computer, three components:Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): number "crunching"Memory: is the storage area in which program instruction

(code) reside during execution.Read-only memory (ROM) is permanent; it

remains when the power is off. Start-up

instructions for the computer is an example of

ROM.


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Random access memory (RAM) is a temporary

storage area for program instructions and data

that is being processed, it is only active while the

computer is turned on. (located on the

motherboard not part of CPU)

Control Unit: manages instructions to other parts

of the computer, including input and output

devices "traffic cop"


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Secondary Storage: provides space to retain

data in an area separate from the computer's

memory after the computer is turned off, these

include; hard disk drives, floppy disks, tape, zip

drives, optical drives and CD-ROM drives.


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COMPUTER CATEGORIES:

Super computers, are the largest and most expensive, can perform

billions of instructions every secondMainframes, large computers capable of processing several millions

instructions per second. They support organizational functions,

therefore have been the traditional equipment in hospitals.

Customized software results in high cost.Minicomputer, is a scaled-down version of the mainframe, since

they are now becoming more powerful they can now be found in

hospitals and HMO'sMicrocomputers(PCs), inexpensive processing power for an

individual user.Laptop or Notebook, Handheld, and Personal Digital Assistants

(PDAs)


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Anetworkis "a combination of hardware and

software that allows communication and electronic

transfer of information between computers" (as

cited in Hebda, 1998, p. 19).Hardware may be

connected permanently by wire (Ethernet), ortemporarily by wireless communication, and

modems/telephone lines. This allows the sharing of

computer and software resources, through the use

of the network. For example, several computers may

share one computer, or a word processing program

could also be accessed by many different users.

Networks, no matter how small or large, operate

with the client/server technology.


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AServerstores files and programs that are

accessed by the client on the network. When you

access the Internet from home, you the client

(your computer), requests files from a Server

(another computer), you see the results displayedon your screen through a browser. You may also

access a network in your clinical practice; you the

client, accesses a patient record on the floor from

a server, which stores the patient record.


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TYPES OF NETWORKS:

Home Networks - within a homeLocal Area Networks

(LAN) - networks within a area, location or business.

The University connects all its computers on a LAN.

Wide Area Networks (WAN) - several LAN connected

togetherInternet - many WAN connected together around the

globe to give us the Internet that we use today

Intranets - private company networks that areprotected from outside access Kaiser HMO and its

clinics and hospitals is an example.Extranets - several

Intranets connected together, Kaiser maintains

Extranet a network connection with its suppliers


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SELECTION CRITERIA FOR

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT:

When selecting a computer system or related hardware,

you must take into consideration the following:The

types of applications requiredSome people need word

processing, while others may need database or spread

sheet software.The program execution time and computer capacity

needed to process jobsComplex jobs require more

processor speed and memory.

Storage CapacityNeeds are determined by the amount

of information that must be kept and the length of timethat it must be retained.

Backup OptionsWhen information is critical to conduct

daily business, another backup system may be need if

the primary one fails.


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Operating Systems:A collection of programs

that manage all of the computer's activities,

including the control of hardware, execution of

software, and management of information.

Operating Systems provides auser interfaceby

which the individual interacts with the computer.

Types include; text based commands, graphical

user interfaces (GUI), and object-orientedinterfaces (OOI) a graphic interface in which

visual metaphors are employed.


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ROLES OF SUPPORT

PERSONNEL:

Support for computer systems and networks is

extremely important in order to maintain system

functionality, support includes: 1) planning

system upgrades, 2) installation of upgrades for

operating systems and various applications, 3)troubleshooting, and 4) user education and

training.


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Superuser:This person has additional experience

over the average employee and serves as a local

resource person. In the hospital setting this is user

who know the clinical area and the computer

system.Microcomputer Specialist:Provides PC

information and training; has special training and

degree in computer science or a related area.

Analyst:They are frequently clinicians, whobecome involved in system selection and training.

Many have learned their role on the job and

furthered their education by taking computer or

information science classes.


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Programmer:Writes code, computer instructions;

they often lack the clinical experience. For this reason

the analysts are responsible for communicating user

needs to programmers

Network Administrator:They are responsible for theplanning, management and expansion of networks.

Director, Information Services:These individuals

should have a board view of the needs of the institution

and the design, implementation, and evaluation of

information systems. Responsibilities includeplanning, policy development, budgeting, information

security, and overall management of the information

systems.

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Hardware, Software, And the Roles Of