Chapter 1 Computer Technology: Your Need to Know

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Chapter 1Computer Technology Your Need to Know
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Chapter Goals
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Describe the activities of information systems
  professionals.
• Describe the technical knowledge of computer
  hardware and systems software needed to develop
  and manage information systems.
• Identify additional sources of information for
  continuing education in computer hardware and
  systems software.

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Technology and Knowledge
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Technical knowledge of computer hardware and
  systems software is required to develop
  information systems

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Technology and Knowledge
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Every day technical devices do not require
  detailed understanding of how they work to be
  able to use them.
• Although the design of computer systems have
  become more complex, computers have become easier
  to use.

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Technology and Knowledge
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Since computer systems are easier to use, many
  computers are used in business and the home.

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Technology and Knowledge
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• If computers have become so easy to use, then
  why do you need to know anything about their
  inner technology?

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Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• The knowledge required to purchase and configure
  technically complex devices is greater than the
  knowledge needed to use them

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Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• To purchase a computer, you must
• Know your hardware and software preferences.
• Know your hardware and software requirements.
• Have sufficient knowledge of the available
  alternatives.
• Understand related technical terms.

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Acquiring and Configuring Technological Devices
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Are you (or will you be) able to meet the
  challenge?

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• The steps necessary to develop an information
  system are called the System Development Life
  Cycle (SDLC)

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture
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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• The systems survey step examines user
  information needs, ways in which those needs are
  being addressed (if any), and the feasibility of
  developing or acquiring an information system to
  address those needs.

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Systems Survey step
• Determines the cost and benefits of alternative
  systems.
• Takes days or weeks to complete.
• Determines whether the estimated benefit of the
  alternative solution justifies continuing the
  SDLC.

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Systems Survey knowledge needed
• Knowledge of hardware and systems software is
  required to assess the degree to which user needs
  are currently being met, and to estimate the
  resources required to address unmet needs.

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Typical questions asked during the Systems
  Survey step for a point of sale system
• How much time is required to process a sale?
• Is the existing system easy for a salesperson to
  use?
• Is sufficient information being gathered for
  marketing purposes?

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Typical questions asked during the Systems
  Survey step for a point of sale system (cont.)
• Can the existing hardware handle peak sales
  volumes (for example, holidays)?
• Can the existing system be expanded easily?
• What are the current hardware operating costs?
• Are there cheaper hardware alternatives?

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• The systems analysis step examines the user needs
  and the extent to which they are being met.
• Called needs analysis or requirements analysis.

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Systems analysis step
• Takes weeks or months to complete.
• Produces a requirements document.
• Reexamines and answers systems survey questions
  in more detail.

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Typical outcomes
• Detailed descriptions of user interfaces and data
  access speed
• Detailed data-processing and storage requirements

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• The systems design step determines the exact
  configuration of all hardware and software
  components.

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Design tasks during the systems analysis step
• Selecting computer hardware
• Selecting computer software
• Selecting application program development tools

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Design decisions made based on earlier
  decisions
• Files or database design
• Program design
• User interface design
• Design of system backup and recovery mechanisms

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture
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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Technical knowledge needed
• System requirements and the capabilities of that
  hardware and operating system
• Development tool selection

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• The systems implementation step is constructed
  based on the blue prints created during systems
  design

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• During the systems implementation step
• Hardware and systems software are acquired,
  installed, configured and tested
• Application programs and files are developed,
  installed and tested
• The entire system is tested

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Technical knowledge needed
• Knowledge of hardware and systems software
• Installation and configuration of hardware and
  systems software
• Knowledge of how to format storage devices, set
  up security systems, install application programs
  and establish accounting and auditing systems

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• During the maintenance step, the system is
  evaluated for errors that escaped undetected
  during installation and testing.
• Minor changes are made as maintenance changes.

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Technical knowledge needed
• Knowledge is needed to classify the proposed
  change as minor or major
• Knowledge is needed about the hardware and
  software components that are affected by the
  change

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Information System Development
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• If systems evaluation and maintenance
  determines that a new system is needed, then a
  new SDLC will be initiated.

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Management of Computer Resources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Knowledge is needed to manage the computer
  resources within a large organization.
• The manager of a collection of information
  systems must contend with a great deal of
  technical complexity.

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Management of Computer Resources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Attention must be paid to two important
  technological issues
• Compatibility
• Future trends

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Management of Computer Resources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Compatibility
• The new system must not only operate correctly by
  itself, but also operates smoothly with all of
  the other systems in the organization.

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Management of Computer Resources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Future Trends
• The manager must have a broad understanding of
  current technology, as well as future technology
  trends.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• A large number of people can be classified
  loosely as computer professionals, and an even
  larger number use computers in the workplace,
  school or home.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Computer Professional Groups
• Application Development Personnel
• Systems Software Personnel
• Hardware Personnel
• Systems Management Personnel

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Application Development Personnel
• Systems Analyst
• Systems Designer
• Application Programmer

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• A systems analyst primarily is responsible for
  conducting surveys, determining feasibility, and
  defining and documenting user requirements.
• A systems designer primarily is responsible for
  procuring hardware and procuring or designing
  applications software.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• An application programmer primarily is
  responsible for software implementation and
  testing.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Systems Software Personnel
• Systems programmers are responsible for the
  development of systems software such as
• Operating systems
• Compilers
• Database management systems
• Network monitors.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Hardware Personnel
• Hardware personnel are responsible for
  hardware design, installation, and maintenance.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Systems Management Personnel
• Computer operations manager
• Network administrator
• Database administrator
• Chief Information Officer

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• A computer operations manager is responsible for
  the day-to-day operation of a large
  information-processing facility.
• The operation can include scheduling, staffing,
  security, system backups, maintenance and
  upgrades.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• A network administrator is responsible for the
  network infrastructure and the management of a
  local area network.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• A database administrator is responsible for the
  management and access to collections of data
  stored in databases.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• A Chief Information Officer (CIO) is responsible
  for the management of the personnel and computer
  software and hardware.

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Roles and Job Titles
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• A Chief Information Officer is for the management
  of the database administrator, network
  administrator and computer operations manager.
• This position is also responsible for the
  computer, networks and software owned and
  operated by an organization.

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Computer Technology Information Sources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Sources to keep you up-to-date in the field
• Periodical literature
• Technology-oriented Web sites
• Vendor and Manufacturer Web sites
• Professional Societies

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Computer Technology Information Sources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Periodical Literature
• ACM Computing Surveys
• Computerworld
• Communications of the ACM
• Computer

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Computer Technology Information Sources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture
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Computer Technology Information Sources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Technology-Oriented Web Sites
• There are many Web sites that are devoted to
  serving the information needs of computer
  professionals.

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Computer Technology Information Sources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture
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Computer Technology Information Sources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Vendor and Manufacturer Web Sites
• Vendor Web Pages are oriented to sales, but
  they usually contain detailed information on
  products either directly or as links to
  manufacturer Web sites.

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Computer Technology Information Sources
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture
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Professional Societies
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Association for Information Technology
  Professionals (AITP)
• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
• Institute for Electrical and Electronics
  Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society

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Summary
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Technical knowledge of computer hardware and
  systems software is required to develop
  information systems.
• Technical knowledge also is required to manage
  the computer resources of an organization.
• Technical knowledge constantly must be updated
  due to changes in hardware and software
  technology.

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Summary
Chapter 1
Systems Architecture

• Information about computer hardware and software
  is readily available on the World Wide Web.
• An understanding of computer technology is
  necessary.
• Computer knowledge can be updated through reading
  periodicals, using Web sites and joining
  professional societies.