Hardware and Software in the Enterprise

1
Hardware and Software in theEnterprise
Chapter 6
2
Objectives

1. Capabilities of computer hardware and computer
   software.
2. Major issues in the management of hardware and
   software assets.

3
Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Hardware components of a computer system
Figure 6-1
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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
The Computer System

• Bit
• Binary digit
• Represents 0 or 1
• Byte
• String of eight bits
• Stores one number, symbol, character, part of
  picture

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Bits and bytes
Figure 6-2
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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
The Computer System

• The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Arithmetic-Logic Unit Perform principle
  logical/mathematical operations
• Control Unit (CU) Control and coordinate other
  parts of computer
• Machine Cycle The series of operations required
  to process a single machine instruction.

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
The CPU and primary storage
Figure 6-3
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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
The Computer System

• Primary Storage
• Located near CPU
• Stores all or part of active software programs
• Stores operating system programs
• Stores data the programs are using

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
The Computer System

• Primary Storage
• Composed of semi-conductors
• Integrated circuits (ICs) made by printed tiny
  transistors on small silicon chips.
• RAM (random access memory)
• Used for short-term, temporary storage.
• Any randomly chosen location can be accessed in
  the same amount of time.
• Memory is lost, when power is off.
• ROM (read-only memory)
• Semiconductor memory chips with burn-in program
  instructions.
• Store important and frequent use programs.

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Computer Processing

• Microprocessors
• Semiconductor chips integrate memory, logic, and
  control circuits for an entire CPU onto a single
  chip.
• Speed depends on
• Number of bits processed at one time (word
  length).
• Amount of data that can be moved between CPU,
  primary storage, and other devices (data bus
  width).
• Cycle speed (MHz, millions of cycles per second).
• RISC (reduced instruction set computing)
  increases speed by embedding frequently used
  instructions in a CPS.
• Can execute multiple instructions in a single
  machine cycle.
• Used for scientific, workstation computing.

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Computer Processing

• Parallel processing
• Multiple CPUs work simultaneously on same problem
  by breaking down a problem into smaller parts
  (with a special software).
• More than one instruction processed at a time
• Massively parallel computers use hundreds,
  thousands of inexpensive and commonly used
  processing chips.

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Sequential and parallel processing
Figure 6-4
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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Storage, Input, and Output Technology

• Secondary Storage Technology
• Used for relatively long-term storage of data
  outside CPU.
• Nonvolatile and retain data even when the power
  is off.
• Devices
• Magnetic disk floppies, hard disks, removable
  disk drives, RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive
  Disks)
• Optical disk (compact disks, CD, or laser optical
  disks) CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory, up
  to 700 MB), CD-RW (CD-ReWrite), DVD (digital
  video disk or digital versatile disk, 4.7 GB
  minimum)
• Magnetic tape (inexpensive, sequential access)

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Storage, Input, and Output Technology

• Storage Networking
• Enable firms to manage all storage resources
  centrally by providing an overall storage plan
  for all storage devices in the enterprise.
• Storage networking arrangements
• direct-attached storage storage devices are
  connected and accessed directly through a server.
  Access bottleneck is possible.
• network-attached storage (NAS) RAID with a
  dedicated server.
• storage area networks (SAN) dedicated high-speed
  storage network. SAN creates a large pool of
  storage that can be shared by multiple servers
  and users.

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
A storage area network (SAN)
Figure 6-5
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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Storage, Input, and Output Technology

• Input and Output Devices
• Input devices Gather data and convert them into
  electronic form for computer use.
• Output devices Display data after they are
  processed.

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Storage, Input, and Output Technology

• Input Devices
• Keyboard and mouse
• Touch screen
• Optical character recognition (OCR)
• Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)
• Pen-based input
• Digital scanner
• Audio input
• Sensors
• Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Storage, Input, and Output Technology

• Output Devices
• Cathode-ray tube (CRT) or video display terminals
  (VDTs)
• Printers
• Audio output

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Storage, Input, and Output Technology

• Batch Processing
• Accumulates and stores transactions in group or
  batch until time to process them
• Found primarily in older systems for occasional
  reporting
• Use tape storage
• Online Processing
• Transactions processed immediately
• Use disk storage

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Computer Hardware and Information Technology
Infrastructure
Storage, Input, and Output Technology

• Interactive Multimedia
• Integrates sound, video or animation, graphics,
  text into computer-based application.
• Foundation of new consumer products and services
  e-books, e-newspapers, e-classrooms, video
  conferencing, imaging design, video/voice mails.
• Streaming technology Technology for transferring
  and processing data as a steady and continuous
  stream.
• New compression standards MP3 (MPEG3), Motion
  Picture Experts Group, audio layer 3. Compress
  audio files down to one-tenth or one-twelfth of
  their original size with virtually no loss in
  quality.

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Categories of Computers and Computer Systems
Classifying Computers

• Mainframe Largest computer with massive memory
  and rapid processing power handles massive
  amounts of data and complicated processes used
  for large business, scientific, military
  applications.
• Midrange computer Smaller, less expensive
  minicomputers or servers used for smaller
  organizations or managing networks of other
  computer.
• Minicomputers Used in systems for universities,
  factories, research labs.
• Servers Manage internal company networks or Web
  sites.
• Server Farm Large group of servers maintained by
  a commercial vendor and made available to
  subscribers for e-commerce and other activities
  requiring heavy use of servers.

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Categories of Computers and Computer Systems
Classifying Computers

• Personal computer Portable or desktop
  microcomputer.
• Workstation More powerful desktop computer used
  for computation-intense tasks such as
  mathematical and graphical processing.
• Supercomputer Sophisticated, powerful computer
  used for tasks requiring rapid, complex
  calculations weapons research, weather
  forecasting.

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Categories of Computers and Computer Systems
Computer Networks and Client/Server Computing

• Distributed processing Distribution of
  processing work among multiple computers.
• Client/server computing Splits processing
  between clients and servers on network.
• Centralized processing Accomplished by one large
  central computer.

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Categories of Computers and Computer Systems
Client/server computing
Figure 6-6
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Categories of Computers and Computer Systems
Types of client/server computing
Figure 6-7
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Categories of Computers and Computer Systems
Network Computers and Peer-to-Peer Computing

• Network computer (NC) Simplified desktop
  computer, does not store data permanently
  minimal memory, storage, and processor power
  software and application are downloaded as
  needed.
• Peer-to-peer computing Distributed processing
  that links computers through Internet or private
  networks computers work together without a
  server or any central controlling authority.
  (Examples Kazaa)
• Grid computing Applies unused computational
  resources of many networked computers to solve a
  large, complex problem. (Examples DNA project,
  Bank-One risk analysis)

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Types of Software

• Software program A series of statements or
  instructions to the computer
• Coding, programming, programmer, developer.
• Two major types of software
• System software Generalized programs that manage
  the computers resources (system programmer)
• Application software Programs written for or by
  users to perform a specific task (application
  programmer)

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Types of Software
The major types of software
Figure 6-8
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Types of Software
System Software and PC Operating Systems

• Operating system software Manages the computer
  system, resources controls memory, input,
  output, and task scheduling
• Capabilities multi-programming, virtual storage,
  time-sharing, multi-processing
• Computer language translation programs Compiles
  or interprets source code of high-level language
  programs (C, FORTRAN, BASIC) into object code -
  machine language the computer can execute
• Utility programs Perform routine, repetitive
  tasks such as copying, clearing primary storage

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Types of Software
System Software and PC Operating Systems

• Operating System Capabilities
• Multiprogramming Concurrent use of CPU by
  multiple programs
• Virtual storage Breaks programs into smaller
  portions to read as needed
• Time-sharing Allows many users to share CPU time
• Multi-processing Links two or more CPUs to work
  in parallel in single computer system

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Types of Software
System Software and PC Operating Systems

• PC Operating Systems
• Software written for one OS generally cannot run
  on another
• Graphical User Interface (GUI) Make extensive
  use of icons, buttons, bars, boxes, and windows
  to perform input tasks.
• Become dominant model for user interface for
  operating systems and applications.

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Types of Software
System Software and PC Operating Systems

• Leading PC Operating Systems
• Windows XP (eXPerience) Home / Professional
• Windows 2000, high performance for network
  servers
• Windows Server 2003, server OS
• Windows 98/ME (priori to Windows XP)
• Windows CE, for handheld and wireless devices
• Unix, reliable, scalable, portable,
  multi-tasking, multi-processing, multi-user
  access, networking
• Linux, unix OS for PCs, open-source software
• Mac OS
• DOS, 16-bit OS

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Types of Software
Application Programming Languages
Machine language 1st generation binary code slow and labor intensive
C Operating systems application software
C Object-oriented application software
COBOL Business administration alphanumeric processing reporting (Common Business Oriented Language)
Visual Basic Visual tool Windows applications
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Types of Software
Application Programming Languages
FORTRAN Processing numeric data scientific, engineering programs
BASIC Used for teaching
Pascal Used primarily for teaching programming
Assembly language Second generation close to machine language system software
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Types of Software
Programming Languages and Contemporary Software
Tools

• Fourth generation languages Enable end users to
  develop applications with minimal or no
  assistance less procedural
• Procedural languages Require sequence of steps
• Nonprocedural languages Specify tasks but not
  details on sequence
• Natural languages Nonprocedural languages
  resembling human speech
• Query languages Software tools for providing
  online answers to information requests

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Types of Software
Categories of Fourth-Generation Languages
PC software tools General-purpose packages WordPerfect, Microsoft Access
Query language Retrieve data stored in databases or files SQL
Report generator Retrieve data, more formatting control Crystal Reports
Graphics language Retrieve data, graphics format SAS Graph Systat
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Types of Software
Categories of Fourth-Generation Languages
Application generator Preprogrammed modules FOCUS, Microsoft FrontPage
Application software package Commercial software replacing need for custom, in-house software PeopleSoft HCM, SAP R/3
Very high-level programming language Generate code with fewer instructions productivity tool for programmers APL, Nomad2
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Types of Software
Programming Languages and Contemporary Software
Tools

• Object-Oriented Programming
• Combine data and methods (procedures) into one
  object
• Objects are independent, reusable building blocks
• Based on concepts of class and inheritance

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Types of Software
Class and inheritance
Figure 6-9
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Types of Software
Programming Languages and Contemporary Software
Tools

• Java
• Object-oriented
• Platform-independent
• Robust handles data, graphics, video, sound
• Can create applets often used on Web
• Java applications tend to run slower than
  native programs

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Types of Software
Programming Languages and Contemporary Software
Tools

• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) Page
  description language creates Web pages and other
  hypermedia documents (instructions are called
  tags)
• XML (eXtensible Markup Language) Describes data
  as a web document for programs to use provides
  standard format for data exchange (DTD, Document
  Type Definition Ex., RosettaNet)
• XHTML Reformulates HTML with XML document-type
  definitions

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Types of Software
Application Software Packages and Productivity
Software

• Word processing software Store data
  electronically as a computer file Create,
  format, print documents, spelling / grammar
  check, mail merge
• Microsoft Word, WordPerfect
• Desktop publishing software Produce
  professional-quality documents with greater
  formatting, design capabilities for text,
  graphics, and photos
• Adobe PageMaker, QuarkXpress
• Spreadsheets Display and store data in grid for
  calculating numerical data recalculation,
  modeling, what-if analysis, break-even analysis
• Microsoft Excel, Lotus 1-2-3
• Data management software Store, manipulate data
  in lists and databases query, reporting
• Microsoft Access, Oracle, Sybase

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Types of Software
Text and the spell-checking option in Microsoft
Word
Figure 6-10
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Types of Software
Spreadsheet software
Figure 6-11
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Types of Software
Data management software
Figure 6-12
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Types of Software
Application Software Packages and Productivity
Software

• Presentation graphics Create professional-quality
  graphics and multimedia presentations
• Microsoft PowerPoint, Lotus Freelance Graphics,
  Aldus Persuasion, Paint-Shop-Pro
• Integrated Software Packages and Suites Combine
  two or more applications easy data transfer
• Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, StarOffice
• E-mail software Computer exchange of messages
  broadcast, forward, attachment
• Web browsers Access and display Web, Internet
  resources
• Groupware Support activities of workgroups
  group writing and commenting, info sharing,
  e-meeting, scheduling, e-mail
• Microsoft Office (business version), Lotus Notes,
  LiveLink (OpenText), Groov (peer-to-peer)

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Types of Software
Software for Enterprise Integration and E-Business

• Enterprise software Integrates multiple business
  processes
• Legacy system System in place for long time
• Middleware Software that connects two disparate
  systems in-house or vendor solution
• Enterprise application integration (EAI)
  software Middleware to create hub connecting
  applications and application clusters
• WebMethods, Tibco, CrossWorlds, SeeBeyond, BEA,
  Vitria

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Types of Software
Enterprise application integration (EAI) software
versus traditional integration
Figure 6-13
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Types of Software
Software for Enterprise Integration and E-Business

• Web services Universal standards using Internet
  technology for exchanging data between systems
• Web server Manages requests for Web pages on
  computer where they are stored
• Application server Middleware software handling
  application operations between user and back-end
  business systems

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Types of Software
A multitiered architecture for e-commerce and
e-business
Figure 6-14
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Types of Software
Window on Technology

• Application Integration to the Rescue
• How can enterprise application integration and
  Web services technology provide value for
  organizations?
• What management, organization, and technology
  issues should be addressed when making the
  decision about whether to use these technologies?

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Managing Hardware and Software Assets
Hardware Technology Requirements For Electronic
Commerce and the Digital Firm

• Selection and use of computer hardware and
  software technology can have a profound impact on
  business performance.
• Capacity planning Process of predicting when a
  computer hardware system becomes saturated
• Max users, future software applications, min
  response time (Ex. Nasdaq)
• Scalability Ability of a computer, product, or
  system to expand to serve a larger number of
  users without breaking down

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Managing Hardware and Software Assets
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Technology Assets

• Includes both direct and indirect costs
• Hardware and software acquisitions account for
  only 20 of TCO
• TCO for a PC may run to three times original
  purchase price
• Hidden costs can make distributed architecture
  more expensive than centralized mainframes
• Support staff, down time, network management

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Managing Hardware and Software Assets
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Cost Components

• Hardware acquisition
• Software acquisition
• Installation
• Training
• Support
• Maintenance
• Infrastructure
• Downtime
• Space and energy

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Managing Hardware and Software Assets
Rent or Build Decisions Using Technology Service
Providers

• Storage service provider (SSP) Provides online
  access to storage devices and storage area
  network technology
• Availability, reliability, flexibility, response
  time.
• Application service provider (ASP) Delivers
  applications over networks on subscription basis
• Payroll, HR, sales force automation, financial
  management, benefit, tax calculation
• Management service provider Manages
  applications, systems, security, storage, Web
  sites, system performance

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Types of Software
Model of an Application Service Provider (ASP)
Figure 6-15
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Managing Hardware and Software Assets
Rent or Build Decisions Using Technology Service
Providers

• Business continuity provider Defines procedures
  for recovery from system malfunctions, disaster
  recovery
• Utility computing (on-demand computing,
  usage-based pricing IBM) Model in which
  companies pay only for resources used in a
  specific time period