How organisations use ICT

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How organisations use ICT Part 1

• (a) Control Systems

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Control systems

• Are made up of software and hardware that
  controls other equipment.
• They can be
• "dedicated" systems that perform a set of
  pre-programmed instructions,
• or computer controlled ("dynamic") systems that
  react to input from sensors
• Most control systems use feedback loops to tell
  them how to behave. This is when information from
  a sensor (e.g. temperature sensor) is used to
  decide how to use an output device (e.g. heater).
• The output device will have some sort of effect
  on the next reading from the sensor - e.g.
  switching on the heater will raise the
  temperature at the temperature sensor.

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Control Systems Robots

• A robot is an automated piece of equipment
  designed to carry out routine repetitive tasks.
• They can usually be re-programmed to perform a
  number of different tasks, for example, spraying
  different shaped car parts with paint.
• Robots are cheaper to operate than paying people
  wages, but are very expensive to buy.
• Robots do not get tired or make mistakes, and can
  carry out tasks that are dangerous or difficult
  for humans to do - e.g. travel to Mars!
• Robots are great (unless you're after a job!) but
  unfortunately they cannot deal with situations
  that they have not been programmed for. Robots
  can learn new tasks in two main ways.

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Control Systems EPOS

• EPOS stands for Electronic Point of Sale.
• This is a general name for the computerised tills
  that you see in shops and supermarkets.
• EFTPOS stands for Electronic Funds Transfer at
  Point of Sale.
• This is where customers can pay for goods using
  credit or debit cards.

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How an EPOS system works

• A product's bar code is scanned by a laser
  scanner on the till.
• The computer system finds the current price in
  its database.
• The price is sent back to the till which adds it
  to the current sale.
• The till prints an itemised receipt.
• The computer reduces the recorded stock by one.
• If an item's stock falls below a pre-set "reorder
  level", an order for more stock is sent to the
  warehouse or supplier.
• EPOS systems can be linked to loyalty card
  databases or analysis software to help shops
  predict trends in sales and more effectively
  order items in the future.

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Summary

• Control Systems are software and hardware that
  controls other equipment.
• Most are dedicated or dynamic and use feedback
  loops.
• Robots are great at carrying out routine
  repetitive tasks and are as flexible as their
  programming and hardware allows.
• Robots learn in two main ways teach-and-learn or
  learn-by-example (a bit like school kids!)
• EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) and EFTPOS
  (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale)
  systems play a major role in the retail world.
• EPOS systems allow quick payment and careful
  monitoring of stock and sale patterns that
  improve profitability and customer satisfaction
  (apparently!)