a) You are a consultant to a small business organization that is considering computerising its entire operations. Explain the role of the following generic systems...

      

a) You are a consultant to a small business organization that is considering computerising
its entire operations. Explain the role of the following generic systems in such an
organisation.
(i.) Word processing;
(ii.) Spreadsheets;
(iii.) Database management systems;
b) Discuss the cost factors that should be taken into consideration in the development,
installation and operation of computer systems.
c) Explain the technique of optical disks as a method of data storage. Give appropriate
examples.

  

Answers


gregory
a) (i) Word processing
They are special purpose packages used for the production of documents such as letters
and contracts.
(ii) Spreadsheets
These are computer packages that deal with computations involving inter-related rows
and columns of data. They perform calculations on the value displayed in the rows and
columns. They also have facilities such as pie charts and bar charts that can be used in
information analysis.
(iii) Database management systems
This refers to a set of software or programs that provide the interface between the logical
and the physical data i.e. it manages the database. It is relevant to the decision support
system in that it handles the interpretation and the processing of the statements which are
commanded in the query language. In addition, it facilitates the retrieval of the required data
from the data files in a manner which the user specifies and which in *****
b) Costs and expenses which are incurred by a system. These costs include equipment costs,
development costs, operation costs and software costs. During analysis, one should
consider the cost of the proposed and existing system. These costs fall under the following
categories:
(i) The cost of running the existing system
These are basically calculated from past records and include:
o Manpower costs-they are extracted from manpower and payroll reports.
o Material costs- which includes consumerables like stock.
o Operational costs- e.g. equipment costs and replacement costs.
o Overhead costs- direct expenses incurred by the company on behalf of
alldepartments.
o The intangible cost of the existing systems e.g. loss of sales
(ii) The cost of operating the new system
This will include all the areas covered above i.e. manpower, materials, overheads and
intangible costs. However there are additional costs associated with computer system,
insurance of the computer system, cost of data transmission, cost of consumerables
like print cartridges, ribbons, etc. All these costs should be evaluated as accurately as
possible.
(iii) The cost of new system development
This will include the cost incurred for any consultancy services that may have been
hired during development. Allowances to the system development team fall under this
category. The overall effects of the systems development and implementation should
be determined and any cost associated established. Staff training costs, recruitment
costs and retrenchment costs should also be considered under system development
costs. These costs are based on time and activities involved in the project.
c) Optical disks
They store bits as ?pits? and ?lands? on the surface of the disk that can be
detected (read) by a laser beam. They use laser technology to store massive quantity of
data in a highly compact form. There are several types:
o CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory)- only read and cannot be
erasedfor re-writing. Has a capacity of 650 MB.
o CD-R (compact disk recordable/WORM (write once read many))-
usuallyblank at first and can be written only once. Has a capacity of 650 MB.
o CD-RW (compact disk rewritable)- can be written and read more than once.
It‘s capacity is 650 MB.
o DVD-ROM (Digital Video Disk)- they are similar to CDs except that it hashigh
quality sound and high-resolution video. It has a capacity of between 4.7 GB and
up to 17 GB.
gregorymasila answered the question on February 15, 2018 at 17:21


Next: a) What is the distinction between system verification and validation? Illustrate your answer with an example in each case. b) One way of minimizing errors in...
Previous: (a) Define the following terms in relation to systems: (i.) Symbiosis;(ii.) Synergy; (iii.) Redundancy;(iv.) Factoring; (b) What is meant by 'hard' and 'soft' properties of...

View More Computer Science Questions and Answers | Return to Questions Index


Exams With Marking Schemes

Related Questions