PART II: Next Three Chapters

Dr. Chen, Management Information Systems

PART 2INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Jason C. H. Chen, Ph.D.Professor of MIS

School of Business AdministrationGonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA [email protected]


Next Three Chapters

• Chapter 4 discusses hardware, software, open source alternatives, basic terms, fundamental computing concepts, importance of Web applications, and mobile systems.

• Chapter 5 addresses data component of information systems by describing database processing and data modeling

• Chapter 6 describes data communications; Internet technologies; and cloud-based services, uses and security.


Purpose of These Three Chapters

• Provide knowledge to be an effective IT consumer.

• Present basic terms, fundamental concepts, and useful frameworks.

• Provide knowledge to ask good questions and make appropriate requests of IS professionals.


Chapter 4Hardware, Software,and Mobile Systems

Jason C. H. Chen, Ph.D.Professor of MIS

School of Business AdministrationGonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA [email protected]


“3D Printing Our Own Drones Isn’t Going to Save Us Enough Money.”

• Investigating using 3D-printed parts to make drones in-house.

• Cost-savings, greater flexibility updating current fleet.

• Not enough parts can be replicated.• Nonprintable component parts.

• Maybe not compatible with existing internal systems.

• Passive recharging platform using 3D-printed parts a huge success.

• Frustrating, costly to be on “bleeding edge”.


Study Questions

Q1: What do business professionals need to know about computer hardware?

Q2: How can new hardware affect competitive strategies?Q3: What do business professionals need to know about

software?Q4: Is open source software a viable alternative?Q5: What are the differences between native and Web

applications?Q6: Why are mobile systems increasingly important?Q7: What are the challenges of personal mobile devices at

work? Q8: 2026?


Computer System Concepts

“the brain” of the computer

(RAM)

IP

O(cpu)


Two Types of Storage• Primary or Internal storage (memory)• Secondary or External storage (memory)• Is hard drive an internal storage? (Y/N)

• Storage hardware used to save data and programs common storage devices

Non-volatile– Magnetic disks (Hard drive)– Solid-state storage (SSD)– Thumb drives– Optical disks (CD/DVD)

Volatile - cache and main memory.


Basic Types of Hardware

Fig 4-1; Basic Types of Hardware


Four Categories of Basic Computer Components

• Hardware includes the electronic components that input, process, output, and store data according to instructions encoded in computer programs or software.

• The basic components of a computer are divided into four categories. – Input hardware includes keyboards, mice, scanners,

microphones, and even handwriting for a tablet PC.– Processing hardware includes: central processing unit (CPU)

which can be a dual-processor or a quad-processor, main memory, and special function cards are also in this category.

– Output hardware includes video displays, printers, audio speakers, overhead projectors, and special-purpose devices.

– Storage hardware includes magnetic disks, optical disks, and magnetic tape.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-core


Two Types of Storage• Primary or Internal storage (memory)• Secondary or External storage (memory)• Is hard drive an internal storage? (Y/N)

• Storage hardware used to save data and programs common storage devices

Non-volatile– Magnetic disks (Hard drive)– Solid-state storage (SSD)– Thumb drives– Optical disks (CD/DVD)

Volatile - cache and main memory.


Q1: What Do Business Professionals Need to Know About Computer Hardware?

• Central processing unit (CPU) - “the brain”• Dual-processor and Quad-processor

computers• CPUs vary in speed, function, and cost• CPU works in conjunction with main memory

(RAM). • CPU reads data and instructions from memory,

and stores results of computation in memory.


• Central processing unit (CPU) - “the brain”• Dual-processor and Quad-processor computers• CPUs vary in speed, function, and cost• CPU works in conjunction with main memory (RAM). • CPU reads data and instructions from memory, and stores results

of computation in memory.

Fig 4-Extra:Input, Process, Output, and Storage Hardware

Q1: What Do Business Professionals Need to Know About Computer Hardware?


Basic Types of Hardware

Figure 4-1: Basic Types of Hardware


How data are represented in computers?

# of bulb # of states

2 On Off

4

8

Question: How many symbols we need daily? How many bulbs should be used to represent them?

Because the most basic unit of electric device has only two states (on/off), data (symbols) must be represented in the form of combinations of these two states. 2nTotal # of states =

where n is # of bulb


Bits vs. Bytes

• 1 Byte = 8 bits

• 1 character = 1 byte

• 1 kilobyte = 1024 bytes = 29 bytes

• 1 megabyte (MB) = 1024 K bytes• 1 gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB• 1 terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB

Dr. Chen, Management Information Systems http://www.ascii-code.com/ http://www.ascii-code.com

ASCII stands for _______ _______ ____ for Information Interchange.

ASCII printable characters (partial list)

American Standard Code

http://www.ascii-code.com/




• Server farm An organized collection of servers (Figure 4-7). Servers in a farm coordinate their activities in a

sophisticated and fascinating technology dance. They receive and process hundreds, possibly thousands, of

service requests per minute. • In November 2010, Amazon.com processed an average of 158

order items per second for 24 hours straight. Farm servers hand off partially processed requests to each

other while keeping track of the current status of each request.

They can pick up the pieces when a computer in the farm fails.

All of this is done in the blink of an eye.

Clients and Servers


Server farmLarge collection of coordinated servers

Figure 4-2 Server Farm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_farm


Computer Data: Binary Digits

Fig 4-3 Bits are Easy to Represent Physically

Computers use binary digits, or bits, to represent data. Each bit is either a zero or a one.


Computer data, whether numbers, alphabetic characters, or photos, are merely a collection of bits.

Sizing Computer Data

Fig 4-4 Important Storage-Capacity Terminology


Specifying Hardware with Computer Data Sizes

• Computer disk capacities specified according to amount of data storage.

• CPU speed expressed in cycles called hertz.• Slow personal computer speed of 1.5

Gigahertz. • Fast PC 3+ Gigahertz, with dual processors.

• CPUs classified as 32-bit or 64-bit• Need 64-bit processor to effectively use more

than 4GB of memory.


How Does a Computer Work?


How Does a Computer Work?• Main memory (RAM)

Program instructionsContains Operating System (OS)

– Program that controls computer’s resources and blocks of data– Provides services to application programs and users

• Cache memory, part of CPU, is very fast memory used to store frequently used instructions in order to speed up processing.

• First step: CPU transfers a program or data from a storage disk to main memory.

• Second step: CPU moves a program instruction from main memory into the CPU via the data channel, or bus.


Memory Swapping

• When RAM is too small to hold all open programs and data for processing.

• CPU loads programs into memory in chunks (segments). Then, uses memory swapping to move chunks of instructions and data in and out of main memory. If not enough RAM is available, operating system

swaps out existing instructions, or data, to a disk and copies requested program, or data, to freed space

• Swapping slows down computer


• Managers need to match computers to employee tasks and requirements to reduce employee frustration and improve productivity. Simple tasks do not need fast CPU 64-bit dual processor, 8+GB RAM for large,

complicated spreadsheets, large database files, large picture, sound, movie files

• Cache and main memory are volatile, so save frequently.

Why Does a Manager Care How a Computer Works?


Q2: How Can New Hardware Affect Competitive Strategies?

Internet of Things

Figure 4-5: Smartphone Development


Q2: How Can New Hardware Affect Competitive Strategies?

• Internet of Things (IoT)The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of

physical objects - devices, vehicles, buildings and other items - embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data.

• Self-Driving CarsEasier, Cheaper, Safer

• 3D Printing


Internet of Things

• Everyday objects embedded with hardware capable of sensing, processing, transmitting data.

• Objects share data via a network with any other application, service, or device.


Impact of the Internet of Things

• GE’s Industrial Internet• Increase efficiencies, reduce waste, improve

decision making. • Greatest potential for smart devices in

hospitals, power grids, railroads, and manufacturing plants.

• Smart buildings (Microsoft)• ID problems like wasteful lighting, competing

heating and cooling systems, rogue fans, etc.


Self-driving Cars by 2019

• Make things easier, cheaper, safer.

• Automobile accidents may become a thing of the past.

• Car insurance eliminated (?).• Eliminate need to have

multiple cars.• Avoid costly traffic tickets,

parking tickets, DUI citations.

Figure 4-7 Future Cars Will Drive Themselves


Self-driving Cars Will Disrupt Businesses

• Auto sales - Fewer cars on road may mean fewer cars sold.

• Auto loans, insurance, collision repair shops.• More jobs for engineers, programmers, systems

designers.• More computer hardware, sensors, and cameras in

vehicles.


3D Printing

• Plastics, metals, ceramics, foods, biological material.

• Opportunities in aerospace, defense, automotive, entertainment, and healthcare industries.

• What happens when 3D-print extra-large objects like cars, airplanes, boats, houses, drones, etc. becomes possible?

Figure 4-8 3D Printer


Existing 3D Printing Examples

• ChefJet • Culinary artists and novices

can produce intricate, beautiful, and fully customized deserts.

• Living cells • Organs, bones, heart valves,

skin, joints.• Houses & buildings

http://uncrate.com/stuff/chefjet-3d-printer/

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/biobots-3d-printer-living-tissue/

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/biobots-3d-printer-living-tissue/

http://3dprint.com/53437/contour-crafting-dr-khoshnevis/

Dr. Chen, Management Information Systems Fig 4-9 Categories of Computer Software

• There are two types of computer software. – __________ system software controls computer resources. It’s hardware

specific and includes a specific instruction set based on the computer’s processor. Windows10 or Apple iOS10 is an example.

– __________ program software helps users accomplish tasks like word processing or database management. Programs such as Microsoft Word or Excel examples.

Q3: What Do Business Professionals Need to Know About Software?

• Native applications (thick-client)

• Web applications (thin-client)

Operating

Application

Dr. Chen, Management Information Systems Fig 4-10 Major Operating Systems

What are the major O.S.?

[1]

[2]

[3]


Major Operating Systems

Fig 4-10 Major Operating Systems


Major Operating Systems (cont'd.)


What Is Difference Between a Client and a Server?


Linking Internal Databases to the Web

DATABASE TRENDS

N


Web-Based Client/Server Database Architecture

Network

Web server

Database Server

Web Browser5. Retrieved data

4. Data query

7. Data-based Web page

8. Data-based Web page

1. Request for data-based Web page

6. Retrieved data

3. Data query

2. Request for data-based Web page

LegendCommunicationsBetween Web browserAnd Web server

CommunicationsBetween Web serverAnd database server


Example of the Modern Interface

Windows 8 modern-style applications

Figure 4-11 Example of the Modern-Style Interface


Linux Mint Virtual Machine Running in Microsoft Windows 7 Professional

• PC virtualization• Server virtualization• Desktop

virtualization

Figure 4-12 Linux Mint Virtual Machine Running in Microsoft Windows 7 Professional


Windows Server Computer Hosting Two Virtual Machines

Figure 4-13 Windows Server Computer Hosting Two Virtual Machines


How Virtual Machine Example

Figure 4-14 Virtual Machine Example


Own Versus License

• License– Right to use specified number of copies– Limits vendor’s liability

• Site License– Flat fee to install software product on all

company computers or all computers at a specific site

• Open Source– No license fee


Types of Virtualization

PC virtualization• Personal computer hosts several different

operating systemsServer virtualization

• Server computer hosts other server computers• Makes cloud computing feasible

Virtual desktop• Allows access from any computer a user has

authorization to use


Virtual Companies (Portable Computing)

A Virtual Company is an Organization composedof several Business Partners that Uses

Information Technology to Link/______ People, Assets, Ideas, Costs, and Resources

for the purpose of producing a product or service.

Virtual Companies are Adaptable and Opportunity-Exploiting Organizations Providing World-Class

Excellence in Their Competencies and Technologies.

Share


Characteristics of Virtual Companies

Borderless

Opportunism

Adaptability

Trust-Based

Excellence

Technology

SixCharacteristics

of VirtualCompanies

N


What Types of Applications Exist, and How DoOrganizations Obtain Them?

Fig 4-15 Software Sources and Types


• (Tutorial Video)• Application software

Performs a service or function Some are general purpose, such as Microsoft Excel or

Word Others provide specific functions, such as QuickBooks

which provides general ledger and other accounting functions

What Types of Applications Exist, and How Do Organizations Obtain Them?

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/bp/bp_akamai/kroenke/videos.php?title=Chapter%204-What%20types%20of%20applications%20exist,%20and%20how%20do%20organizations%20obtain%20them?&clip=pandc/kroenke/Ch_04_2.flv


• Horizontal-market application software Provides capabilities common across all organizations and

industries. Word processors, graphics programs, spreadsheets, and presentation programs are all horizontal-market application software.

• Examples: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Adobe Acrobat,

Photoshop, and PageMaker; Jasc Corporation’s Paint Shop Pro.

Used in a wide variety of businesses, across all industries Purchased off-the-shelf, and little customization of features is

necessary (or possible)

What Categories of Application Programs Exist?


• Vertical-market application software Serves needs of a specific industry Examples:

• Programs used by dental offices to schedule appointments and bill patients; auto mechanics to keep track of customer data and customers’ automobile repairs; and programs used by parts warehouses to track inventory, purchases, and sales

• Vertical applications Usually can be altered or customized. Typically, the company that

sold the application software will provide such services or offer referrals to qualified consultants who can provide this service.

• One-of-a-kind application software Developed for a specific, unique need

What Categories of Application Programs Exist?


What Is Firmware?

• Special software installed on read-only memory (ROM)• Printers, print servers, communication devices.• As if program’s logic is designed into device’s

circuitry.• Can be changed and upgraded like other software,

but normally a task for IS professionals.


How Do Thin Clients Compare to Thick Clients?

Fig 4-Extra Thin and Thick Clients


Industry Information


Q4: Is Open Source Software a Viable Alternative?

• LibreOffice (default office suite in Linux distributions)• Firefox (a browser)• MySQL (a DBMS, see Chapter 5; acquired by Oracle)• Apache (a Web server, see Chapter 6)• Ubuntu (a Windows-like desktop operating system)• Android (a mobile device operating system)• Cassandra (a NoSQL DBMS, see Chapter 5)• Hadoop (a BigData processing system, see Chapter 9)


Q4: Is Open Source Software A Viable Alternative?

GNU general public license agreement• Open Office (a Microsoft Office look-alike)• Firefox (a browser)• MySQL (a DBMS, see Chapter 5)• Apache (a Web server, see Chapter 6)• Ubuntu (a Windows-like desktop operating system)• Android (a mobile-device operating system)• Cassandra (a NoSQL DBMS, see Chapter 5)• Hadoop (a BigData processing system, see Chapter 9)


Why Do Programmers Volunteer Their Services to Open Source Projects?

• It’s fun• Freedom to choose projects• Exercise creativity on interesting and

fulfilling projects• Exhibit one’s skill to get a job• Start a business selling services


Software

Source code: Human readable computer

code

Machine code: Source code

compiled into instructions

executed directly by computer’s

CPU

How Does Open Source Work?

Closed-source or proprietary software Source code not available to users or public. Only available to trusted employees and carefully vetted contractors.

Open-source software available to users in source code form.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_code

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_code

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_software


How Does Open Source Work?

• Collaboration of many programmers• Examines source code and identifies a need,

creates new feature or redesigns existing feature, or fixes a problem

• Code evaluated and extended by others• Iteration, peer reviews and well-managed project

yield high-quality code


Source Code

Sample

Figure 4-16 Source Code Sample


So, Is Open Source Viable?

• Depends on requirements and constraints of situation.

• “Free” open source software might require support and operational costs that exceed cost of licensing fee.

• Future will involve a blend of both proprietary and open source software.


Q5: Two Types of Application Programs -What Are the Differences Between Native and Web Applications?

Thick-client Thin-client


Q5: Two Types of Application Programs -What Are the Differences Between Native and Web Applications?(cont'd )

Figure 4-17 Characteristics of Native and Web Applications


Developing Native Applications

• Run on any operating system and device.• Development languages Objective-C. Kava.

C#, C++, and VB.NET.• Limited by capabilities of browser.• Written by professional programmers,

technically- oriented Web developers and business professionals.

• Users obtain thin-client applications via the Web.


Developing Web Applications

• Development languages HTML5, CSS3, and Javascript

• Browsers handle idiosyncrasies of operating system and underlying hardware.

• Some differences in way browsers implement Web code.

• Ex: Web application SpiroCanvas run on Internet Explorer 9


One Consequence of Browser Differences for Thin-Client Applications

Figure 4-18 One Consequence of Browser Differences for Web Applications


GetHuGames SpiroCanvas

Figure 4-18 GethuGames’ SpiroCanvas


Sophisticated HTML5 Application

Figure 4-19 Sophisticated html5 Application


Which Is Better?

• Depends on:• Strategy and goals.• Application requirements.• Budget.• Schedule.• Tolerance for managing technical projects.• Need for application revenue.

• Thin-client applications cheaper to develop and maintain.

• May lack "Wow!" factor.


Q6: Why Are Mobile Systems Increasingly Important?

Figure 4-20 Elements of a Mobile Information System

Any ______, any _____. where time


Five Components of Mobile Change and Opportunity

Figure 4-21 Five Components of Mobile Change and Opportunity


Q7: What are the Challenges of Personal MobileDevices at Work?

Figure 4-22 Advantages and Disadvantages of Employee Use of Mobile Systems at Work


Survey of Organizational BYOD PolicyBYOD: _____________________

Figure 4-23 Six Common BYOD Policies

Bring Your Own Device

eg. applications using https required employees sign-on

Organization (IS dept) cleanses and reloads software and installs programs on employees’ mobile devices

BYOD policy is a statement concerning employees’ permissions and responsibilities when they use their own device for organizational business.

VPN: Virtual Private network


Advantages of Example

BYOD Policies


Sources of System Costs

Fig 4-Extra: Sources of System Costs


Business Manager’s Role in Hardware and Software Specifications

Fig 4-Extra: Business Mgr’s Role in Hardware & Software Specifications

The type of buying decisions you may make as a business manager depends on the size of your organization and the type of hardware and software your employees need.


Q8: 2026?• Always on, always connected, always communicating,

always working, and playing trend continues.• Internet of Things

• Home analyzes you; see what, how, when you do things, anticipate your needs.

• Same at work.• Hot jobs today -- IoT architect, marketing technologist,

BigData architect, and DevOps manager.• Best-paying jobs in 2026 don’t currently exist.• To prepare, cultivate creativity, novel problem solving,

good judgment, develop sincere desire to learn new things.


• END of CHAPTER 4

Documents

PART II: Next Three Chapters