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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
MANAGING
HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE
ASSETS
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
OBJECTIVES
• What computer processing and storage
capability does our organization need to
handle its information and business
transactions?
• What arrangement of computers and
computer processing would best benefit our
organization?
• What kinds of software and software tools do
we need to run our business? What criteria
should we use to select our software
technology?
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
OBJECTIVES
• Of what new software technologies should we
be aware? How would they benefit our
organization?
• How should we acquire and manage the
firm’s hardware and software assets?
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES
• The centralization versus decentralization
debate
• The application backlog
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Hardware Components of a Computer System
Figure 6-1
Management Information Systems 8/e
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
The Computer System
Bit
• Binary digit
• Represents smallest unit of data in the form of either 0 or 1
Byte
• String of bits, usually eight
• Stores one number or character
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Bits and Bytes
0 or 1 One bit
Characters are
represented by one
byte for each letter.
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 One byte for character A
Figure 6-2
Management Information Systems 8/e
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
The CPU and Primary Storage
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Manipulates symbols, numbers, and letters
• Controls other parts of the computer system
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
The CPU and Primary Storage
Primary Storage
• Temporarily stores program instructions
• Data being used by the instructions
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
The CPU and Primary Storage
Figure 6-3
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Primary Storage
Stores
• Software program being executed
• Operating system programs
• Data being used by program
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
CPU
• Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU): performs the
computer’s principal logic and arithmetic
operations
• Control Unit: coordinates and controls the
other parts of the computer system
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Primary Storage
• RAM: Directly accesses any randomly
chosen location in the same amount of
time
• ROM: Memory chips with program
instructions, cannot be written to
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Computer Processing
Microprocessors and Processing Power
• Integrated circuit technology
• Integrates the computer’s memory, logic, and
control on a single chip
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Computer Processing
Parallel Processing
• Problem broken down into smaller parts
• Multiple instructions processed simultaneously
with multiple processors
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Sequential and Parallel Processing
Figure 6-4
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Secondary Storage Technology
• Magnetic disk: Floppy disk, Hard disk
• Optical disks: CD-ROM, DVDs
• Magnetic tape: Inexpensive, older secondary-storage
medium
• New storage alternatives: Storage Area Networks
(SANs)
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
A Storage Area Network (SAN)
Figure 6-5
Management Information Systems 8/e
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Input and Output Devices
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Input and Output Devices
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Batch and On-Line Input and Processing
Batch processing
• Transactions accumulated and stored until processing
On-line processing
• Transactions are entered directly into computer and
processed immediately
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
A Comparison of Batch and On-line Processing
Figure 6-6
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COMPUTER HARDWARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE
Interactive Multimedia
• Integrates two or more types of media
into a computer-based application
• Used in interactive Web pages with
graphics, sound, animation, video
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CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Classifying Computers
• Mainframes: Largest computer, massive
memory, rapid processing power
• Midrange computers: Less powerful, less
expensive, and smaller than a mainframe
• Server: Provides software and other resources to
computers over a network
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Classifying Computers
• Minicomputers: Middle-range computer,
used in universities, factories, or research
laboratories
• Server Farm: Large group of servers
maintained by a commercial vendor,
available for electronic commerce and other
activities
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CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Classifying Computers
• Personal Computer (PC): Small desktop or
portable computer
• Workstation: Desktop computer with powerful
graphics and mathematical capabilities
• Supercomputer: Highly sophisticated and
powerful, performs complex computations
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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
• Centralized processing:
Accomplished by one large central
computer
• Client/server computing: Splits
processing between “clients” and
“servers” on network
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Client/Server Computing
Figure 6-7
Management Information Systems 8/e
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CATEGORIES OF COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Types of Client/Server Computing
Figure 6-8
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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
• Peer-to-peer computing: Distributed
processing that links computers through
Internet or private networks
• Grid computing: Applies computational
resources of many networked
computers to solve a large, complex
problem
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
The Major Types of Software
• Software program: Series of statements
or instructions to the computer
• System software: Generalized
programs, manages computer’s resources
• Application software: Programs written
to perform functions specified by end
users
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
The Major Types of Software
Figure 6-9
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
System Software and PC Operating Systems
Operating system
• System software
• Manages and controls computer
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
System Software and PC Operating Systems
Functions of the operating system
• Allocates and assigns system resources
• Schedules use of computer resources
• Monitors computer system activities
• Provides locations in primary memory for
data and programs
• Controls the input and output devices
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
System Software and PC Operating Systems
Multiprogramming
• Executes two or more programs
concurrently using the same computer
• CPU executes only one program but
services the input/output needs of others
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
System Software and PC Operating Systems
Multitasking
• Multiprogramming capability of single-
user operating systems
Virtual Storage
• Handles programs more efficiently by
dividing the programs into small fixed or
variable length
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
System Software and PC Operating Systems
Time Sharing
• Sharing of computer resources by many
users simultaneously
Multiprocessing
• Executing two or more instructions
simultaneously in a single computer using
multiple central processing units
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
System Software and PC Operating Systems
Language translation and utility
software
• Translates high-level language programs
into machine language
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
PC Operating Systems and Graphical User Interfaces
• GUIs in contemporary PC operating
systems
• Windows XP
• Microsoft’s Windows 98 and Me
• Windows 2000
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
PC Operating Systems and Graphical User Interfaces
• Windows .NET server
• UNIX
• Linux: open-source software
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Application Software and Programming Languages
• Programming languages: evolved from
machine language to high-level languages
for business and scientific work
• Important programming languages for
business today: COBOL, C, C++, and
Visual Basic
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Fourth-Generation Languages
• Fourth-generation language: Can help
end users develop software with little or
no assistance from IS specialists
• Natural languages: Close to human
language
• Query languages: Provide immediate
on-line answers to requests
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Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
CONTEMPORARY TOOLS FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Object-Oriented Programming
Object-oriented programming
• Approach to software development that
combines data and procedures into a
single object
Visual programming
• Construction of software programs by
selecting and arranging programming
objects
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
Class and inheritance
Figure 6-10
Management Information Systems 8/e
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CONTEMPORARY TOOLS FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Java
• Programming language
• Delivers the software functionality needed
for a particular task
• Runs on any computer and operating
system
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CONTEMPORARY TOOLS FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and XML
• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML):
Page description language, creates Web
pages and other hypermedia documents
• XML (eXtensible Markup Language):
Describes the structure of a document,
supports links to multiple documents,
allowing data to be manipulated by the
computer
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Application Software Packages and Productivity Software
• PC software tools: Word Processing
Software, Spreadsheets, Data
Management Software, Presentation
Graphics
• Other productivity software: e-mail,
groupware, Web browsers
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Word Processing Software
Figure 6-11
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Software for Enterprise Integration
Enterprise software
• Set of integrated modules for major
business functions
• Allows data to be used by multiple
functions and business processes
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Software for Enterprise Integration
Middleware
• Allows two disparate applications to
communicate to exchange data
Web server
• Manages requests for Web pages on the
computer where they are stored
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Software for Enterprise Integration
Enterprise application integration
software
• Ties together multiple applications to
support enterprise integration
Management Information Systems 8/e
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MANAGING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ASSETS
Hardware Technology Requirements for Electronic Commerce and Digital Firm
• Capacity planning: Process of
predicting the computing power
• Scalability: Ability of a computer,
product, or system to expand and to serve
without breaking down
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MANAGING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ASSETS
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of Technology Assets
• Designates the total cost of owning
technology resources
• Includes initial purchase costs, cost of
hardware and software upgrades,
maintenance, technical support, and
training
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MANAGING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ASSETS
Rent or Build Decisions: Using Technology Service Providers
On-line storage service providers
• Third-party providers that rent out storage
space to subscribers over the Web
• Allow customers to store and access data
• Application service providers (ASPs)
• Provide software that can be rented by
other companies
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MANAGING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ASSETS
Rent or Build Decisions: Using Technology Service Providers
Other types of service providers
• Management service providers and
business continuity service providers
Utility computing
• “Pay as you go” model” where firms pay
only for the information technology
resources they actually use during a
specified period
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MANAGING HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE ASSETS
VENDOR
CUSTOMER PREMISES OPS. CENTER
Vendor-supplied portal
software gives a customer
the same view as the vendor
operations center.
Using
proprietary
software,
Firewall vendor employees
monitor and
manage a customer's
storage.
Vendor's
on-site
hardware
device
Storage
infrastructure SECURE NETWORK CONNECTION
(may be The customer's actual data never passes
direct-attached through the firewall; rather, metadata
storage, SANs needed to manage storage flows across a
or NAS) secure network connection.
Figure 6-15
Management Information Systems 8/e
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Managing Hardware and Software Assets
MANAGING
HARDWARE AND
SOFTWARE
ASSETS
