Computer Application in Management

(MGMT 2091)

Instructor: Tsegaye Berhanu

Email: [email protected]
 Chapter 1

Overview of Computers
 Outline
➢ Overview of computers and ICT

➢ Characteristics of computers

➢ Data Vs Information

➢ Characteristics of Information

➢ Application areas of computers

3 Chapter 1: Overview of Computers

 Overview of Computers
 A computer is a fast electronic device that
processes the input data according to the
instructions given by the programmer/user and
provides the desired information as an output.
 A computer is a machine that can receive, store,
and process data to provide information.
 It is a set of interrelated and interconnected
devices which accept raw data, process it, store
and produce the result by following pre-
determined instructions or a program.
Chapter 1: Overview of Computers
4
 Overview of Computers
 computer transforms data to Information.
 Computer can be defined in terms of its
functions.
 It can
I. Accept Input (data)
II. Store data
III. Process data
IV. Display Output (information)
V. Communication (optional)
 Accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output
Chapter 1: Overview of Computers
5
 How a Computer Works?
• Computers accept inputs (data)
• The input is translated into binary numbers (0 &
1) and ‘processed’ by a processor(CPU)
• Data is stored in the storage device of a
computer.
• The process produces output (information)
• This sequence can repeat endlessly: outputs can
be inputs!

6 Chapter 1: Overview of Computers

 How a Computer Works?

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 Input
 The act of entering data into a computer
 Input can take a variety of forms, from commands
you enter from the keyboard to data from another
computer or device..
 The user initiates the action by doing
something:
 Clicking the mouse
 Typing on the key board
 Touching the touch screen
 A device that feeds data into a computer, such as a
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keyboard or mouse, is called an input device.
Chapter 1: Overview of Computers
 Processing
 The process of transforming input data into
and output (Information).
 The CPU handles the majority of the
processing tasks and is the "brain" of the
computer
 The computer processes input and produces
output.
 Without processing, the computer’s output
would be the same as its input
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 Storage
 Store is the action of saving information for
later use.
 In computers, that may be to a storage device,
such as an internal hard drive, optical disc
drive, or an external storage device
 The OS (operating system) of the computer is
responsible for storing data on your
computer.
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 Output
 The visual, auditory, or textual
perceptions provided by the computer after
processing the provided information
 Once the computer has processed the request, it
shows you the result by changing what you see
on the monitor or playing a sound through the
speakers
 This is output

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 Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)
 Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) is an umbrella term that covers all technical
means for processing and communicating information.
 ICT describes digital technologies including:
• Communication protocols
• Transmission techniques
• Communications equipment
• Communication media
• Computing for storage and processing

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 Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)
 ICT is the convergence of information technology (IT) and
telecommunication technology.
 Benefit of ICT:
 ICT is technology's version of economic growth, to satisfy the
needs and wants of the community over time.
 ICT tools can be used to find, explore, analyze, exchange and
present information responsibly and without discrimination.
 ICT can be employed to give users quick access to ideas and
experiences from a wide range of people, communities and
cultures.
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 Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)
Benefit of ICT:
 Employment opportunities
 Data and information gathering and
distribution
 Better customer service
 Greater product variety
 Shorter response time
 Enhanced product quality
 Better customization of products and
Chapter 1: Overview of Computers
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services…
 IT- Information Technology
 IT is "the study, design, development, implementation,
support or management of computer-based information
systems, particularly software applications and
computer hardware."
 IT deals with the use of electronic computers and
computer software to convert, store, protect, process,
transmit, and securely retrieve information.
 IT is a general term that describes any technology that
helps to produce, manipulate, store, communicate,
and/or disseminate information
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 Data Vs Information
Data
 Data are raw facts about anything
 Data items have little meaning or no meaning.

 Data are plain facts.

 Data in themselves are fairly useless.

 when data are interpreted, structured,

organized and processed to determine its true
meaning, they become useful and can be
called Information.
 Data is computer's language. Information is
16 our
Chapter translation
1: Overview of Computers of this language.
 Information
 Information is data that has been refined and organized
by processing and purposeful intelligence.
 Information is data processed for some purpose
 Information is any form of communication that provides
understandable and useful knowledge for the person
receiving it
 Information can only be considered to be 'real' Information
if it meets certain criteria i.e.
 it must be communicated to the recipient
 it must be in a language that is understood
 it must be in a suitable form

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 itChapter
must be relevant for achieving some purpose
1: Overview of Computers
 Data Vs Information

Data Information
• raw facts • data with context
• no context • processed data
• just numbers and • value-added to data
text – summarized
– organized
– analyzed
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 Example for Data vs. Information
 Data: 51007
 Information:
 5/10/07 The date of your final exam.
 $51,007 The average starting salary of
an accounting major.
 51007 Zip code of Bronson Iowa.

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 Data vs. Information
Data Information
SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO INC.
 6.34
 6.45 $7.20

 6.39 $7.00

 6.62 Stock Price

$6.80

 6.57 $6.60

 6.64 $6.40

 6.71 $6.20

 6.82 $6.00

$5.80
 7.12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
 7.06 Last 10 Days

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 Data → Information → Knowledge
Data

Summarizing the data

Averaging the data
Selecting part of the data
Graphing the data
Adding context
Adding value

Information
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 Data → Information → Knowledge
Information

How is the info tied to outcomes?

Are there any patterns in the info?
What info is relevant to the problem?
How does this info effect the system?
What is the best way to use the info?
How can we add more value to the info?

Knowledge
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 Data → Information → Knowledge
→Wisdom

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 Characteristics of information

Information that is meaningful for the people and

the organization must have certain characteristics
 Accurate: Information must not contain any
errors. Sufficiently accurate for its purpose
 Accessible: Authorized users should be able to
access the information whenever required.
 Complete: Information must contain all
important and related data and Complete
enough for the problem.
 Reliable:
Chapter 1: Overview
Reliable
of Computers
and targeted to the right
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person.
 Characteristics of information
 Economical: Information should be
economical to produce both in terms of
time and cost.
 Format: Information should be available in the
desired format. Communicated by an appropriate
channel, i.e. one that is understandable to the
user.
 Flexible: Information should be flexible enough
to be used for different purposes.
 Timely:
Chapter 1:
Information
Overview of Computers
must be available when it is
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needed. Communicated in time for its purpose.
 Characteristics of information
 Relevant: Information must be relevant for
its purpose, so that it can be used by the
organization.
 Verifiable: There should be a means to
crosscheck the available information.
 Secure: Unauthorized users should not be able to
access the information. Access is allowed only to
authorized individuals.
 Simple: Information must be easily
understandable and usable. Complex information
is difficult to use and may not serve its purpose.
Chapter 1: Overview of Computers
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 Characteristics of Computers
 Speed: A computer is so fast that it can perform the given
task (arithmetical or logical) in few seconds as compared
to human who can spend many hours for doing the same
task. A computer can process millions of instructions per
second.
 Accuracy: While doing calculations, a computer is more
accurate than man. Man can make mistakes in calculations
but a computer does not make mistakes, if it is provided
accurate instructions.
 Diligence: A computer does not suffer from the human
traits of tiredness. Man will be tired and bored while
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doing millions
Chapter 1: Overview of
of calculations
Computers
but a computer, being a
machine, does this job very efficiently and without any
 Characteristics of Computers
 Storage Capacity: A computer has much more memory
or storage capacity than human brain. It can store
millions of data and instructions, which can be retrieved
and recalled even after a number of years. This is not
possible in case of human brain.
 Versatility: A computer can perform various types of
jobs. On a computer system, we can listen to songs
while typing text or play games while working on any
other package, do calculations, make drawings, surf the
net, send e-mail, etc.
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 Characteristics of Computers
 Reduction in Manpower: Earlier, the work in
industries/factories was done by a number of persons. But
with computers, it can be completed by a few persons and
that too more accurately and efficiently. The advent of
computer has reduced the need of manpower.
 Paper Work can be Reduced: The use of computer reduces
the burden of paper work in any organization. For example,
record of each student of a school can be kept in the
computer itself rather than keeping manual files for each
student. Also, information regarding any student can be
obtained easily and quickly with the help of a computer.

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 Limitations of a Computer
Despite having various advantages, computers do have the
following limitations that are the strengths of human beings.
These are:
➢ No Intelligence: A computer is a machine and obviously has
no intelligence of its own. Each and every instruction must
be given to the computer for doing a task. Man has an
intelligence and it is the man who invented computer and
gives it all the instructions and logic to work.
➢ A computer cannot take decisions on its own and it is the
main drawback of computer.
➢ Computers do not have intelligence of their own, they work
according to the instructions given by humans.
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 Limitations of a Computer
➢No Decision-making Ability: Computers cannot
take any decisions. Human beings assist the
computer to take the decisions.
➢For example, suppose a street Man is selling
flowers. If such kind of flowers are already in our
house, we will decide not to purchase them.
Taking decision in this way, without the
assistance of human beings, is not possible by a
computer.
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 Limitations of a Computer
➢No Emotions and Feelings: Computers are far
away from emotions and certainly being
machines, they cannot have feelings and
instincts.
➢These limitations of computers are
characteristics of human beings. Thus, computers
and human beings work in collaboration to make
a perfect pair.
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 Application Areas of Computers
Why we use Computers?
The following are some of the capability computers.
 Store and process large amount of
information with high speed and accuracy;
 Transmit information across continents via
communication channels
 Simulate events
 Perform complex mathematical
computations and make comparisons;
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 Application Areas of Computers

 Monitor ongoing industrial operations

 Perform repetitive processes with great
ease, speed, and reliability;
 computers have evolved in terms of
increased computing power and decreased
size.
 Life in today’s world would be
unimaginable without computers.
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 Application Areas of Computers
 Engineers, architects, jewelers, and film makers
use computers to design things.
 Teachers, writers, and most office workers use
computers for research, word processing and
emailing.
 Small businesses can use computers as a point of
sale and for general record keeping.

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 Application Areas of Computers
 Learning Aids: learning toys

 Entertainment: games/music/movie

 Commercial or business applications: text

processing
 Scientific research applications: space technology

 Information Utilities: internet


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Electronic
Chapter 1:
Banking
Overview of Computers
and Service: online Banking,
ATM
 Application Areas of Computers
 Household Control

 Weather and Environment: weather forecasting

 Transportation: air planes are aided by

computers
 Medical and Health Care: blood pressure, heart

rate
 Routine
37 and
Chapter 1: Overview Dangerous Tasks: war
of Computers
 Application Areas of Computers
EDUCATION
 Computers can significantly enhance performance in
learning.
 Distance learning is made productive and effective
through internet and video-based classes.
 Researchers use computers in their scholarly work
 Computers are used in teaching and research.
 students can solve different kinds of problems quickly
and efficiently by using computers.
 It is used in a result processing.
 Exam preparation

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 Application Areas of Computers
Health and Medicine

 Most of the medical information can now be

digitized from the prescription to reports.
 Computers provide Therapies to patients.
 Radiotherapy is not possible without computers.
 Researchers use computers in health
 Development of Health Net of doctors and
Hospitals
 CT Scanning and Ultra sound
39  Record Keeping
Chapter 1: Overview of Computers of patients
 Application Areas of Computers
Financial Institutions
 Computers are used to store account
information of customers in a banks database.
 Computers Keep the records of the cash flow,
giving the information regarding your account.
 Most of the banks provide the facility of ATM.
The customers can draw money through ATM
card from any branch of that bank (or another
bank) at any time of a day.
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 Application Areas of Computers
Transport System
 With internet on computers we can know the details of the
buses or trains or the flight available to our desired
destination.
 The timings and even the updates on the delay can also be
known through these computers.
 We can book tickets online.
 Computers keep a track of the passengers, trains or flight
details, departure and arrival timings.
 Computers are used in cars to monitor fluid levels,
temperatures and electrical systems.
 An air control traffic systems, where computers are used to
control the flow of traffic between airplanes which needs a
41 lotChapter
of 1:precision and accuracy to be dealt with.
Overview of Computers
 Application Areas of Computers
Computers in Business
 Every single information shared can be recorded by using
computer.
 Official deals and the issues were made even through online.
 Today, in global markets, it is impossible to run the business
without the use of computer technology.
 Many business activities are performed very quickly and
efficiently by using computers.
 The administrative paperwork is also reduced by using
computers.
 Many business use websites to sell their products and contact
their customers.
 Businessmen are using computers to interact with their
customers anywhere in the world.
 Many business tasks are performed more quickly and efficiently.
42  Computers also
Chapter 1: Overview help them to reduce the overall cost of their
of Computers
business
 Application Areas of Computers
Computer for Defense
 help in developing missiles and other equipment
in the defense system.
 Designing and the maintenance are possible only
through computers.
 Computer builds the links between the soldiers
and commanders through the satellite.
 Construction of weapons and controlling their
function is not possible without the aid of
computers.
 The list of the criminals and the records of the
cops are maintained regularly in the system.
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 Application Areas of Computers
Computers for Entertainment
 Computers are now the major entertainers and
the primary pass time machines.
 We can use computers for playing games,
watching movies, listening to music, drawing
pictures.
 Many computer games and other entertainment
materials of different kinds are available on the
Internet.

44 Chapter 1: Overview of Computers

 Application Areas of Computers
Agriculture
 Farmers use small computers to help with billing,
crop information, and cost per hectare, feed
combinations, and market price checks.
 Cattle farmers can also use computers for
information about livestock breeding and
performance.

45 Chapter 1: Overview of Computers

 Application Areas of Computers
Consultant (Expert system)
 An Expert system is a computer program, which can
solve problems from a specific knowledge base.
 These systems don't replace expert humans because
the knowledge base of expert system is given from the
skilled specialist.
 Example: Mycin: a medical diagnostic program by
using sophisticated decision making process.
 This expert system was designed to identify bacteria
causing severe infections, such as bacteremia and
meningitis, and to recommend antibiotics, with the
dosage adjusted for patient's body weight.
46 Chapter 1: Overview of Computers