Business Computing

Santosh Pani,
Department of CSE & IT,
School of Technology,
KIIT University,
Bhubaneswar
Why to know about computers?
(Especially For Management students )
Today computers are not restricted to any particular field
or organization .So it’s not the sole property of the
engineers.

No modern organization can be imagined without

computers , so in order to manage organization every
manager must know computer .

Today one of the growing industry is software industry

and in order to manage computer professionals every
manager must know computers.
CONT…
The goal of this module is to expose students about the
developments in the computer technology and in
understanding the working of a computer system.

This module will also help students to understand how to

use IT in different business situations .
What is a Computer??

An electronic device??

A computing device??

An electronic computing device??

What is a Computer??
The specialty of a computer is that it’s a
programmable device .

It’s a digital electronic computing device

capable of processing data based on a set of
Instructions called program , with high degree
of accuracy and speed
Why digital?
There are two types of data.
1.Analog : Continuous

2.Digital :Discontinuous or discrete

Digital data is more accurate than analog data.

Why??
Digital data comes in many forms..
Decimal :containing ten distinct digits

0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Octal :containing eight distinct digits

0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7

Binary :containing two distinct digits

0,1
Computer uses digital binary data. Why??
Classification of Computer:
Computers can be classified in different ways
We will study the classification of computers by size
and use.
 The size of a computer is not measured in cubic cm or
in cubic feet but in terms of its processing capacity ,
amount of internal and external memory etc.
 The size of computers varies widely from tiny to huge
and is usually dictated by computing requirements.
For example, it is clear that the Indian Railways will
have different requirements than those of a college
student.
Measurement of size
The processing capacity of a computer is
measured in how many instructions can be
executed by the machine per unit time.

The memory is measured in bytes ,kilobytes,

gigabytes ,terabytes…etc

Bit is short form of binary digit

collection of 8 bit is termed as a byte
1 byte = 8 bits

1Kilobyte=1024 bytes(210bytes)

1gigabyte=1024kilobytes

1Terabyte=1024gigabyte
Supercomputers
 The largest computers are supercomputers. They are
the most powerful, the most expensive, and the fastest.
They are capable of processing trillions of instructions
per second.
 Examples of users of these computers are
governmental agencies, such as the National Weather
Service, and the National Defense Agency.
 Also, they are used in the making of movies, space
exploration, and the design of many other machines.
 A super computer tends to focus on performing a single
program of intense numerical calculations
Applications of Super Computer
 Used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as
 Weather forecasting
 Climate research (including research into global
warming),
 Molecular modeling (computing the structures and
properties of chemical compounds, biological
macromolecules, polymers, and crystals),
 Physical simulations (such as simulation of airplanes
in wind tunnels, simulation of the detonation of
nuclear weapons, and research into nuclear fusion),
 Major universities, military agencies and scientific
research laboratories are heavy users.
Mainframes
 Mainframe computers can support hundreds or
thousands of users, handling massive amounts of
input, output, and storage.
 Mainframe computers are used in large organizations
where many users need access to shared data and
programs.
 Mainframes are also used as e-commerce servers,
handling transactions over the Internet, banks,
insurance companies, manufacturers, mail-order
companies, and airlines are typical users.
 Mainframes are often ‘servers’-- computers that control
the networks of computers for large companies like
Indian Railway Reservation System.
A Mainframe Computer
Terminals
Storage Disks
Central Processing Unit

Printers
Mainframe
System
Minicomputers/Workstations

 Mini computers, or Workstations, were computers that

are one step above the micro or personal computers and
a step below mainframe computers.
 They are intended to serve one user, but contain special
hardware enhancements not found on a
personal computer.
 They run operating systems that are normally associated
with mainframe computers, usually one of the variants of
the UNIX operating system.
 In the mid 1990s, most software venders dropped
support for these machines, as personal computers
reached the processing capabilities of Mini computers
and Workstations.
Microcomputers

 Microcomputers are popularly called as

personal computers .

 The price of a microcomputer varies greatly, depending

on the capacity and features of the computer.

 Microcomputers make up the vast majority of computers.

Notebook
 Another classification of computer is the notebook
computer.
 A notebook computer can fit into a briefcase and weigh
fewer than two pounds(1kg approx), yet it can compete
with the microcomputer.
 A larger, heavier version is called a laptop computer.
 Notebooks generally cost more than microcomputers but
can run most of the microcomputer software and are
more versatile. Like other computers, notebook
computers are getting faster, lighter, and more functional
Personal Digital Assistant
 The smallest computer is the handheld computer called
a personal digital assistant or a PDA.

 PDAs are used to track appointments and shipments as

well as names and addresses.

 PDAs are called pen-based computers because they

utilize a pen-like stylus that accepts hand-written input
directly on a touch-sensitive screen.
Classification of Computer:

1. For individual use

 Desktop computers
 Workstations
 Notebook computers
 Tablet computers
 Handheld computers
 Smart phones
• For Organizational Use
 Mainframe computers
 Super computer
Computers for Individual Use

 Computers can
be shared by
multiple users
but can be used
by only one
person at a time.
Computers for Individual Use
 Although PCs are used by individuals,
they also can be connected together to create
networks.
Computers for Individual Use
 Desktop computers
 The most common type of computer
 Sits on the desk or floor
 Performs a variety of tasks
Computers for Individual Use
 Desktop computers
 Different design types
Computers for Individual Use
 Workstations
 Specialized computers
 Optimized for science or graphics
 More powerful than a desktop
Computers for Individual Use
 Notebook computers
 Small portable computers
 Weighs between 3 and 8 pounds
Computers for Individual Use
 Notebook computers
 About 8 ½ by 11 inches
 Typically as powerful as a desktop
Computers for Individual Use
 Tablet computers
 Newest development
in portable computers
 Input is through
a pen
 Run specialized
versions of office
products
Computers for Individual Use
 Handheld computers, palm computer
 Very small computers
 Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
 Note taking or contact management
 Data can synchronize with a desktop
Computers for Individual Use
 Smart phones
 Hybrid of cell phone
and PDA
 Web surfing,

e-mail access
Computers for Organizations
 Mainframes as Network servers
 Centralized computer
 All other computers connect
Computers for Organizations
 Mainframes as Network servers
 Provides access to network resources
 Multiple servers are called server farms
Computers for Organizations
 Mainframes
 Large and powerful systems
 Used in large organizations
Computers for Organizations
 Mainframes
 Handle thousands of users
 Users access through a terminal
Computers for Organizations
 Supercomputers
 The most powerful
computers made
 Handle large and
complex calculations
 Process trillions of
operations per second
 Found in research
organizations
END OF SESSION-1