Computer Applications in

Business

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 Computer?
Machine – combination of
electronic, electrical &
mechanical parts or hardware;

-Has it’s own language

-Controlled by software

-Capable of receiving, processing, storing, and

retrieving instructions/data.

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Who is the User?

Mainly two types of user

-Computer professional
Had formal education in technical
aspects; ex.Computer Programmer
-End user
A person like yourself, bank clerk

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Computer literacy
Having an understanding of what
a computer is. How it can be used
as a resource

Computer competency
Having capacity and skills of using
computer to meet information
need s and improve productivity

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Computer System
Made up of six parts:
-Hardware (keyboard, motherboard),
-Software (Windows, MS Word),
-Data/Information (25, Karim),
-Procedure (how to accomplish),
-People (user),
-and Communication (network, channel).

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Computer hardware

Can be divided into five categories:

• Input hardware (keyboard, mouse)
• Processing hardware (CPU, RAM)
• Storage hardware (Hard disk, Tape)
• Output hardware (Screen, Printer)
• Communication hardware (Modem, Fax)

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Input hardware

• To collect data, convert it into a machine

understandable form;
• Keyboard is the most common input
hardware, mouse is also a common input
device.

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Processing hardware
Function of processing hardware is to retrieve
and execute instructions.
Performing calculations, and other logical
activities.
Example: Central processing unit (CPU),
Random access memory (RAM)

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Storage hardware

Function of storage hardware is to store:

Data, information, software, files in different
formats.
Things stored in storage hardware are
permanent. Reusable

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Output hardware

Provide the user with the means to view

information produced by the computer
system
Output may be of soft or hard form.
Screen provides softcopy of information
Printer provides hardcopy of information

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Communication hardware

Function of communication hardware is to

facilitate the connection between computers.
Example: Modem, Cable, Fax modem etc.

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Computer software

Set of instructions, programs

Provide artificial intelligence
Without software hardwires are useless
Mainly two types: System software and
Application software

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Types of computer systems

Computers come in a variety of size and shape

and processing capacity.
 Supercomputers
 Mainframe computers
 Minicomputers
 Microcomputers

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Supercomputer-

• Can handle gigantic amounts of scientific

computation
• Maintain in a special room
• May be about 50000 times faster than
microcomputer
• May cost 20 million dollars
• As a business manager you probably would not
have to contact with a supercomputer
• Mainly use for scientific research, weather forecast

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Mainframe computer-
• A large computer
• Capable of processing thousands of users requests
• Smaller and less powerful than supercomputers
• Cost up to 5-10 million dollars
• Useful for a large airline, bank, and insurance
company

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Minicomputer

• Known as mid range computer

• Can support 50-100 users
• Smaller than mainframe computers
• Faster than microcomputers
• Cost about 5000 - 10000 dollars
• Medium range firm use minicomputers

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Microcomputer

• You will be dealing with mostly as a user

• Also known as personal computer (PC)
• Generally used by only one person at a time
• Cost 500-1000 dollars
• Available in variety of size and shape
• Desktop, Laptop, Notebook, Palmtop, Tablet etc.

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