Chapter 4 Hardware, Software and Mobile devices

Chapter 4: Hardware, Software and Mobile Systems

This chapter discusses basic hardware terms, software concepts, open source software development and how innovated hardware made an impact on businesses.  The chapter will also talk about native and web applications which included mobile systems and what challenges it brings.

Q4-1 What Do Business Professional Need to Know About Computer Hardware?

Computer hardware is being integrated in so many devices these days, the concept as computer hardware is evolving. Computer hardware are electronic components in various devices. These devices are allowed to communicate with other devices through different channels of networks. Software programs encodes certain instructions to store data and memory on computer hardware.

Hardware Components: In order for computer hardware to work, it needs hardware components such as a CPU. The brain of a computer is the central processing unit. This intelligent electronic brain instructs the operation of the computer to perform arithmetic and logical comparisons. Dual processor and Quad processor are types of CPUs that computers have. Both the CPU and Main Memory work simultaneously as one reads the data and the other stores the data. Ram is main memory which in computers is called store hardware.

Types of Hardware: The basic hardware types are computing devices such as personal computers, tablets, smartphones, servers and server farms. Servers purpose is to process request from PCS and PC users. When there is a collection of servers, its typical called a server farm. The infrastructure of these servers can provide and create a cloud.

Computer Data: Bits are used in computers which is represented by binary digits. Bits are typically either a zero or one since its easier read. These numbers represent a move or a function that the computer is trying achieve.

Computer Data Sizes: Bits are then grouped into 8-bit chunks called bytes. Bytes typically represent main memory, disk and computer devices. Data storage capacity use these bytes such as kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte, petabyte, Exabyte and zettabyte. Computer disk capacities are used to store a specific amount of data that is either volatile or nonvolatile.

Q4-2 How Can New Hardware Affect Competitive Strategies?

There are three new hardware developments that have affect competitive strategies, such as internet of things, self-driving cars and 3D Printing. Both new and current organizations think these new innovations generate opportunities, revenue and threats.

Internet of Things: The idea of object’s being connected to the internet and interface with other devices, applications or services. For instance, smart devices are now wired to process, sense and transmit data. Now we are moving towards an age of Augmented reality, which combines the real world and virtual reality together. This new innovation will disrupt the market. The impact of the internet of things for example: GE focused on smart devices which allowed them reduce waste, increase efficiency and made better decision making. This transferred to make an impact in hospitals, railroads and manufacturing plants from using smart devices.

Self-Driving Cars: Another disruptive force which uses sensors to drive the car itself and integrates advance hardware and software programs. These self-driving cars will make things easier, cheaper and safer. The cars will be able to move and drive all around, allowing humans to be more productive and save time during the day. This new innovation will disrupt the auto industries.

3D Printing: These printers create plastics, metals, ceramics, foods and biological material. 3D printing is able to provide certain opportunities for aerospace, defense, automotive, entertainment and healthcare industries.

Q4-3 What do Business Professional Need to Know About Software?

You need to know every computer needs an operating system, a program which controls a computer resources. The functions of an operating system are to read and write data, allocate memory and creates/manages the user interface. Both client and server computers need an operating system so it can process app programs. Clients are programs and applications which controls and processes on a computer.  In the end, the application design determines if the client or server should process it.  It’s require to know a version of an operating system is directly correlated with specific hardware. Native applications also called thick-client applications are particularly written to be use by an operating system. For instance, Microsoft word is a program that can work on both Windows and MAC systems however 1 program cannot work for both systems but needs to be purchase separately for each system.  Web applications known as a thin-client application are programmed to run on computer browsers from any type of computer.

What are the Major Operating Systems? Microsoft windows is an example of a nonmobile client operating system. There’re different mobile client operating systems, for example: IOS operates IPhones and Android or Windows 10 operates most mobile phones. There are three types of server operating systems: Windows servers and IBM servers which includes Linux and Unix.

Virtualization: Is a process when many computers appear on one server, an operating system dedicated to run multiple operating systems as applications. These host operating systems control the virtual machines activities and interfering with each other. PC virtualization will host several different operating systems on a personal computer. Server virtualization acts as a server to host multiple server computers. However, the potential of desktop virtualization allows a server host different versions of desktop operating systems.

Own Versus License: Licenses give you the right to use the program, such as when you buy a Windows license. However, large organizations purchase a site license which is a flat fee to install a software product on all company computers.

What Types of Application Exist and How Do Organizations Obtain Them? There are three types of applications and can be develop by any individual or hire a development vendor. Horizontal-market applications are examples of word processors, which is a software that’s provided common capabilities across the organization. Vertical-Market application is a software that uses programs to serve the need for a specific industry. Lastly, one-of-a-kind application is software made for a specific reason or a unique task. In addition, software source can be found off-the shelf, off-the-shelf and then customized and custom-developed.

What is Firmware? It’s a computer software installed on read-only memory devices because it becomes part of the device memory. IS professionals can change, upgrade or adapt firmware software.

Q4-4 Is Open Source Software a Viable Alternative?

After Richard Mathew Stallman develop the GNU and the GNU general public license agreement, it provided a great source for the open source movement.

Why Do Programmers Volunteer Their Services? Programmers engaged in an intense combination of art and logic when creating a complicated computer program. Programmers are sometimes allowed to exercise creativity on projects their interested in. Programmers can freely choose a project they want to work on and have a chance to practice their skills. Some programmers even have the chance to create their own business or intellectual property.

How Does Open Source Work?  Source code is a number code in a computer that was written by humans and understand by humans. Open Source means the program of the source code is available to the public. The source code is processed and compiled by a computer through the machine code. A closed source code is a restrictive code that is use and available for organizations and their employees. Open source can be viable depending on the requirements and constraints of the situation. However, even though open software may be free, it’s still possible be charged for operational cost or licensing fee.

Q4-5 What Are the Differences Between Native and Web Applications? The difference between Native and Web applications is Native runs on just one operating system. Web applications run in browsers which handles both the operating system and hardware through a hidden code. Native applications can only run on the operating system it was program too and the cost running these applications in house is high. Native applications are typically dealing with Java, IOS, Android and Windows. Web applications are usually easy to build by low entry level technicians. However, web applications are limited by web browser capabilities but these applications can run on any operating system.  Web applications are cheaper to develop but depending on your requirements Native may be just as viable.

Q4-6 Why Ae Mobile Systems Increasingly Important?

Well mobile systems are an information system which supports users in motion and can be anywhere to access the system. The major elements are users in motion, mobile devices, wireless connectivity and cloud-based resource. These mobile devices are small, lightweight, power conserving and is capable to connecting to WiFi. The impact of mobile devices is changing the technological industry and creating opportunities for both businesses and career wise. Hardware will be sold to create more mobile devices and use software to compact more interface. Mobile devices will generate data and is convenient to use anywhere on the go. Mobile systems are providing a just-in-time data which allows user to receive information at a precise time when needed.

Q4-7 What Are the Challenges of Personal Mobile Devices at Work?

Businesses now face the challenge of having their own employees on their mobile device and having to figure out a solution to balance the bridge. Organizations enjoy the low cost saving of having their own employees purchase the hardware. However, scared that the company will be vulnerable and lose some type of control. The advantage is employees now feel more satisfy using their own devices so creating higher productivity and it will reduce the cost of training. The disadvantage is the chance of losing data, risk of infection or losing control over employees using their device. Then the organization can’t update any software that is required or upload any application because it’s their own personal device.

Q4-8 2026?

In 2026, our world will see our people always on their device, always connected and communicating. The internet of things will be bigger and the technology will be integrated in so many more objects. Possibly better paying jobs using both native and web applications; which will have translated from us being better problem solvers, using better judgment and using our creativity or desire to learn new things.