1.1.1: Introduction to Microcomputer Applications

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Technology Scenario

WorldCorp welcomes you to your new position within the company, a multinational corporation where the jobs are plentiful, and the future is bright. To be successful at WorldCorp, you will need to know a little bit about the computing past and a lot about the computing present. You’ll also need to have a sense of the computing future, especially as it pertains to business. That’s what this chapter is about. You will also need to know how to perform basic functions at WorldCorp using two major computer programs you’ve probably heard of—Microsoft 365, or more commonly known as Office, and Google Workspace. The next chapter in this textbook, Essentials of Software Applications for Business, covers the basics of these programs.

Figure 1.1: Today’s workspaces represent decades of advances in technology. Portable personal computers, cellular communications, tablets, and advances in artificial intelligence have changed the way people do their jobs. (credit: modification of "Home office, Computer, Desk" by Pexels/Pixabay, CC0)

WorldCorp activities presented in other chapters will lay out specific computing tasks, such as formatting documents, creating spreadsheets, designing online slide presentations, posting on social media, and conducting virtual meetings. Even though the online environment changes rapidly, these are fundamental computing skills that workers need regardless of their level of employment. As you move forward in the text, you will learn more about WorldCorp, its structure, products, customers, and strategies.

Chapter Learning Objectives

1. Recognize information systems and their key components.
2. Outline the fundamental history of information systems.
3. Examine the primary components, including technology, people, and process.
4. Identify the evolution of technology integrations within an organization.
5. Identify communication and network concepts, systems, and applications.

Welcome to the world of information systems, a world that seems to change almost daily. Over the past few decades information systems have progressed to being virtually everywhere, even to the point where you may not realize its existence in many of your daily activities. Stop and consider how you interface with various components in information systems every day through different electronic devices. Smartphones, laptop, and personal computers connect us constantly to a variety of systems including messaging, banking, online retailing, and academic resources, just to name a few examples. Information systems are at the center of virtually every organization, providing users with almost unlimited resources. Have you ever considered why businesses invest in technology? Some purchase computer hardware and software because everyone else has computers. Some even invest in the same hardware and software as their business friends even though different technology might be more appropriate for them. Finally, some businesses do sufficient research before deciding what best fits their needs. As you read through this book be sure to evaluate the contents of each chapter based on how you might someday apply what you have learned to strengthen the position of the business you work for, or maybe even your own business. Wise decisions can result in stability and growth for your future enterprise. Information systems surround you almost every day. Wi-fi networks on your university campus, database search services in the learning resource center, and printers in computer labs are good examples. Every time you go shopping you are interacting with an information system that manages inventory and sales. Even driving to school or work results in an interaction with the transportation information system, impacting traffic lights, cameras, etc. Vending machines connect and communicate using the Internet of Things (IoT). Your car’s computer system does more than just control the engine – acceleration, shifting, and braking data is always recorded. And, of course, everyone’s smartphone is constantly connecting to available networks via Wi-fi, recording your location and other data. Can you think of some words to describe an information system? Words such as “computers,” “networks,” or “databases” might pop into your mind. The study of information systems encompasses a broad array of devices, software, and data systems. Defining an information system provides you with a solid start to this course and the content you are about to encounter.

Defining Information Systems

Many programs in business require students to take a course in information systems. Various authors have attempted to define the term in different ways. Read the following definitions, then see if you can detect some variances.

• “An information system (IS) can be defined technically as a set of interrelated components that collect, process, store, and distribute information to support decision making and control in an organization.”
• “Information systems are combinations of hardware, software, and telecommunications networks that people build and use to collect, create, and distribute useful data, typically in organizational settings.”
• “Information systems are interrelated components working together to collect, process, store, and disseminate information to support decision making, coordination, control, analysis, and visualization in an organization.”

As you can see these definitions focus on two different ways of describing information systems: the components that make up an information system and the role those components play in an organization. Each of these need to be examined.

The Components of Information Systems

Information systems can be viewed as having five major components: hardware, software, data, people, and processes. The first three are technology. These are probably what you thought of when defining information systems. The last two components, people and processes, separate the idea of information systems from more technical fields, such as computer science. In order to fully understand information systems, you will need to understand how all of these components work together to bring value to an organization science. In order to fully understand information systems, you will need to understand how all of these components work together to bring value to an organization.

Technology

Technology can be thought of as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. From the invention of the wheel to the harnessing of electricity for artificial lighting, technology has become ubiquitous in daily life, to the degree that it is assumed to always be available for use regardless of location. As discussed before, the first three components of information systems – hardware, software, and data – all fall under the category of technology. Each of these will be addressed in an individual chapter. At this point a simple introduction should help you in your understanding.

Hardware

Hardware is the tangible, physical portion of an information system – the part you can touch. Computers, keyboards, disk drives, and Flash drives are all examples of systems hardware. How these hardware components function and work together will be covered in future chapter.

Software

Software comprises the set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do. Software is not tangible – it cannot be touched. Programmers create software by typing a series of instructions telling the hardware what to do. Two main categories of software are: Operating Systems and Application software. Operating Systems software provides the interface between the hardware and the Application software. Examples of operating systems for a personal computer include Microsoft Windows and Ubuntu Linux. The mobile phone operating system market is dominated by Google Android and Apple iOS. Application software allows the user to perform tasks such as creating documents, recording data in a spreadsheet, or messaging a friend. Software will be explored more thoroughly later in the book.

Data

The third technology component is data. You can think of data aSs a collection of facts. For example, your address (street, city state, postal code), your phone number, and your social networking account are all pieces of data. Like software, data is also intangible, unable to be seen in its native state. Pieces of unrelated data are not very useful. But aggregated, indexed, and organized together into a database, data can become a powerful tool for businesses. Organizations collect all kinds of data and use it to make decisions which can then be analyzed as to their effectiveness. The analysis of data is then used to improve the organization’s performance. Future sections will focus on data and databases, and how it is used in organizations.