Introduction

Download this file

WHY STUDY COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND ARCHITECTURE?

1. Suppose a graduate enters the industry and is asked to select the most cost-effective computer for use throughout a large organization. An understanding of the implications of spending more for various alternatives, such as a larger cache or a higher processor clock rate, is essential to making the decision.

2. Many processors are not used in PCs or servers but in embedded systems. A designer may program a processor in C that is embedded in some real-time or larger system, such as an intelligent automobile electronics controller. Debugging the system may require the use of a logic analyzer that displays the relationship between interrupt requests from engine sensors and machine-level code.

3. Concepts used in computer architecture find application in other courses. In particular, the way in which the computer provides architectural support for programming languages and operating system facilities reinforces concepts from those areas.

Reference:

Computer Organization and Architecture
Eight Edition

William Stalling

Data and Signals

 Download PowerPoint Slides
Download Chapter Summary

* Data must be transformed into electromagnetic signals prior to transmission across a network.

* Data and signals can be either analog or digital.

* A signal is periodic if it consists of a continuously repeating pattern.

* Each sine wave can be characterized by its amplitude, frequency, and phase.

* Frequency and period are inverses of each other.

* A time-domain graph plots amplitude as a function of time.

* A frequency-domain graph plots each sine wave’s peak amplitude against its frequency.

* By using Fourier analysis, any composite signal can be represented as a combination of simple sine waves. 

Introduction

Download this file

* Data communication is the transfer of data from one device to another via some form of transmission medium.

* A data communications system must transmit data to the correct destination in an accurate and timely manner.

* The five components that make up a data communications system are the message, sender, receiver, medium, and protocol.

* Text, numbers, images, audio, and video are different forms of information. 

Information Systems in the Enterprise

Download this file

Key System Applications in the Organization

Since no single system provides all the information an organization needs, a number of systems have been developed to serve different organizational levels and functions. Operational, knowledge, management and strategic-level systems are designed to meet a variety of different information needs.

  Operational level systems support operational managers needs for current, accurate and easily accessible information primarily used to keep track of the elementary activities and transactions of the organization.

          Knowledge-level systems help the organization integrate new know- ledge into the business and help the organization control the flow of paperwork. Management-level systems are designed to serve the monitoring, controlling, decision- making, and administrative activities of middle managers.

          Strategic-level systems help senior managers with long-range planning needed to meet changes in the external and internal business environment.

          There are also different information needs for the various business functions: sales and marketing, manufacturing, finance, accounting, and human resources. A large organization typically has operational, management, knowledge, and strategic level systems for each of these functional areas. 

Reference:

 Management Information System
Managing the Digital Firm
Seventth Edition

Kenneth C. Laudon
Jane P. Laudon

Managing the Digital Firm

Download this file

Why Information Systems?

Information systems have taken on a vital role in the competitive global marketplace because of powerful worldwide changes in the business environment. Leading industrial countries are transforming from industrial-based to knowledge-and information-based economies. Knowledge and information work now account for 60 percent of the American gross national product, and nearly 55 percent of the U.S. labor force. 

These post-industrial, knowledge-and information-based service economies require powerful information and communications systems to compete in the post-industrial era. The emergence of global economy requires far-reaching information systems to manage business on an international scale. Business enterprises are undergoing transformations in organization and management favoring smaller more flexible organizations where employees are empowered by information and knowledge.

Reference: 

		Management Information System Managing the Digital Firm Seventth Edition Kenneth C. Laudon Jane P. Laudon