Running Head: Use of Information Technology within Organizations
Use of Information Technology within Organizations
Manish Shah
Carmen Mercado
Ruby San Agustin
Kim Nguyen
Michael Irizarry
CIS 570 Information Management in Business
Date 8/5/2006
INTRODUCTION
This overview discusses the use of information technology (IT) that team members
observed within the various organizations in which they are employed. We will first
describe hardware, software, databases, and networks the team members observed. Then,
we will recommend improvements to existing systems. We will also evaluate how the
changing business environment has affected the decisions team members organizations
have made in their use of information technology. Finally. we will compare the various the
organizations technological capabilities.
Table below summarizes hardware, software, database, networks and platform ware we
observed.
Company Hardware Software Platformware Database Networks
Unilever
SVB
Optical View
Agilent PC MS Word Windows XP Oracle Internet/Intranet
Servers Java MS Access
Storage Devices SAP
The hardware is the physical component of a computer, which encompasses the digital
circuitry. Hardware does not change that often it usually a stable fixture unlike software
and data which can be modified to serve the end users needs. Firmware a type of software
seldom if ever needs to be changed it stored on the hardware, this item is
readtionly-memory or (ROM) since it is infrequently changed it is firm instead of soft.
Computer hardware is not seen by the end user. It is implanted in systems like
automobiles, microwave ovens, compact disc players and other machines and devises.
The classic personal computer has a case or chassis it a desktop or tower shape and
includes these parts: Motherboard with space for upgrade cards and these additional parts:
Central processing unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (Ram) for short term data storage
and program execution, Basic input / output system (BIOS), Buses: PCI bus, PCI-E or
ACP bus, USB, CD, DVD, Floppy disk, Internal storage, This just a mention of a few of
the features of course there are many more parts that comprise the hardware.
Software part of the computer structure encompasses the encoded information or computer
instruction in contrast to the hardware that is used to store and process information.
Platform software includes the basic input-output system or firmware a graphical user
interface which lets a user interact with the computer and its peripherals. Platform software
comes with the computer. Applications software are what people think when they think of
software, examples are office suite, videos games. Application software runs
independently of the computer and is purchased separately in most cases and might be
suited for a particular platform.
