Group 1 - 20%

Types of Computers

• Supercomputers
• Mainframe Computers
• Midrange Computers (minicomputers)
• Microcomputers
• Desktop PC
• Thin-Client Systems
• Laptop and Notebook

Supercomputers

The fastest computers available at any given time
High cost, used by large organizations (military, scientific research, national weather service)
Execute computationally demanding tasks involving very large datasets

Mainframe Computers

The high end of the performance and reliability scales
Perform at teraflop speeds and can handle millions of transactions per day

Midrange Computers (minicomputers)

Larger midrange computers that are relatively small, inexpensive, and compact
Perform the same functions as mainframe computers but more limited

Microcomputers

Personal computers
The smallest and least expensive category of general-purpose computers

Desktop PC

Familiar microcomputer system that has become a standard tool for business and the home
A central processing unit and a separate but connected monitor and keyboard

Thin-Client Systems

Desktop computer systems that don't offer the full functionality of a PC
Less complex, with no locally installed software
Access applications from a server over a network instead of from a local disk drive

Laptop and Notebook

Small, easily transportable, lightweight microcomputer, portable, energy-efficient
Optimized for internet-based services such as web browsing and email

Information System

• Central Processing Unit
• Primary Storage
• Secondary Storage
• Input Devices
• Output Devices

Central Processing Unit

The brain of the computer
Manipulates the data and controls the tasks performed by other components
Consists of

• Arithmetic Logic Unit: performs simple math and logic
• Control Unit: controls all computer parts (reads memory and transfers information around)
  Actions:
• Performs mathematical operations
• Processes and transfers data
• Makes decisions

Primary Storage

• Temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing
• Registers: part of the CPU, least capacity, storing extremely limited amounts of instruction/data only immediately before/after processing
• Cache Memory: high-speed memory that enables computer to temporarily store blocks of data that are used more often
• Random Access Memory (RAM): art of primary storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data
• Read-Only Memory (ROM): chip where certain critical instructions are safeguarded, nonvolatile so it retains instructions when turned off
• Stores: all/part of active software program, operating system software, data program using

Secondary Storage

• Solid State Drives: data storage devices that serve the same purpose as a hard drive and store data in memory chips (no moving parts)
• Flash Memory (memory cards): nonvolatile electronic storage device that contains no moving parts and uses less power
• Ex: Magnetic disk, optical disk, magnetic tape, hard drive

Input Devices

accept data/instructions and instructions and convert them to a form that a computer can understand touchscreen

Ex: keyboard, mouse, scanners, digital cameras, joysticks, microphones, touchscreen

Output Devices

accept data/instructions from computer and convert them to a form that a human can understand

Ex: monitors, printers, speakers

Speed vs. Size Tradeoff

Most Expensive, Fastest, Smallest: Register, Cache, RAM, ROM, Magnetic Disk, Optical, Magnetic Tape

Role of Software

• Computer hardware has no use without operating system and application software running it
• Computers are only as smart/sophisticated as the software running it
• Software Program: series of statements/instructions to computer

Types of Software

System Software and Application Software

System Software

generalized programs that manage the computer resources and are designed to provide a platform for other software

• Operating System (OS), Programming Languages, System Utilities

System Software Types

• System Management Programs: OS, database, telecommunications
• System Support Programs: utilities, performance/security monitors
• System Development Program: language translators, environment

Application Software

programs written for/by users to perform specific tasks

Application Software Types

• General Purpose Application: word processing, spreadsheets, databases, telecommunications, graphics
• Application-Specific Programs: accounting, marketing, sales analysis, manufacturing, production control

Operating System (System Software)

• Most Essential System Software
• Every general-purpose computer has OS
• Single-User: primarily for a single user (Windows/Mac OS)
• Multiuser: permits hundreds of concurrent users

OS - Task Management

controlling/scheduling what data/instructions are sent to CPU for processing

• Multitasking: process of executing multiple tasks simultaneously → maximize use of CPU
• Multiprocessing: two or more CPU's within a single computer system, multiple concurrent software processes can be executed
• Multithreading: ability to run several parts of the program in parallel, subdivide specific operations within a single app into threads that run in parallel

OS - Memory Management

• assigning data a place in storage/remembering those locations
• Complicated by the fact that the data that constitute a single file may not be physically located sequentially
• When you do a wipe (secure delete), you are telling the operating system to overwrite the disk space with either zeros or random data
• Make it much harder/impossible to recover previously deleted file

OS - Device Management

basic input output storage is firmware that performs hardware initialization during the booting process, to provide runtime services for OS/programs

• Basic Input Output Storage: responsible for loading/starting OS and establishing device management
• Read-Only Memory: when booting a computer the first job for the Basic Input Output Storage is to initialize and identify system devices such as the keyboard, mouse, hard disk, CD/DVD drive, and other hardware
  OS coordinates the input/output of data to/from peripherals using special programs called drivers
• Used to translate data sent between processor and various hardware devices such as printers, disk drives, and monitors

OS - Interface

Graphical User Interface: visual elements, user-friendly, everyday users

Character-Based User Interface: commands, difficult to multitask

Application Software

Instructions that direct a computer system to perform specific information-processing activities to provide functionality for users

Personal Application Software
Commercial Applications

Application Software - Commercial Applications

Proprietary Software: developed by company, has restrictions on use, copying, and modification, source code of proprietary software is not made available, modifications are only contracted with the developing company

• Copying manufacturer's explicit permission is piracy/illegal

Commercial Software: CRM, ERP, etc

Application Software - Commercial Software

• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Supply Chain Management
• Customer Relationship Management

AS - Commercial Software: Enterprise Resource Planning

software application with a centralized database that can be used to run an entire company

• Data stored in central database, data entered in one part immediately available to other parts of the company (manufacturing/production, sales/marketing, HR, finance/accounting)
• Companies need to purchase modules that represent different functions within the organization
• ERP vendor designs modules with rules for best practices → improves business practices
• Benefits: improved customer service/responsiveness, satisfaction, cash utilization, lower costs for customer acquisition/retention
• Challenges: costs are higher for global operations, failure rate of 55-75%, integration challenges, poor user acceptance, make matters worse

AS - Commercial Software: Supply Chain Management

enables key supply chain process

• Plan (balance demand/supply), Source (procures goods/services), Make (transforms product to finished state), Deliver (finished good/services to meet demand), Return (returning products/receiving return)
• System: enables firm to generate demand forecasts for a product/develop sourcing/manufacturing plans
• Demand Planning: determining how much product business needs to make to satisfy all customers demands
• Execution System: manage the flow of products through distribution centers to ensure delivery/efficiency
• Performance Monitoring

AS - Commercial Software: Customer Relationship Management

allows managing company's interaction with current/future customers → help firms maximize the benefits of their customer assets

• Ex: car dealer sending email/card saying car needs service, Netflix recommends show
• Types: Marketing (direct mail/interactions), Sales (stores/sales), Service (call centers)
• Classes: Operational (customer-facing applications) & Analytical (analysis of customer data/improving performance)
• Analytical: dividing market into smaller groups, specific targets, focus data on profitability, usage, product pricing, revenue anticipated

Bits

on/off signal switch → on = 1 and off = 0
Smallest unit of data

Byte

8 bits in a byte
Smallest addressable unit of data

Computer Network

a system that connects computers and other devices (printers) via communications media so that data can be transmitted

• Bandwidth: speed of network is measured in those terms (transmission capacity, bits per second)
• Broadband Networks: greater bandwidth
  Download speeds of at least 25 Mbps & Upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps

Types of Networks

• Personal Area Networks
• Local Area Networks
• Wide Area Networks

Personal Area Networks

individual use within very small area
Ex: personal hotspot

Local Area Networks

interconnects computers within a limited area (residences, schools, office buildings)

• Allows sharing of costly resources such as printers by all computers
• Central storage/backup can be provided in one place (dedicated file server) → all work is saved together
• Data/software can be shared/upgrading is easier too

Wide Area Networks

large geographical area, connects multiple LAN's

• Provided by common carriers such as telephone companies and international networks of global communications
• Large capacity, combines many channels (fiber-optic cable, microwave, satellite)
• Ex: Internet

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

unique address to each computer on the internet that distinguishes it from all other computers

• IPv4: the most widely used format (135.62.128.91)
  many are reserved and are not commercially available (max 4.3 billion)
• IPv6: accommodates more devices (smartphones etc)
• Ex: https:// (numbers and letters)

Wireless Transmission Media (WTM)

• Wireless media (or broadcast media)
• Microwave (line of sight)
• Satellite (line of sight)
• Infrared (line of sight)
• Radio
• Bluetooth

Wireless media (or broadcast media)

transmit signals without wires

Microwave (line of sight)

used for high volume, long-distance, point-to-point communication

• Require Line-of-Sight: transmitter/receiver are in view of each other
• Transmission: digital/analog signals (long-distance calls, TV programs, computer data)
• Ex: GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Radar, Medial Equipment, Military
• Earth curvature, microwave towers cannot be spaced more than 30 miles apart
• Susceptible to environmental interference

Satellite (line of sight)

• Advantages: high bandwidth, large coverage area
• Disadvantages: expensive, requires an unobstructed line of sight, propagation delay, use of encryption for security
• Low Earth Orbit: 160-2,000 km → Hubble space telescope
• Medium Earth Orbit: 2,000-35786 → GPS
• Geostationary Equatorial Orbit:35786 → monitoring weather, communications, surveillance

Infrared (line of sight)

• Red light (not visible to human eyes)
• Short distance connections
• Ex: remote controls

Radio

travels through the air and can pass through walls

Bluetooth

Short-range wireless network using radio waves that is utilized to create small personal area networks

• Bluetooth 1.2: link up to 8 devices within 30 ft, bandwidth 721 Kbps
• Bluetooth 4.2: transmit up to 1 Mbps within 200 ft
• Bluetooth 5: transmit up to 2 Mbps within 800 ft

Wireless Fidelity

Medium-range wireless local area networks

• Wireless Mesh Networks: multiple Wi-Fi access points to create a wide area network (large/essential) → interconnected local area networks
• Access Point: device (base station) that connects wireless devices (300 ft perimeter), usually connected to a wired network
• Extended Service Set ID (ESSID): "name" for the AP
• Hotspot: area covered by wireless access points

Wide Area Network

Cellular Radio (Cellular Telephones)

• 4G: 100 Mbps for high mobility communications (cars/trains) and 1 Gbps for low-mobility, secure all IP-based mobile broadband
• Long-Term Evolution (LTE): support roaming internet access via smartphone/handheld device
• XLTE (advanced LTE): handle network congestion when too many people in one area try to access an LTE network
• 5G: 2019, data rates up to 10 Gbps
  Chicago, Minneapolis, Miami, T-Mobile, Verizon

Cloud Computing

a method for delivering business and IT services, promises businesses and users to acquire the IT resources they need when they need it

• On-demand IT service provisioning and utilization
• Use of network resources, principally internet resources, to provide on-demand data processing and storage
• Characteristics:
• "No-need-to-know" underlying details or infrastructure
• "Flexibility and elasticity" allows these systems to scale up and down
• "Pay as much as used and needed" type of utility computing and the "Always on, anywhere, and any place" type of network-based computing

Cloud Computing Advantages

• Lower Costs: no need for high-priced computers to run CC applications
• Since apps run in the cloud, not on the desktop, PC processing power or HD space isn't needed
• Increased Flexibility
• Self-Service & Pay-Per-Use: payment model in CC charges based on resource usage
• Multitenancy: single instance of software runs on a server and serves multiple tenants, group of users with common access with specific privileges
• Elastic Capacity: the degree a system can adapt to workload changes by provisioning and de-provisioning resources in an autonomic manner
• Improved Performance
• Computer Performance: computers in CC system boot/run faster because they have fewer programs and processes to load into memory
• Instance Software Updates: always latest version
• Increased Data Reliability/Centralization: computer crashing in the cloud does not affect the storage of data
• Device Independence: able to function on a wide variety of devices regardless of local hardware on which software is used

Cloud Computing Disadvantages

Requires constant internet connection
Low-speed connections do not work well
Limited compared to desktop versions (office 365 vs local installation of Office)

Types of Cloud Services

• Software as a Service (SaaS): users
• Platform as a Service (PaaS): software developers
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): system administrators and network architects

Software as a Service (SaaS)

• users
• Manage: nothing
• Advantage: reduce time and money on installing/upgrading software
• Characteristics: managed from central location, not responsible for hardware/software updates, hosted on remote server
• When to Use: startup/small companies that need to launch quickly, short-term projects that requires quick and easy/affordable

Software as a Service (SaaS) - In Depth

• Software that is centrally hosted/managed for the end customer
• Based on a multitenant architecture (single version application used for all customers), scaled out to multiple instances to ensure the best performances
• Licensed: monthly/annual subscription, subscribers always provided recent version
• Ex: Microsoft Office, subscription fee, exchange as a service, storage (one drive)
• Graphic: central SaaS core concept of software as a service, hosted in the cloud by a service provider made accessible to users over internet
• Software Applications Provided: CRM, email marketing, analytics, project management, marketing automation, live chat, help desk, invoice application

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

• software developers
• Manage: applications and data → software creation
• Advantage: scalable, cost-effective, customization
• Characteristics: easily scaled, integrates web services
• When to Use: multiple developers working on same project, create customized applications

Platform as a Service (PaaS) - In Depth

• Deploy: application into an application-hosting environment provided by the cloud service vendor
• Developer: provides the application, and the PaaS vendor provides the ability to deploy/run it
• Frees developers from hardware infrastructure management, allowing them to focus strictly on the development of software
• Graphic:
• Within the cloud, there are three primary elements available to developers (software, operating system, and integrated development environment)
• Developers interact with the platform to build/deploy their applications
• Paas ensures smooth operation, security, and data management of network access, database, data security (developers don't have to worry about that)
• Ensures scalability and collaboration

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

• system administrators and network architects
• Manage: applications, data, runtime, middleware, OS → infrastructure through virtualization
• Advantage: most flexible CC model, highly scalable, automate deployment
• Characteristics: resources available as a service, cost varies on consumption, highly scalable
• When to Use: startups may prefer IaaS to avoid spending time/money, large companies may prefer to retain complete control over apps and infrastructure

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - In Depth

• Cloud Vendor: runs/manages server farms running virtualization software, enabling you to create virtual machines that run on the vendor infrastructure
• Depending on the vendor, you can create a VM running Windows and install anything you want on it
• Provider: allows you to set up virtual networks, load balances, and storage. You can configure a VM similar to the infrastructure currently running your services in your data center and migrate your software to the new VM
• Provider Enables: "lift and shift" model for migration to the cloud
• No control over hardware or virtualization software but you do control everything else
• Graphic: IaaS allows users to rent/manage CC infrastructure (servers, storage, networking, virtualization) on a pay-as-you-go basis
• Virtual Machine: software-based simulation of a physical computer that runs an operating system and applications (software owner creates/configures VM based on needs)
• IaaS Vendor: provides/manages underlying infrastructure (storage, VM, compute power)
• Firewall: helps protect infrastructure from security threats
• Load Balancer: distributes incoming network traffic across multiple virtual machines to ensure efficient resource utilization/availability

Cloud Deployment Models

cloud solutions are deployed in 4 primary ways depending on needs/goals of organization

• public cloud
• private cloud
• hybrid cloud
• multi cloud

Public Cloud (deployment model)

cloud resources (hardware, software, services) are built, owned, operated and maintained by a third-party cloud service provider

• Resources are delivered for public consumption over the Internet and shared by multiple organizations
• Advantages: no maintenance cost, high scalability, reduced complexity, flexible pricing, agile for innovation
• Disadvantages: potential for high total cost ownership, decreased security availability, minimal control

Private Cloud (deployment model)

cloud resources are built/consumed exclusively by the same organization and maintained on a private network

• Physically located on-premises in an organization data center or hosted by a third-party service provider
• Advantages: dedicated/secure, regulation compliant, customizable, high scalability, efficient
• Disadvantages: expensive with high total cost ownership, limiting infrastructure

Hybrid Cloud (deployment model)

cloud resources are consumed/operated in a common way across both clouds, enabling portability of services across the various underlying cloud infrastructures

• Bridges the gap between private and public clouds
• Advantages: policy-driven deployment, high scalability, minimal security risk, workload diversity, improved security
• Disadvantages: potential high total cost ownership, compatibility/integration, added complexity

Multi Cloud (deployment model)

any combination of on/off-premises and public cloud platforms, where cloud resources are spread across several cloud-hosting environments

Data Analysis

Data: individual facts, figures, signals, measurements

• context

Information: organized, structured, categorized, useful, condensed, calculated

• meaning

Knowledge: idea, learning, notion, concept, synthesized, compared, discussed

• insight

Wisdom: understanding, integration, applied, reflected upon, actionable, accumulated, principles, patterns, decision-making process

Managerial Decision-Making

Manager Roles:

• Interpersonal roles, informational roles, decisional roles

Problem Structure:

• highly structured (order entry), semi-structured (loan approval), highly unstructured (determining a new store location)

Nature of Decision

• operational control, management control, strategic planning

The Information Gap

Shortfall between gathering information and using it for decision-making

• Firms have inadequate data warehouses
• Business analysts spend 80% of the time gathering, cleaning, and preparing data for analysis and 20% of what they are paid to do analyzing it and making a decision
• Business Intelligence seeks to bridge the information gap
• Invert the paradigm (20% prepare data and 80% analyze data)

Business Intelligence Applications

Multidimensional Analysis
Data Mining
Decision Support Systems

Examples: Customer analytics, human capital productivity analysis, business productivity analytics, sales channel analytics, supply chain analytics, behavior analytics

BI - Multidimensional Analysis

Online Analytical Processing (OLAP)

• "slicing and dicing" data stored in a dimensional format, drilling down in greater detail and aggregating data

BI - Data Mining

• Computational Process: discovering patterns in large data sets involving methods at the intersection of AI, machine learning, statistics, and database systems
• Examine: large databases to produce new information
• Uses statistical methods and AI to analyze data
• Finds hidden features of the data that were not yet known

BI - Decision Support Systems

• Models and data in an attempt to solve semi-structured/unstructured problems
• Ex: sensitive analysis, what-if analysis, goal-seeking analysis

Data for Decision-Making

• Raw data collected manually or by instruments
• Quality is critical and determines usefulness
• Often neglected or casually handled
• Problems exposed when data is summarized
• Typical Problems
• Data are not correct
• Data are not timely
• Better Quality Data
• Accuracy, reliability, validity, timeliness, relevance, completeness

Intelligent Automation

Taking a machine taught to do simple repetitive tasks and teaching it to adapt and correct its performance based on changing conditions (incredible speed and scale)

Ex: engage customers and empower employees with digital assistance, optimize operations through human-centered automation

Machine Learning

• Artificial intelligence systems that learn from data
• Machine learning algorithms build a mathematical model based on sample data (training data)
• Make predictions/decisions without being explicitly programmed to do so
• Traditional Programming: data/program → computer → output
• ML: data/output → computer → program

Machine Learning Applications

• Optical Character Recognition: printed, handwritten characters are recognized automatically based on previous examples
• Face Recognition: identify faces in images (neural networks)
• Sentiment Analysis: identify, extract, quantify, and study affective states and subjective information
• Topic Identification: categorize news articles as to whether they are about politics, sports, entertainment, and so on
• Fraud Detection: identify credit card transactions that may be fraudulent
• Customer Segmentation: identify which customers may respond positively to a particular promotion

Predictive Modeling

• Any industry: predict whether your next hire (an employee or supply chain partner) is going to be a top performer
• Energy & Utilities: predict the likelihood for equipment to break and identify the optimal time for preventative maintenance
• Manufacturing: predict assembly line quality problems
• Consumer Retail: predict and prevent out-of-stock conditions and improve the visibility of SKU-level inventory across the channels
• Financial Services: predict fraudulent insurance claims
• Implementation Steps:
• Prepare data → analyze data → model → assess performance → interpret results

Artificial Intelligence

Human intelligence by machines to perform tasks that typically require human cognition

• Ex: reasoning, learning, problem solving, perception, language understanding

Low-Code & No-Code (Microsoft Lobe)

• Automatically selects the right AI architecture for your project
• Image classification: label image based on content
• Object Detection: locate an object within image
• Data Classification: label data based on content
• AI Model Build: collect via camera, train your model, play the model

Solves: skill gap in AI development, time-consuming, const barriers, coding,