Computerisation in a business like Craven Plc Essay

Plotters A device designed to produce charts, drawings, maps and other forms of graphical information on paper. The images screwing be produced by pens, electro-statically, or ink jets. Storage Methods There ar two contrary forms of storehouse available these are main storage and accompaniment storage. Main Storage This consists of the Hard turn drive (HDD) and the floppy disk drive. These are storage facilities present within the com regulariseing device. Information can be saved onto the HDD ready to be opened at some future date. Application software packages and programmes are also stored on the hard disk.The average PC will have an internal HDD of at to the lowest degree 6Gb. The floppy disk drive is another type of main storage. It uses floppy disks to store information in a similar way to a hard drive. Backing Storage The performance of a computer system can be improved by the addition of more memory. If there is too unforesightful memory then more frequent access to the hard disk is required and this will tardily down the overall system performance. Therefore many computer applications require quick, direct access to exclusive records within a file. For this reason, we need backing storage.Backing storage comes in various forms for example mash disks and floppy disks. Backing storage is a portable and convenient way of saving information. To reduce the risk of exposure of data loss it is wise to save information on the computers hard drive and make a copy onto a disk or another type of backing storage for insurance purposes. Types of backing storage Floppy disks The most common storage device available, these provide extremely cheap storage and have a capacity of 1. 5 Mb. Compact Disk (CD-ROM) These have been apply for some eld as storage devices for computer software.It only accesses information which is already stored on it and is able to store 650 Mb of information. Zip motilitys A storage device that has become popular over the last few years because it offers the convenience and portability of a floppy disk, combined with a 100 Mb capacity. CD-R and CD-RWThe difference universe that CD-R disks can only have data saved to them once, While CD-RW can be used in the same manner as other storage devices having data saved to them on a re-usable basis. DVD (digital versatile disc) using the same basic principles as the CD, DVD packs the data more densely and can store 4.7Gb compared with the CDs 650Mg, can hold 133 minutes of video, with Dolby surround sound. Data pens A pertly storage device that plugs into the computers USP drive. These are grim and compact and have a capacity of 80Mb. magnetized Tape Convenient and cheap medium for backing up hard disks onto computers. Mostly used for mainframe computers for storing information for a long duration. Magnetic tapes will not be suitable for a small company corresponding Craven Plc. Data Protection Craven Plc must comply with the data security measure act in order to hold personal information of customers.The data protection act whole kit in two ways. It gives you certain rights. It also says those who record and use personal information must be open about how the information is used and must follow the eight principles for good handling. The eight principles were put in place to make sure that your information is handled properly. They say that data must be 1. sensibly and lawfully processed. 2. Processed for limited purposes. 3. Adequate, relevant and not excessive. 4. Accurate. 5. Not kept for longer than is necessary. 6. Processed in line with your rights. 7. Secure, and 8.Not transferred to countries without adequate protection. Micro computers Micro computers include personal computers and laptop computers, they are ordinarily equipped with hard disk, floppy disk drive, mingled with 1 and 32 megabytes of memory, a keyboard and a visual display unit unit. Microcomputers will be suitable to fulfil the needs of Craven Plc. Mainf rame Computers These are large systems that can hold vast amounts of data. Mainframe computers occupy a whole floor of a fair size building. These powerful mainframe computers are present in very large companies storing huge amounts of data on to disk.Mainframe computers cost tens of thousands of pounds, therefore they are not suitable for a small business like Craven Plc. File Server This is a specially configured microcomputer to control the exchange of files between network users. A file server also has more memory and disk storage than standard microcomputers. These classifications of computers are usually based on physical size, speed, processing capabilities, memory size, disc storage, capacities and cost. Direct and consecutive Access Direct access devices can go directly to the file or record. For example a CD can go directly to track number 10.Sequential access devices have to reappearance through the file sequentially, for instance, if we want track 10 on a cassette, T he cassette moves from the beginning from track 1 to 9 until it comes to track 10. 4) Proposed purchases and prices of equipment 2x Sony Intel 2. 6GHZ DVD CDRW Laptop 256Mb RAM, 40Gb Hard Drive DVD/CDRW Drive 15 edge TPT screen i 899 each = i 1798 4x Packard Bell 6111 Intel Pentium 42. 8GHZ processor and 15 TFT monitor Intel P4 2. 8 gigacycle processor 512 Mb RAM 160 GHb Hard Drive i 1199 each =i 4796 4x PacKard Bell 5050 and Xp2600+ PC and 17 CRT monitor Athlon Xp 2600 & processor 256Mb RAM.60 Gb hard Drive i 549 each =i 2196 4x Hewlet Packard DJ 9300 A3 Desktop printer i 279 each =i 1116 3x Hewlet Packard electronic scanner i 99 each =i 396 Network- Windows 2000 professional i 3449 Web Designer Approx 3000to4000 Training be i 2000 Specialist soft ware Sage Accounts i 2000 Web Train Video Conferencing i 1000 Total cost i 22751 5) Proposed method of change over from manual to the freshly computerised systems sooner the change over can take place an extensive instruction prog ramme needs to take place. This may take several months to train the current workforce in the correct operating procedures of the new system.To ensure information will not be lost in transition the old manual method needs to be in place for the first 2 months along side the new computerised system. In the unlikely case of system collapse information and data will still be on hand. This change over will inevitably endure a small cost of training and staff development. 6) Procedure to transfer the payroll from the old to the new system Payroll is something Craven Plc cannot cede to get wrong. Therefore manual systems need to be in place for 3-4 months along side the new computerised sage accounts system. This will again ensure against loss of data.