An Introduction to Information Systems - Principles of Information Systems - page 12

Figure 1.6

People

The Components of a
Computer-Based Information
System.

Hardware

Software

Telecommunications

Procedures

Databases

Hardware
Hardware consists of computer equipment used to perform input, processing, and output
activities. 10 Input devices include keyboards, mice and other pointing devices, automatic
scanning devices, and equipment that can read magnetic ink characters. 11 Investment firms
often use voice-response technology to allow customers to access their balances and other
information with spoken commands. Processing devices include computer chips that contain
the central processing unit and main memory. 12 Advances in chip design allow faster speeds,
less power consumption, and larger storage capacity. 13 Processor speed is also important.
Today's more advanced processor chips have the power of 1990s-era supercomputers that
occupied a room measuring 10 feet by 40 feet. 14 A large IBM computer used by U.S. Liver-
more National Laboratories to analyze nuclear explosions might be the fastest in the world
(up to 596 teraflops—596 trillion operations per second). The super fast computer, called
Blue Gene, costs about $40 million. Computer imagery companies such as Mental Images
of Germany and Pixar of the United States also need high processor speeds to produce award-
winning images. Image technology is used to help design cars, such as the sleek shapes of
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Small, inexpensive computers are also becoming popular. The One
Laptop Per Child (OLPC) computer, for example, costs under $200. The Classmate PC by
Intel will cost about $300 and includes some educational software. 15 Both computers are
intended for regions of the world that can't afford traditional personal computers.
The many types of output devices include printers and computer screens. Another type
of output device is printer kiosks, which are located in some shopping malls. After inserting
a disc or memory card from a computer or camera, you can print photos and some documents.
Many special-purpose hardware devices have also been developed. Computerized event data
recorders (EDRs) are now being placed
into vehicles. Like an airplane's black
box, EDRs record vehicle speed, possible
engine problems, driver performance, and
more. The technology is being used to
document and monitor vehicle operation,
determine the cause of accidents, and in-
vestigate whether truck drivers are taking
required breaks. In one case, an EDR was
used to help convict a driver of vehicular
homicide.

hardware
Computer equipment used to per-
form input, processing, and output
activities.

Hardware consists of computer
equipment used to perform input,
processing, and output activities.
The trend in the computer industry
is to produce smaller, faster, and
more mobile hardware.
(Source: © Alberto Pomares/
iStockphoto.com.)