Dell Computers

Facts About Dell

- Founded in 1984 by Michael Dell.

- Headquarters located in Round Rock, Texas.

- Dell is #2 worldwide in PC market share.

- 37,000 employees.

- A leader in supplying PC's to business

customers, government agencies, educational

institutions and consumers.

Dell’s Business Strategy

By selling personal computer systems directly to customers, Dell can best understand their needs, and efficiently provide the most effective computing solutions to meet those needs.

Direct Business Model

Dell offers an in-person relationship with corporate and institutional customers in addition to telephone and Internet purchasing; customized computer systems; on-line and technical support; and next-day, on-site product service.

Direct Business Model

Dell is enhancing and broadening the fundamental competitive advantage of the direct business model by increasingly applying the efficiencies of the Internet to its entire business.

Direct Business Model

• Dell arranges for system installation and management.• Guides customers through technology transitions.• Designs and customizes products and services to the requirements of organizations and individuals.• Sells an extensive selection of peripheral hardware and computing software.

Internet Significance

Dell led commercial migration to the Internet, launching www.dell.com in 1994, adding e-commerce in 1996.

The site accounts for about 50% of Dell's revenue, and receives 40 million visits per quarter at 78 country specific web sites.

Dell.com

At dell.com customers may review, configure, and price systems within Dell's entire product line.

Orders may be both placed online and tracked through the distribution process.

Why Dell Succeeds

Product Price Performance: Dell offers its customers powerful richly configured systems at competitive prices.

Customization: Dell systems are built to order, customers get exactly what they ordered.

Reliability: Dell uses knowledge gained from direct customer contact before and after sales to provide customer satisfaction..

Shareholder Value

Since Dell went public its stock has

appreciated 50,000%.

Worldwide Business

Dell Manufactures its systems in:

-Austin, Tx

-Nashville, Tenn

-Eldorado do Sol, Brazil

-Limerick, Ireland

-Penang, Malaysia

-Xiamen, China

Future Objectives

- Move greater volumes of product sales.

- Improve and expand service and support

through use of the Internet.

- Use of the Internet to improve the efficiency

of the procurement process.

- Expand to Latin America and India.

Possible Exam Questions

1. What major benefits has Dell realized through the

use of the direct business model?

2. How significant is the Internet to its past

performance and future plans?

Chapter 5

Managerial Overview:

Computer Software

Chapter ObjectivesChapter Objectives

1. Understand the major types of software and be able to provide examples of application and system software.

2. Understand the benefits of microcomputer software packages for end user productivity and collaboration computing.

3. Understand the functions of an operating system.

4. Describe the main uses of high-level, fourth-generation, object- oriented, and web-oriented languages.

5. Understand the logic of the major trends in computer software.

Computer Software

Things one needs to understand:

• The role of software.• What we want software to tell a computer to do.• The different categories of software.• Why there are multiple programming languages.• Examples of programming languages.• Challenges related to programming.• Sources of software.

Software Tells a Computer To:

1. Read input data from source documents or secondary storage.

2. Process the data.

3. Display the results.

4. Print the results.

5. Store the results.

6. Transmit the results.

7. Protect itself and the data.

8. Keep track of things that it is doing to restart if necessary.

9. Count things to reflect performance.

10. Do multiple things at the same time.

11. Do things that make it easier for the user to use the computer .

Overview of Computer Software

G en era l P u rp oseA p p lica tion P rog ram s

A p p lica tion -S p ec ificP rog ram s

A p p lica tion S o ftw are

S ys tem M an ag em en tP rog ram s

S ys tem D eve lop m en tP rog ram s

S ys tem S oftw are

C om p u te r S o ftw are

Application Software Types

Application-specific: Support specific application of end users in business and other fields.

General-purpose: Programs that perform common information processing jobs for end users.

General Purpose Software

Software Suites: (e.g. Microsoft Office)

• Widely used productivity packages.

• Cost a lot less than the total cost of buying

individual packages separately.

• Programs use a similar graphical user interface.

General Purpose SoftwarePackages include:

Web Browsers

Database Managers

Electronic Mail

Word Processing

Electronic Spreadsheets

Presentation Graphics

Groupware

Multimedia

Operating System

Most important system software: (The foundation for

everything else) An integrated system of programs that

manages the operation of the CPU, controls input and

output devices, storage resources and the processing

activities of a computer system.

Primary benefit of an operating system: Maximize the

productivity of a computer system and minimize the

need for human intervention.

Other System Management Software

Database Management Systems: Controls the

development, use, and maintenance of database

systems of the computer using organization.

Network Management Programs: Used to monitor, measure and manage the organization’s network.

System Software

System Development Software: assists users in the

development of information system programs and

procedures through the use of programming language

translators and editors, and other programming and

systems development tools.

Programming Languages

1. General purpose and specifically oriented

programming languages.

2. A continual trend to make programming easier and

useable for a broader range of people.

3. Additional information regarding programming in

a later presentation.

Possible Exam Questions

• What are the major categories of software and how are they both similar and different?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of integrated packages?

Computer Software

The detailed instructions that control

the operation of a computer system.

• Provide tools to people.• Intermediary between people and data.• Manage the computer resources.• Selecting appropriate software for an

enterprise is a key management decision.

Information Systems Software

Some Management Challenges:

1. Increasing complexity and potential software

errors.

2. The application backlog.

3. Proliferation of desktop software in user

departments versus organizational standards.

Software Terms

• Program

• Stored Program

• Programming Languages

• Compilation or Interpretive Language

• Source Code

• Object Code

Multiprogramming - executing two or more programs

concurrently using the same computer.

Multiprocessing - executing two or more instructions

simultaneously in a single computer by using multiple central

processing units.

Time Sharing - sharing of computer resources by many users

simultaneously.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) - part of the operating

system that uses graphic icons to issue commands and make

selections.

Operating SystemA program that acts as an intermediary between a

user of a computer and the computer hardware.

Exist because they are reasonable ways to solve the

problem of creating a usable computer.

The basis for standardization.

The vendor that owns the operating system has

significant power and even control within

the industry.

Operating Systems

Are Operating Systems all the same?

• Features and functions.

• Advantages and benefits.

Operating Systems

• DOS

• Windows

• NT

• UNIX

• Linux

• AIX

• OS/2

• Mac OS

• IBM MVS, VM

• VMS

Word ProcessingWord Processing

Storage,Retrieval, and

Formatting

Storage,Retrieval, and

Formatting

Create andEdit

Documents

Create andEdit

Documents

Add, Change,Delete, orMove Text

Add, Change,Delete, orMove Text

Import Textfrom OtherDocuments

Import Textfrom OtherDocuments

Spell andGrammarChecking

Spell andGrammarChecking

KeyAspects

ofElectronic

Word Processing

Multimedia TechnologiesMultimedia Technologies

KeyTechnologies

ofMultimedia

Video CaptureCard

Video CaptureCard

AuthoringLanguage

AuthoringLanguage

StoryboardStoryboard Compact DiskInteractive

Compact DiskInteractive

Sound BoardSound Board CompressedAudio

CompressedAudio

Digital VideoInteractive

Digital VideoInteractive

MIDIMIDI Computer Edit System

Computer Edit System

InteractiveVideo

InteractiveVideo Digital AudioDigital Audio

Groupware

• Collaborative Software

• PC to PC links through LANs as a logical extension of common interests, activities and data use.

• The culture of the organization definitely influences the success of a groupware approach.

• Groupware can be implemented via the Internet.

Discussion Groups

Discussion Groups

Surf the NetSurf the Net

Launch Information

Searches

Launch Information

Searches

E-MailE-MailMultimedia

FileTransfer

Multimedia File

Transfer

Typical uses of a WebBrowser in Internet,

Intranet, and Extranet Environments

Web BrowsersWeb Browsers

Database Management Packages

Database Management Packages

DatabaseDevelopment

DatabaseMaintenance

DatabaseInterrogation

ApplicationDevelopment

Primary Tasks ofDatabase Management

Packages

Primary Tasks ofDatabase Management

Packages

Major Internet SoftwareThe Internet just celebrated its 30th birthday. Why didn’t you really know about it or even hear about it until around 1994?

World Wide Web (WWW)

Browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator

Search Engines: Yahoo, Excite, Alta Vista, Ask Jeeves, Hotbot, Northern Lights, Dogpile and about 1,500 others.

Trends in Computer SoftwareTrends in Computer Software

FirstGeneration

FirstGeneration

SecondGeneration

SecondGeneration

ThirdGeneration

ThirdGeneration

FourthGeneration

FourthGeneration

FifthGeneration

FifthGeneration

User-Written ProgramsMachine Language

Packaged ProgramsSymbolic Languages

Operating SystemsHigh-Level Languages

DBMS Fourth- Generation LanguagesMicrocomputer Packages

Natural & Object-Oriented

LanguagesMultipurpose

Graphic- Interface Network-enabled Expert-Assisted

Packages

Trend: Toward Easy-to-Use Multipurpose Network-Enabled ApplicationPackages for Productivity and Collaboration

Trend: Toward Visual or Conversational Programming Languages andTools

The Joys (and Woes) of Programming

Programming

Why is there no programming in this course?

How many of you have taken a programming course?

Computer Programming

Think of a computer as a robot.

What do you want it to do?

Important to Remember

A computer isn’t smart enough to make a mistake--without our help.

Computers only do what they are instructed to do by instructions via a program.

Categories of Programming LanguagesCategories of Programming Languages

Machine Languages: Use Binary Coded Instructions

Assembler Languages: Use Symbolic Coded Instructions

High-Level Languages: Use Brief Statements or Arithmetic Notation

Fourth-Generation Languages:

Object-Oriented Languages: Use Combinations of Objects

Use Natural and Nonprocedural Statements

Program Compilation

Source Code

Compiler Program

C CobolFortran

Object Code

Data

Computer Compilation

Computer ProcessingResults

Computer Programming

There are over two thousand known computer programming languages.

Which flavor do you like?

Computer Programming Languages

ABC Ada Basic, Visual BETA C C++ Elisp Cecil COBOL Dylan (OODL) Eclipse Eiffel (OO) Elf

Erlang Forth FORTRAN Haskell JavaLisp OccamOz PasqualPerl Postscript Prolog

Python

REXX

SGML

Sisal

TCL/TK

TeX

VHDL

WEB

(cweb,

fweb)

Z

Worth Remembering

Programming is both a science and an art.

The science part is that there are rules (syntax) that must be adhered to for a specific language.

The art is that there are clever, innovative, even creative ways to do a program to accomplish a specific task.

The Joys of Programming

1. The satisfaction from making something that works.

2. The pleasure of making things that are useful to others.

3. The fascination of fashioning complex, puzzle-like

objects of interlocking moving parts and watching

them work to accomplish things.

4. The fun of always learning from the non-repetitive

nature of the task.

5. Working in a medium that is only slightly removed

from pure thought levels.

The Woes of Programming1. A program must perform perfectly. If one character of

the incantation is not in proper form, it doesn’t work.

2. Designing grand concepts can be fun; finding nitty

little bugs is just plain work.

3. Testing drags on and on, the last difficult bugs taking

more time to find than the first.

4. The program over which one has labored so long

appears to be obsolete upon (or before) completion.

5. The technology base on which one builds is always

advancing so your work can become obsolete in terms

of its concepts.

Software Development Rule of Thumb

• 1/3 of the schedule for design.

• 1/6 for coding.

• 1/4 for component testing.

• 1/4 for system testing.

Brook’s Law - Mythical Man-Month

Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later.

The man-month is a fallacious and dangerous myth for it implies that men and machines are interchangeable.

The Mythical Man-Month

• Why has this book that was originally published in 1975

and republished in 1995 persisted?

• Why after twenty-five years does it still seen relevant to

current day software practices?

• Have software development disciplines not changed during

the space of twenty-five years?

• Is is because it is only incidentally about software but

primarily about how people in teams produce things?

Possible Exam Questions

1. Why are there so many different programming

languages?

2. What three factors are important in a large

software development project?

HTML and Java

Objectives

1. What are HTML and JAVA?

2. What makes HTML and JAVA different from other

programming languages?

3. Why are they important?

4. What’s so great about HTML and JAVA?

HTML and Java Similarities

1. Both are relatively new programming languages

although the forerunner of HTML has been around for

some time.

2. Both are tools for building multimedia Web pages,

Web sites, and Web-based applications.

What is HTML?

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML):

A page description language that creates

hypertext or hypermedia documents.

HTML Enablers1. HTML inserts control codes within a document at points

you can specify that create links(hyperlinks) to other parts

of the document or to other documents anywhere on the

World Wide Web.

2. HTML embeds control codes in the ASCII text of a

document that designates titles, headings, graphics, and

multimedia components, as well as hyperlinks within the

document.

HTML Displayed in Browser

HTML to Web PageHTML source code:

What is Java?

An object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems.

Things you should know in using Java:

- Applets

- Object-Oriented Programming

Java

• Created by Sun Microsystems in l995

• Object-oriented programming (OOP) language.– Programming model in which data and functions are encapsulated

into objects.• Other examples include C++, Objective C, and Microsoft’s Visual

Basic

– Fundamentally different than procedural languages in which data and functions are not necessarily linked.

• Java is an interpreted language.– Allows Java applications and applets to run on many platforms

with little or no modification.

Java - An Interpreted LanguageJava Source Code

1010101010101010101010

Java bytecode

Virtual Machine Virtual Machine Virtual Machine

Compile

Wintel PC Macintosh Unix, PalmPilot, Wireless, etc.

Execute Application

What’s so great about Java?Major computer industry players are backing Sun’s Java

Company Why they back Java

Apple Computer A lifeboat for the Macintosh: Java applets will run as well on aMac as a PC, making Apple relevant again.

IBM Three words: cross-platform capability. All its computers willfinally speak the same tongue. IBM will sell applets too.

Oracle Systems A true believer: Java will power its network computer,allowing mere mortals to tap into its database software.

Netscape Communications Without Java, maybe yesterday’s news. With Java, Netscapemoves past browsers into a new realm: business applications.

Microsoft Smiling through clenched teeth: Its Web browser must keep upwith Netscape’s – and that means using Java.

More Features

HTML: There are programs which can help you design web pages without formal HTML programming. (Ex. WEB Wizard)

Java: There are programs that translate and execute Java programs. Because Java is an interpreted language, it must be written through code as yet.

Java is simpler and secure than most programming languages.

Good HTML Reference Book

Elizabeth Castro’s book: HTML for the World Wide Web. $17.95 (or less) at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.com.

There are also a number of fairly good HTML primers that are free over the Internet.

Two Possible Exam Questions:

1. Why are HTML and Java relevant in today’s business world?

2. Why is Java so successful and what are the benefits of

Java?

Software Development

1. Make it yourself.

2. Buy it from a software vendor.

Software Vendors

30,000 Software Vendors Worldwide

Frequently in and out of business.

Software Industry

US Worldwide

Systems Software $9.7 B $23.9 B

Application Software $23.9B $34.5 B

$33.6 B $58.4 B

Microsoft, Inc.

Mission

Create software for the personal

computer that empowers and

enriches people in the workplace,

at school and at home

Goals

• Make products easier and more effective for customers to use.

• Develop simpler interfaces, natural language processing, and voice control to help hide the underlying complexity from users.

Corporate Profile• Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen• Its mission has been to create software for the personal

computer that empowers and enriches people in the workplace, at school, and at home.

• Until this past year Microsoft was considered the most valuable corporation in the world based on stock capitalization value.

• Its strength is based on its control of the desktop architecture and the related market share of PC software.

• Has frequently gained improved products and capabilities through acquisitions.

• Develops and markets multiple products and services.

Microsoft: Living Values• There are two key aspects to Microsoft’s past and future

success: “Its vision of technology and the values by which we live, every day, as a company.”

• These values are:– Customers

– Innovation

– Partners

– Integrity

– People

– Diversity

– Entrepreneurial Culture

– Community

Microsoft Products

Everyone knows about Windows, Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer but there is an increasingly broader range of software products and/or services.

Its online efforts include the MSN network of Internetproducts and services; e-commerce platforms; and alliances with companies involved with broadband access and various forms of digital interactivity.

Products• Operating systems for personal computers and

networks.

• Server applications for client/server environments.

• Business and consumer productivity applications.

• Interactive media programs.

Microsoft Products

Microsoft also licenses consumer software programs; sells

PC input devices; trains and certifies system integrators;

and researches and develops advanced technologies for

future software products.

Revenue Growth

Fiscal Year Ending Net Revenue % Growth Net Income % Growth

6/30/95 $6.08B 29% $1.45B 27%6/30/96 $9.05B 49% $2.20B 51%6/30/97 $11.94B 32% $3.45B 57%6/30/98 $15.26B 28% $4.49B 30%6/30/99 $19.75B 29% $7.79B 73%6/30/00 $22.96B 16% $9.42B 21%

Organization

• Business and Enterprise-Focus on the information technology

• Business productivity-Meeting the needs of the “knowledge worker”

• Developer-Products and services for developer customer

• Operations- Managing business operations and overall business planning

• Sales and Support-Providing products to wide range of customers

• Microsoft Research-Convert problems into tangible solutions

Global Commitment

Already an international company with offices

in more than 50 countries.

Their long-term investment strategy in developing

markets and close working relationships with

developers help them provide leading products for

the global marketplace.

Summary

Microsoft is always striving to produce

innovative products that meet customers’

evolving needs enabling Microsoft to offer

technological advancements that ensure

customers the highest quality software

products available today.

Possible Exam Questions

1. State the primary focus of Microsoft Corporation

within the computer software industry.

2. What primary factors have enabled Microsoft to

become the market leader in PC software?

Operating Systems

Operating SystemA software program that acts as an intermediary

between a user of a computer and the computer

hardware.

Exist because it is a reasonable way to solve the

problem of creating a usable computer by better

managing the computer resources.

The basis for standardization of application software.

Functions of an Operating SystemFunctions of an Operating System

ResourceManagement

ResourceManagement

TaskManagement

TaskManagement

UserInterface

UserInterface

File (Data)Management

File (Data)Management

Utilitiesand OtherFunctions

Utilitiesand OtherFunctions

Managing the accomplishment of tasks

Use of hardware resources

Managing data and program files

Sort, merge, performance, etc.

Operating System Functions• Allocation and Assignment of Jobs (traffic cop)

– Specific assignment of resources.• Scheduling

– Jobs that have been submitted. (priority sequence)– Use of input/output devices.

• Monitoring and Control– Keeps track of each job– Keeps system statistics– Restart/Recovery capabilities

Functions of Operating System• User Interface: Allows communication between end users

and their computer system. command drivenmenu-drivengraphical user interfaces

• Resource Management: Manages the hardware and networking resources of a computer system. (CPU, memory, secondary storage devices, etc.)

• File Management: Controls the creation, deletion, and access of files of data and programs.

• Task Management: Manages the accomplishment of the computing tasks of end users.

• Utilities/Other Functions:

Multiprogramming - executing two or more programs

concurrently using the same computer.

Multiprocessing - executing two or more instructions

simultaneously in a single computer by using multiple central

processing units.

Graphical User Interface (GUI) - part of the operating

system that uses graphic icons to issue commands and make

selections.

Operating System Functions

Virtual Memory

An approach under the control of the operating system that manages the use of primary memory.

What does virtual mean?

Virtual memory is accomplished by rolling the programs being executed between primary memory and secondary storage (disk files) to allow execution of multiple programs that exceed the actual memory capacity of the computer.

Virtual Memory

Order Entry

Production Status

Groupware

Shipping and Receiving

Are all operating systems the same?

• Features and functions.

• Advantages and benefits.

From Personal Computers to Mainframes?

Are all operating systems the same?

• Features and functions.

• Advantages and benefits.

From Personal Computers to Mainframes?

• UNIX

• AIX

• Linux

• OS/2

• Mac OS

• IBM MVS, VM

• VMS

• DOS

• Windows

• NT

Popular Operating Systems

Summary

Operating systems are the foundation of a computer operation.

Operating systems benefits include better resource utilization, better system performance, gains in cost-effectiveness and better overall management of the entire system.

Without operating systems with advanced features and functions, computing would still be in its very early stages.

Possible Exam Questions

1. What is an operating system and what

benefits does it provide to those using a

computer?

2. Explain the concept of virtual memory.

IT Software

• Operating System

• Database Manager

• Communication Services

• User Interface

• Software Development Tools

• Systems Management Services

• Application Software

Types of Computer SoftwareTypes of Computer Software

General-Purpose

ApplicationPrograms

General-Purpose

ApplicationPrograms

Application-Specific

Programs

Application-Specific

Programs

SystemManagement

Programs

SystemManagement

Programs

System Development

Programs

System Development

Programs

ApplicationSoftware

System SoftwareSystem

Software

ComputerSoftware

ComputerSoftware

Performs Information Processing Tasks for End Users

Manages Operations of Computer Systems and Networks

MS Office

Groupware

Integrated Packages

Business, Accounting, Finance, Engineering, SAP, ERP

Operating Systems

Network Management

Database Management

Systems Utilities

Performance and Security

Programming Languages Programming Editor and Tools CASE Packages

Key Terms in Chapter 5Key Terms in Chapter 5AppletApplication SoftwareApplication-Specific ProgramsAssembler LanguageDatabase Management PackageDesktop PublishingElectronic MailElectronic Spreadsheet PackageFile ManagementFourth-Generation LanguageGeneral-Purpose Application ProgramsGraphical User InterfaceGroupwareHigh-Level LanguageHTMLIntegrated PackageJavaLanguage Translator ProgramMachine Language

AppletApplication SoftwareApplication-Specific ProgramsAssembler LanguageDatabase Management PackageDesktop PublishingElectronic MailElectronic Spreadsheet PackageFile ManagementFourth-Generation LanguageGeneral-Purpose Application ProgramsGraphical User InterfaceGroupwareHigh-Level LanguageHTMLIntegrated PackageJavaLanguage Translator ProgramMachine Language

MultitaskingNatural LanguageNetwork Management ProgramsNetwork Operating SystemsNonprocedural LanguageObject-Oriented LanguageOperating SystemPersonal Information ManagerPresentation Graphics PackageProgramming ToolsResource ManagementSoftware SuitesSystem Management ProgramsSystem SoftwareTask ManagementTrends in SoftwareUser InterfaceUtility ProgramsVirtual MemoryWeb BrowserWord Processing Package

MultitaskingNatural LanguageNetwork Management ProgramsNetwork Operating SystemsNonprocedural LanguageObject-Oriented LanguageOperating SystemPersonal Information ManagerPresentation Graphics PackageProgramming ToolsResource ManagementSoftware SuitesSystem Management ProgramsSystem SoftwareTask ManagementTrends in SoftwareUser InterfaceUtility ProgramsVirtual MemoryWeb BrowserWord Processing Package