There are so many fields in which computers are used some of these areas are as follows
A. Financial systems B. Accounting system C. Banking systems D. Sales and marketing E. Retail system F. Reservation of epos terminal G. Education system H. Communication system I. Industrial system J. Scientific and research systems K. Scientific and research systems L. Library systems M. Entertaining and multimedia systems L. Transport systems M. Law enforcement systems N. Computers in agriculture N. Human resource system O. Communication system
A. Financial systems • In financial systems computers enables organization to manage their financial • The financial institutions include: 1. Accounting systems
B. Accounting systems • Accounting systems are popular in business management • Computers in accounting systems are used to enter customer’s order and billing sup systems records for generating customers’ orders • For keeping of the items in stock and help in management of items reorder • Computers also help in hook keeping and produce reports in data being processing.
Business accounting activities
Here are the six accounting business;
1. Customer order and billing orders and delivery.
2. Inventory management – for keeping track of items in stock and to know items to be reordered 3. General ledger accounting – for summarizing the financial transactions. 4. Accounts receivable for keeping track of record owned by each other such as taxes 5. Accounting payable – keep track of record business owes others such as taxes 6. Cash book – for recording daily cash transaction in the business
C. Banking systems • The banking industry is one of the earliest customers of information and communication technology. • The computers in banking services perform the following tasks. 1. Process customer transactions • Computers in bank are used for easy carrying out financial transactions such as
• Customers deposits • Withdrawing money through ATM machines • Calculating interest on savings and loans • Creating reports for each customer account 2. Cheque clearing and processing • Computerized cheques clearing and processing is made possible due to special characters on printed using ink containing magnetic particles • Cheques are processing using magnetic ink character reader which enters all details on a computer of processing. 3. Electroning funds transfer (eft) • EFT is the movement of money between different accounts using a computerized system • EFT transfer funds from the payers account by crediting the payee’s account electronically in the same or different bank. 4. Internet banking • It enables bank users to access their bank accounts through the internet. • Bank customers can query, account statement, pay bills and transfer fund electronically • Internet banking is also known as e – banking 5. Mobile banking • It is the process where account holder in different banking system performs transaction using mobile phones. 6. Payroll processing systems • Computers in pay roll systems are used to process accurate information about employee incomes including gross pay, deductions and the net pay. • Payroll systems are designed to produce reports that can be analyzed to meet specific organizational information needs such as pay slips and reports that shows a breakdown of payroll expenses against production and income.
D. Sales and marketing • Without proper marketing a business cannot survive in a competitive environment • Computers in sales and marketing are being used in a number of ways to promote sales and marketing. Computers in sales are used in the following areas 1. Electronic commerce or e-business 2. Electronic presentation 3. Advertising
E. Retail systems
Computers are becoming more popular in retail stores as :
• Supermarkets • Distribution outlets. • Computers are used in stores for stock control and transaction handling. • Shops owners processing data to be ordered and reordered • Most retail transaction are handled using and electronic point – sale (EPOS) • EPOS is a computer terminal used in retail stores to input and output data. • EPOS terminal has all the normal facilities of cash register, direct data capture devices such as bar reader, card reader, a monitor and a receipt printer. • Transaction at the point of sale terminal my involve the following steps; o The bar code leader is passed over the items bar code to generate the item number. o Using the number, the computer searches for the item with corresponding number in the product file. o Once record is found its description and price is used for processing sales.
1. Correct price are used at the checkout counter.
2. They are fast because the attendant does not have to enter details manually.
F. Reservation of epos terminal
Computer in reservation systems are used mainly to make bookings in areas such as
• Airlines • Hotels • Car rental and theaters • Bookings are made from a remote terminal connected to a centralized computer Known as server. • To access a server a client makes enquires via the remote terminal referred to as client computer or using mobile phone
G. Education systems
Most educational institutions uses computers for administrative task such as :
• Compiling examinational reports
• Writing memos • For accounting purposes. • Computers are also playing an increasingly important role in educational institutions in the following ways
1. Computers aided tutorials , where by computers act as teachers through electronic
2. Problems solving through the use of electronic programs for mathematical and other science researches. 3. E-learning is where by people pasue different courses through the internet electronic. H. Communication systems • Communication refers to the distribution of data information from one person to another. • Effective and efficient data communication is achieved by use of high – speed electronic devices such as computers.
• Examples of communication systems are:
1. The internet • It facilitates the transfer of communication from one location to another location services available on the internet transfer; • World wide web (www) • Electronic mail (e-mail) 2. Facsimile (fax) • Facsimile in short ( fax) machine is a telecommunication device used to send documents via telecommunication channel. • A document is placed in the machine, scanned and converted into analogue from then transmitted over a telephone line. • The receiving fax machine converts the analogue data into the original softcopy and prints a hardcopy. • To send fax over the internet a special MODEM, called fax MODEM is required and is being attached to the sending and receiving computers. 3. Video conferencing
• Video conferencing refers to the use of computers, a digital video cameras, audio capturing devices and communication networks to enable people in different location to see and talk to each other. • Each participant’s computer is attached with web camera (webcam) speakers and a microphones and appropriate communications software. • Video conferencing is popular in TV broadcasting stations where field reporters interact with new casters. 4. Telecommuting • Telecommuting it is the term used to refer to a situation where an employee work usually at home using computer connected to the workplace network. • Telecommuting has reduced unnecessary travel to the work place and also reduced travel expenses as well as less due to commuting inconveniences such as traffic jams.
I. Industrial systems • The application of computers technology in industrial or manufacturing process has become one of the most effective methods of automated production which has improved the productivity. • Computers are used in some of the following industrial plants; • Motor vehicle manufactures • Mining plants • Chemical plants • Refineries • Computers in industries are used in a number of ways of which some includes • Process control • Industrial simulation
• A computer has a wide variety of applications in science, research and technology some of which are; 1. Weather forecasting – through the use of geographical information systems (GIS) 2. Medical research 3. Military and space exploration science 4. Social researches.
K. Library systems • Library use computerized system for a number of task such as; • Lending system : the library lending system manages the issuance and return of borrowed reading materials. • Inventory; it involves use of computer to manage stock, which includes checking for books currently in stock and those on high demand. • Cataloguing system; it is a collection of cards with information about each book reference found in the library.
L. Entertaining and multimedia systems
• The advancement in multimedia technology has produced computers that can be used in recreation and entertainment. • The term multimedia refers to text, video and sound multimedia computers are computers that not only processes text but can also process video and sound. • Multimedia computers should have the following elements. 1. A high resolution monitor ( screen) 2. A sound card that processes sound • Multimedia computers can be used in the following areas;
1. Games 2. Music and video • Multimedia computers are used in recording synthesizing, editing and adding special effects to music. • In video industry computers are used to produce highly simulated and animated movies, general scenes and actors.
O. Transport systems • Computers are also highly used in transport systems in the following areas; 1. Road traffic control 2. Air traffic control – through the use of geographical position system (GPS) 3. Shipping control whereby computers are used to guide the paths or direction taken by spaceships and water vessels as they travel to distant land geographical position systems (GPS) is also used.
P. Law enforcement systems
• Crime has become more sophisticated hence very difficult to deal with • Immediate and accurate information is very crucial detection. • Computers in law enforcement are used for biometric analysis • Biometric analysis refers to the process or study, measurement and analysis of human biological characteristic such as fingerprints, skin colour, retina of the eye and voice. • Barometric devices are attached to the computers to perform its tasks in identifying people by recognizing one or more specific attributes such as fingerprints like iris colour.
Q. Computers in agriculture • In agriculture computers are used for;
1. Agriculture – for improving resistance of crops 2. Agribusiness – for marketing product. 3. Agricultural administration – for record keeping.
R. Human resource system
• Human resource information systems (HRIS) have become a new way of processing all aspects of human resource management and some of them are; ➢ Recruitment ➢ Placement ➢ Monitoring ➢ Monitoring and appraisal ➢ Leave management ➢ Payment processing
Implications of using computers
The use of ICT offers a different set of opportunities and challenge in our society. Some of the effects of ICT in our society are;
1. Legal issues 2. Economic issues 3. Environmental issues 4. Effect on employment 5. Effects on automated production 6. Issues of workers health 7. Ethical issues
• The internet and remote communications means that exchange of information is no longer paper based/face but electronic between remote individuals. But fraud and validity is taking a Centre stage. • Government has to pass new registration to support electronic communications e.g. a mobile SMS and e-mail need to be recognized as legal documents. 2. Economic issues
The use of computers provides both benefits and challenge economically
Benefits
➢ More efficiency means better utilization of resources.
➢ Accountability and transparency in economic planning and management will enhance development. ➢ Individuals can transfer money and do e-commerce hence enhancing economic development.
Challenges
➢ Electronic fraud i.e scam money laundering
➢ The needs to enforce security ➢ ICT equipment are expensive to buy, install and maintain.
3. Environmental issues ➢ Emission of heart into the environment and other forms of electromagnetic radiations. ➢ Cadmium oxide found in mobile phone and laptop batteries could leak into underground water if proper disposal is not done ➢ Emission of greenhouse gases during manufacture of ICT components
Electromagnetic emission – low emission ICT device has to be used.
Energy consumption and radiation – the environment protection agency ( EPA) launched energy star policy to encourage minimal use of power by electronic devices
Environmental pollution – IT components have contributed to environment pollution
because of huge garbage damps of dead computer parts, printers, ink, toner cartridges and monitors.\
4. Effects on employment • Computers at work place has resulted in creation of new jobs replacement of computer illiterate workers and displacement of jobs that were formerly manual.
5. Automated production • Number of manufacturing industries such as vehicle assembly, oil refineries and food processing use computers.
Advantages of using automated production
➢ It has increased efficiency due to balancing of workload and production.
➢ It has improved customer services. Adequate and high quality goods are produced ➢ Efficiency utilization of resources such as raw materials, personnel and equipment hence less expense incurred.
Disadvantages of automated production
➢ High initial cost of setting up an automated system. E.g the cost of one industrial robot is high than employing a human resource. ➢ Automated production may lead to unemployment in areas that are labour intensive one person can do the work of twenty people.
• eye strain and headaches, • electromagnetic emissions and • environmental issues.
7. Ethical issues • Ethical in the society is both an informal and formal process of placing values on actions, classifying them as either good or bad, • computer has changed the way people used to communicate, work and relate. • This has resulted to ethical dilemma due to the use of internet, social network and mobile phones.
Disadvantages of computing ethics
➢ It has promoted corruption and fraud in offices.
➢ It has increased
Cultural effects
• Most of moral intergrity has been compromised through some networking
platforms such as - Hacking - Eavesdropping - Piracy • This is due to the exposure to websites on the internet
- Safeguarding your computers requires protecting your hardware against
damage or theft, protecting computer systems against malware and protecting valuable data from being accessed by unauthorized personnel or stolen by disgruntled staff.
Ways of safeguarding computers
- The following are some of ways for safeguarding of computers
i. Use of firewall - Set up between an internal computer network and the Internet. - Filter out unwanted intrusions ii. Content filtering ; - Exclude or deny the access to some web pages on the internet
iii. Use of passwords
- used to authenticate a user to access a system. - Good password must be combination of letters, numbers and characters( avoid the obvious)
iv. Use of up to date anti-virus
- To protect computer and data against infection by viruses
Physical security is the protection of personnel, hardware, software, networks and data from physical actions and events that could cause serious loss or damage to an enterprise, agency or institution.
Logical Security consists of software safeguards for an organization’s systems,
including user
- identification and password access,
- authenticating, - access rights and - authority levels.
These measures are to ensure that only authorized users are able to perform actions or access information in a network or a workstation.
References
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2001). Malawi senior secondary teaching syllabus for computer studies forms 1-2. MIE: Domasi.
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2001). Malawi senior secondary teaching syllabus for computer studies forms 3-4. MIE: Domasi.
Nasalangwa Andrew, (2014) Excel and succeed Junior secondary computer studies form 1, Nirobi, Kenya.
Langat, J Musonye, D Wanjohi, A (2006). Foundation computer studies student’s book
for form 2. Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
Langat, J Musonye, D Wanjohi, A (2006). Foundation computer studies student’s book
Mulli, D Ochieng’, D Ndegwa, J, Kioko, J (2010). Log on computer studies for senior secondary volume 1. Nairobi: Kenyatta Literature Bureau.
Mulli, D. Ochieng’, D Ndegwa, J, Kioko, J (2010). Log on Computer studies for senior secondary volume 2. Nairobi: Kenyatta Literature Bureau.
Musonye, D Wanjohi, A (2005). Foundation computer studies student’s book for form 1. Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
Musonye, D Wanjohi, A (2005). Foundation computer studies student’s book for form 4. Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation.
Stephen, M (2010). Get started computing windows 7 edition. London: Hodder Education. Stephen, M (2010). Get started excel windows 7 edition. London: Hodder Education.
