ADMS 2511 Chapter : MIS Technology Guide 1.docx

• School: York University
• Department: Administrative Studies
• Course: ADMS 2511
• Professor: Ingrid Splettstoesser

Document Summary

Decisions about hardware focus on three interrelated factors: appropriateness for the task, speed, and cost. Hardware refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output, and storage activities of a computer system. Central processing unit (cpu): manipulates the data and controls the tasks performed by the other components. Primary storage: temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing. (memory) Secondary storage: external to the cpu; stores data and programs for future use. (usb, hard drive, cd rom) Input technologies: accept data and instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand. Output technologies: present data and information in a form people can understand. Communication technologies: provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e. g. , the internet and intranets) to the cpu, and from the cpu to computer networks. In many industries exploiting computer hardware is a key to achieving competitive advantage.