Transcript Advantages of ICT over Manual Methods of Processing Data

ADVANTAGES OF ICT OVER
MANUAL METHODS OF
PROCESSING DATA
Introduction
•Computer systems now perform many of the
routine activities when processing transactions
such as orders, purchases, payments etc.
•The main advantages of ICT of manual methods
are:
•Speed of processing;
•Data storage capacity;
•Accuracy;
•Ability to produce different output formats;
•Improved security of data and processes.
Repetitive Processing – carrying out the same task to the
same standard repeatedly(consistently)
Processors are so fast that there are not many tasks
that challenge them. Computers are highly effective in
repeating the same process over and over with just a
few small changes. The speed of processing is essential
when dealing with various applications such as billing
systems for producing phone bills and bank
statements.
Examples of how fast repetitive processing can help
users:
•Mail merging a document;
•Sending the same email to a number of people;
•Replicating a formula down a spreadsheet.
Speed of Processing
•Speed of processing depends on:
•The speed of the processor;
•The speed of the communications if the process is being
performed online;
•The speed at which the data arrives – how fast do the input
devices capture data.
•The faster the data can be processed then the faster
the results or output is produced.
•Example: All staff are paid at the end of the month
so the hours they have worked will all need to be
processed at relatively the same time.
Data Storage Capacity – millions of records can now be
stored on small hard discs
•Because the cost of storing has become much
cheaper over the years, businesses are now
storing a lot more data than they used to.
•The more data they hold and process the more
meaningful information they can gather.
•Example: Tesco Club Card
Speed of Searching
•Manual searching for information can take ages.
Computer based searches are extremely fast
and it is easy to create search conditions that
will enable only very specific information to be
extracted.
Accuracy – calculations are carried out accurately
•Humans make mistakes but computers, when
they have been correctly programmed, do not.
This means that the accuracy of computer based
systems is much higher than is possible with
manual systems.
Speed of Data Communications – messages sent
out across the world instantaneously
•Most people who have internet connection have
a broadband connection which means they have
fast access to information.
•Most companies use networks and email, as
manual methods are too slow.
•Example: Promising the delivery of goods within
24 hours.
The Ability to Produce Different Output
Formats
•Arranging information to make it as easy to
understand as possible is one thing computers
are good at.
•Complex numerical data can be presented as:
•Text
•Tables
•Graphs
•Pictures
•This is a big advantage of ICT
The Ability to Search and Combine Data in Many
Different Ways that Would Otherwise be Impossible
•Modern databases enable huge stores of data to
be searched using complex search conditions.
Sometimes only part of the data is known.
•Example: Police searching for cars.
Improved Security of Data and Processes
There are many reasons why the security of data
and processes are improved by the use of ICT
systems:
•Data is easily backed up – with an ICT system
back can be done quickly and automatically.
•Fewer mistakes are made during processes –
lack of human involvement means fewer
mistakes are made.
•Better security of data – data is protected by
passwords. Also you can vary permission levels.
In-Class Question
A large utility company sends electricity bills to
all of its customers. These bills are sent out over a
couple of days every three months.
Describe three capabilities of an ICT system
which make it ideal for the processing of data
needed to produce electricity bills. (6 marks)
In-Class Question
A newspaper article has stated that one of the
capabilities of ICT systems is that there is
improved security of data and processes.
Give two reasons why the data in ICT systems is
more likely to be secure compared to a manual
system. (4 marks)