InterContinental Hotels Group Computer System Update - Assignment Example

Computer System Assignment Computer System Assignment A computer system is used as a support in different business environment because all forms of companies activities comprises of various interrelated human activities. This support may be provided through two segments namely information systems and information technology. For instance, the Holiday Inn part of Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG), uses efficiently different computer system in their transaction, inventory control, and hotel management. Question a) Specify the characteristics of the hardware (including performance details such as CPU speed, RAM size, storage capacity, etc.) and software (including functionality details) that the hotel should purchase to satisfy the requirements given above. A computer system is a collection of components namely: Central Processing Unit Memory Input devices Output devices Please see Figure 1. Figure 1: Computer components (Adapted from RDI 2012, 11) From the flow diagram of a computer system comprises of the hardware and software. Hardware Hardware refers to all the parts of the computer that can be seen or touched. This does not mean all the parts of a hardware can easily identify with the exception of computer case, keyboard, and monitor. The characteristics of the hardware should describe the CPU, RAM, case, etc. (RDI 2012, 1). Central Processing Unit The CPU is a square ceramic package inserted in the motherboard including heat sink on top of it. This is important because it processes all the information in the system hence the need to upgrade. The process should be dual core that are manufactured by Intel and AMD (French, 2012). These manufacturers have different designations for their processors depicted by Intel using “Pentium D”, “Core Duo”, and “Core 2 Duo” while AMD using “X2” and “FX-6x” series (Monson, Sewell & Vickers, 2011). The duo core is appropriate for the PCs because data flow rate into the processor is increased, and the command flow out the processor is doubling the processor power. Therefore, any system with Intel dual core will be sufficient for the upgrading (CES, 2014). RAM An improvement in processing speed requires an upgrading of RAM. Motherboard The motherboard is a host to the CPU. The CPU determines the form factor of the motherboard. There are different form factors manufactured by various designers, but all of them fit in standard cases, depending on the structure of the computer system. Therefore, in upgrading the computer system, we have to consider the computer system required. The following are standard components in the motherboards (Miller, 2015): Microprocessor socket - This is designed depending on the CPU required for the particular computer system. Chipset - this consists of two bridges connecting the CPU to other components. The chipset belongs to the systems logic unit. BIOS - this refers to Input/output system and has the form of a chip. Anytime, the computer is switched on the BIOS, carry out the self-check, and the system cannot operate if the BIOS does not perform the self-check. Real time clock chip – Its primary role is fundamental settings and system time. A battery is used to keep the clock chip operational. Memory The memory refers to all the parts used to for data and information storage. The computer system memory is divided into primary memory that is directly accessed from the CPU and the secondary memory that is indirectly accessed by the CPU. They include the following (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2013): Random Access Memory This is volatile memory because it losses the information when the computer is switched off. An upgrade in the processor speed requires an update in the RAM also. It can be located in any slot in the motherboard. The other includes Registers, ROM, PROM and cache memory. Auxiliary storage This is non- volatile memory type, implying that the data and information stored are preserved even if there is abrupt power outage and can be retrieved later when the computer system becomes operational. They include the hard disks, rotating optical devices such as CD-ROM and DVD drives. There are also modern versions that provide flexibility, portability and are cheaper (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). They are namely; USB flash drives Zip drives Flashcards Floppy disks Software It regulates the hardware components ensuring that they met the needs of the user and the business (RDI 2012). Software is divided into two namely; System software that perform a particular function. Some of the system software include; system software assembler, debugger, compiler, interpreter, file management tools and operating system that can further be divided into multitasking, multiprocessing, multi-tasking, multi-threading, real time Application software such as spreadsheet, graphics, and database. Peripherals This refers to the devices that are connected to the computer system and provide additional functions. The peripheral devices used in the computer system include: Cameras Scanners Printers Keyboard and mouse Monitors The Holiday Inn requires a PC that has a software and hardware components (Peterson & Silberschatz, 2014). The OS should be MAC OS 10.6 or Windows 7 or later versions, depending on the current computer system being used. This is because it is real time (providing instant response to an input) and also has multi-user capabilities. The processor should be 2.4 GHz or faster processor speed, but this is guided by the fact current processor speed being used. For, instance, a 2.6GHz processor will be faster than a 1.2GHz processor, but we should not pay more if there will be only a slight increase in clock speed. This because you there won’t be any noticeable difference between a 2.3GHz Core i5 and a 2.5GHz Core i5. RAM capacity should be 4 GB Hard disk size should be 500 GB or more hard drive capacity. CD/DVD RW Drive Application software for Windows up to date and antivirus Microsoft Office 2013 A hotel management software. This software must be able to record transactions, allow bookings and other activities as per the requirements of the hotel. The following are some of the personal computers having the desired specifications: Novatech Life NTI118 [PC-1878] This PC has specifications that are suitable for the computer system upgrade. The following are the specifications: Processor: INTEL CELERON G1840 Harddrive:500GB 3.5" 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive Optical Drives:22x DVD Writer Motherboard: Intel H81 Chipset Keyboard & Mouse: Novatech Wired USB Keyboard Memory: 4GB DDR3 1600Mhz Memory Case: Novatech Micro ATX Case is hence meeting the safety standards. Power Supply: Novatech ATX PSU 350W This is because the power supply is ATX-2 rated meeting the safety requirement It also proves Active heat sink cooling unit. Keyboard & Mouse: Novatech Wired USB Mouse Ports that serve as a communication between the computer and peripherals. The ports are USB, Ethernet, serial, parallel VGA, etc. This personal computer can be purchased online through the following link as shown. Can be bought on http://www.novatech.co.uk/pc/all/ at a price of £ 244.99 Alternatively ACER Aspire XC-605 Desktop PC It has the following specifications; Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-4440 processor Hard drive: 2 TB Motherboard: Intel H81 Chipset Keyboard & Mouse: Acer Wired USB Keyboard Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600Mhz Memory Case: ACER Micro ATX Case is hence meeting the safety standards. Power Supply: ACER ATX PSU 350W This is because the power supply is ATX-2 rated meeting the safety requirement It also proves Active heat sink cooling unit. Keyboard & Mouse: ACER Wired USB Mouse and Keyboard Ports that serve as a communication between the computer and peripherals. The ports are USB, Ethernet, serial, parallel VGA, etc. Windows 8.1 With built-in Wi-Fi This can be purchased on online from PC world using the following link. Can be bought on http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/desktop-pc-monitors/desktop-pcs/desktop-pcs/706_7021_70021_xx_xx/xx-criteria.html at a price of £ 419.99 3. Softwares Office Business and Home 2011 for Mac - PKC Comprises of Powerpoint 2011, Word 2011, Outlook 2011 and Excel 2011. Priced at £ 205.74 All the peripherals can be purchased at http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/desktop-pc-monitors/desktop-pcs/desktop-pcs/706_7021_70021_xx_xx/xx-criteria.html Task 2 Setting Up The Computer System And Installation Tasks After receiving the computer components, one is required to set up the installation environment ready for installation. The health and safety standard should also be considered. 1. Carefully unpack the computer components and check through to ascertain that everything was delivered as ordered. 2. The hardware installation requires a standard procedure as indicated below: 2.1 Screw the motherboard into the motherboard tray and put into the case. 2.2 Firmly insert RAM into the motherboard. 2.3 place the CPU in its socket on the motherboard and cover it with the fan as shown below. 2.4 Insert the video card slowly into the motherboard. 2.4 Slid CD/DVD/ ROM drives into the top of the bay and connected the wires. 3. Connect each computer to power using the power cable and put them on to check whether all the devices were connected properly. To confirm this, the devices light up when you press the start-up button. This connection is shown below. 4. Perform software installation tasks; first you have to install the operating system. If your computer at purchase had already been installed with an operating system, then you do not need to re-install it again. To install Window OS, follow the following procedures: 4.1Determine the installation order. If a Linux OS is to be installed on windows. Then windows should be installed first because it has a strict boot loader. Otherwise, it may not load. 4.2Boot from your installation disc. Insert the installation disc into your optical; drive and reboot your computer. Typically a computer boots from the hard drive first, so you will need to adjust some settings in your BIOS in order to boot from the disc drive. You can enter the BIOS by hitting the designated Setup key during the boot process. This checking ensures that all the installed RAM is detected. The SATA configuration should be AHCI since we are using Windows 7. 4.3Try Linux OS before installing 4.4 The Setup program will then load 4. 5 A product key is then entered 4.6 Installation type is then chosen The installation screen will be as shown below: The following step will then follow. 4.92 Installation of drivers and programs then follows.The process is shown in screenshot below. The drivers will continue installing once the internet is running. 6. Install the Hotel Management system that you purchased and other essential software such as Microsoft Office and restart the computer to finish installation. Perform this on all computers and make sure you use the licenses provided for each and every Installation disk. 7. using the available LAN cables, connect all the computers to the network and configure each to the grid. Alternatively you can also use the WIFI connection. Take a survey to ensure that the devices are working properly. Installing the Printers Since the printers are fewer than the computers, connect them to the LAN or WIFI network so as to enable resource sharing. Install all the printers on each and every computer and configure then to work as appropriately. b) User Guide I. Before you start using your PC ensure that you consider your safety and health implication by sitting in the posture shown below (User Guide) Figure 2: Sitting posture II. Press the Power button on the monitor followed by the on button (A) on the front of your PC as shown in figure 2 below. Figure 3: start up button A III. Select the language by selecting your language option and confirming by a YES click This process may about 30minutes for the first time. IV. Set up the Microsoft window by following the instructions on the screen. V. Double click the Internet Access icon on the desktop if present wait until it displays the Easy internet sign-up window and follow the onscreen instructions. VI. You may also be required to confirm your email when you click on the Microsoft outlook icon on the desktop. VII. You may now use your desktop for all the activities of the company. References PETERSON, J. L., & SILBERSCHATZ, A. (2015). Operating system concepts. Reading, Mass, Addison-Wesley. SILBERSCHATZ, A., & GALVIN, P. B. (2014). Operating system concepts. Reading, Mass, Addison Wesley Longman. SILBERSCHATZ, A., GALVIN, P. B., & GAGNE, G. (2013). Applied operating system concepts. New York, John Wiley. MILLER, D. D. (2015). VAX/VMS: operating system concepts. [Rockport, MA], Digital Press. COMPUTER EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. (2014). Computer studies. Book 2 Book 2. [Reading] 30 Friar St., Reading, Berks. RG1 1JP, International Computers Ltd. MONSON, C., SEWELL, I. R., & VICKERS, F. R. (2011). Computer studies. Reading, ICL Computer Education in Schools. FRENCH, C. S. (2012). Computer studies. London, DP. Read More