Week 2 Assignment

Sanjay Adhikari

University of the Cumberlands

Operational Excellence

(ITS-631-M41)

Dr. Scott Mensch

05/21/2023
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Section 1

1. Write your description of what the term information systems hardware means.

The physical devices that can be touched such as computers, laptops, mobile phones, tablets,

CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse and storage devices.

2. What is the impact of Moore's Law on the various hardware components described in this

chapter?

The number of transistors per silicon chip doubles every day in that device keeps on developing

with new features from time to time. Looking at mobile phones, each year new phones are

developed more advanced from the current ones thus making it harder for people to buy phones

currently as they expect new and advanced phones in the nearby future.

3. Write a summary of one of the items linked to in the "Integrated Computing" section.

One of the items that are linked to integrated computing is the hard disk. It consists of one or

more rotating magnetic platters coated with a magnetic material, mounted on a spindle within an

enclosure. The data is written and read using a read/write head that moves across the spinning

platters. Hard disks offer high storage capacities, ranging from a few gigabytes to multiple

terabytes, and provide relatively fast data access speeds. They are widely used for storing

operating systems, software applications, files, and other digital content.

4. Explain why the personal computer is now considered a commodity.

Because of many differences between them and computers and its prices. One can also move

with it from one point to another without any inconvenience as they are portable due to their

small size compared to computers.

5. The CPU can also be thought of as the of the computer.

Brain

6. List the following in increasing order (slowest to fastest): megahertz, kilohertz, and

gigahertz.

Kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz

7. What is the bus of a computer?

This is the electrical connection between two or more computer components.

8. Name two differences between RAM and a hard disk.

Accessing data on RAM is faster compared to hard disk.

Ram is volatile while the hard disk is non-volatile.

9. What are the advantages of solid-state drives over hard disks?

Solid-state drives (SSD) are faster compared to hard disks. SSD has long longevity than hard

disks, SSD absorbs more G force than hard disks and lastly, SSD uses less power compared to

hard disks.

10. How heavy was the first commercially successful portable computer?

28 pounds.
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Exercise 2

Review the timeline of computers at the Old Computers website. Pick one computer from

the listing and write a summary. Include the specifications for CPU, memory, and screen

size. Now find the specifications of a computer being offered for sale today and compare.

Did Moore's Law hold true?

One computer listed on the website is the Commodore 64, released in 1982. This iconic

machine featured an 8-bit MOS Technology 6510 CPU running at 1.023 MHz. It had 64

kilobytes (KB) of RAM and supported graphics with a resolution of 320x200 pixels. The

Commodore 64 gained immense popularity and is considered one of the best-selling home

computers of all time.

Comparing the Commodore 64 to a computer being offered for sale today, let's consider a

modern laptop like the Dell XPS 15. This high-performance laptop typically features an Intel

Core i7 or i9 processor, with multiple cores running at speeds ranging from 2.6 GHz to 5.0 GHz.

It boasts 16 GB to 32 GB of RAM, providing significantly more memory capacity. The screen

size of the Dell XPS 15 is typically 15.6 inches, with a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels. When

comparing these two computers, it becomes evident that Moore's Law holds true.
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Section 2

Note why the IT organizational structure is an important concept to understand. Also, note

the role of IT in the overall business strategy.

The IT organizational structure is a crucial concept to understand because it determines

how information technology resources and functions are organized within a company. It defines

the hierarchy, roles, responsibilities, and reporting relationships of IT professionals and teams.

Understanding the IT organizational structure is important for several reasons.

It promotes effective communication and collaboration within the IT department. A well-

defined structure helps employees understand their roles and responsibilities, ensuring that tasks

are properly allocated and executed. It clarifies reporting lines, facilitates decision-making

processes, and minimizes conflicts and duplication of efforts (Hunter, 2015). A clear structure

also enables better coordination with other departments, enhancing cross-functional teamwork

and synergy.

The IT organizational structure affects the efficiency and effectiveness of IT operations.

By defining roles and responsibilities, it helps streamline workflows, improves accountability,

and increases productivity. It enables organizations to align IT resources with business objectives

and strategic initiatives. Additionally, a well-designed structure supports specialization and

expertise development, allowing IT professionals to focus on their core competencies and deliver

high-quality services.

The IT organizational structure plays a vital role in driving innovation and agility. It

enables organizations to adapt to technological advancements, changing market conditions, and

evolving customer needs. An adaptable structure promotes flexibility, allowing companies to

quickly respond to emerging opportunities and challenges (López-Cabarcos et al., 2015). It

facilitates the integration of new technologies, fosters a culture of innovation, and encourages

collaboration between IT and other business functions.

Regarding the role of IT in the overall business strategy, it has become increasingly

critical in today's digital age. IT is no longer just a support function; it has transformed into a

strategic enabler for organizations. IT has the potential to drive revenue growth, enhance

operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and create competitive advantages.

IT can contribute to business strategy by enabling digital transformation initiatives, such

as implementing new technologies, optimizing business processes, and leveraging data analytics

for informed decision-making. IT also plays a crucial role in cybersecurity, ensuring the

protection of sensitive information and mitigating risks.

IT enables better customer engagement and experiences through the development of

digital products and services, personalized marketing strategies, and efficient customer

relationship management systems. It supports supply chain management, inventory control, and

logistics optimization, leading to cost savings and improved operational performance.

References

Hunter, S. D. (2015). Combining theoretical perspectives on the organizational structure-

performance relationship. Journal of Organization Design, 4(2), 24-37.

López-Cabarcos, M. Á., Göttling-Oliveira-Monteiro, S., & Vázquez-Rodríguez, P. (2015).

Organizational capabilities and profitability: The mediating role of business strategy.

Sage Open, 5(4), 2158244015616852.