SULE LAMIDO UNIVERSITY KAFIN HAUSA

FACULTY OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

CSC 429: COMPUTER INSTALLATON AND MANAGEMENT

ASSIGNTMENT

TOPIC: EXPLAIN IN DETAILS THE COMMOM ROLES OF COMPUTER

CENTERS

BY

NAME: ISAH ZAKAR

REG. NO. : NAS/20/CSC/1029

DEPARTMENT: COMPUTER SCIENCE

LEVEL: 400
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Various Names of Computer Center............................................................................................3
2.0 Types of Computer Center............................................................................................................4
2.1 Centralized DP...............................................................................................................................4
2.2 Decentralized DP...........................................................................................................................5
3.0 Common Roles of Computer Centers..........................................................................................5
4.0 Conclusion......................................................................................................................................6
5.0 References......................................................................................................................................6
 COMPUTER CENTER
1.0 Introduction
The Computer Center is a service unit that utilizes computing resources to provide diverse
computer services to the general public. It is an institution which contains one or more
computers being operated upon by specialized set of people. A computer center is a data
processing center where various data are being processed and turned to reliable information.

Every organization has an objective of setting up a computer center, this is to ascertain the extent
of relevance of the computer center to an organization. The organization must put in place a
good detail planning and layout of how the computer department should be. The manager must
give detail planning to productive running, equipment selection, types of programs to be used,
sitting arrangement and employment of qualified staff.

1.1 Various Names of Computer Center

Normally, all computer centers are responsible for virtually similar tasks in all organizations;
however, their focuses may not be the same. Using a certain name would identify its focused
responsibilities, and the following are examples of such naming convention.

• Data Processing Centre: To provide business data (Sales, Deposit/Withdrawal, Airline

Ticketing, Student Registration, etc.) and produce summary report or other business
documents.

• MIS Centre: To provide information for managers and executives for making timely and
quality decisions (usually continuing the work of data processing).

• Data Centre: To provide data for use by all departments (e.g. centre to provide criminal
records, population records, etc.)

• Office Automation and Internet Centre: To provide services to all departments with
office automation and communication system.
• Computing Service Centre (or Computer Centre or IT Service Centre): Basically, to
provide services of all types related to business data processing, business applications, and
maintenance services to all departments in the organization.

2.0 Types of Computer Center

The nature of data being processed and level of computerization determined the type of computer
center an organization will operate.

Basically, there are two types of computer center, via:

 Centralized data processing (DP) center.

 Decentralized data processing center.

2.1 Centralized DP

Centralized computing is computing done at a central location, using terminals that are attached
to a central computer. The computer itself may control all the peripherals directly (if they are
physically connected to the central computer), or they may be attached via a terminal server.
alternatively, if the terminals have the capability, they may be able to connect to the central
computer over the network. The terminals may be text terminals or thin clients, for example.

At this center, all the data under processing must pass through the central location. All the
facilities and staffs are concentrated in a place. There is a complete standardization at this center.
Besides, the center ensures efficient utilization of the system throughout the day (24 hours
service).

It offers greater security over decentralized systems because all of the processing is controlled in
a central location. In addition, if one terminal breaks down, the user can simply go to another
terminal and log in again, and all of their files will still be accessible. Depending on the system,
they may even be able to resume their session from the point they were at before, as if nothing
had happened.
2.2 Decentralized DP

Decentralized computing is a trend in modern day business environments. This is the opposite of
centralized computing, which was prevalent during the early days of computers.

Decentralized computing is the allocation of resources, both hardware and software, to each
individual workstation, or office location. In contrast, centralized computing exists when the
majority of functions are carried out, or obtained from a remote centralized location.

Unlike the centralized center, each location has its own data processing equipment’s and staffs.
The system can operate independently but may be linked to bigger systems for enhanced
operations i.e. the center can operate on their own but may be affiliated to larger systems for
enhanced performance. The method used here is otherwise called distributed data processing.

3.0 Common Roles of Computer Centers

 To provide computer-related services to personnel and customers

 To provide advice and consultancy for users

 To provide systems development services to users

 To provide data entry services for user

 To create and maintain IT standards and procedures

 To provide IT acquisition services to users

 To keep and protect IT and data assets

 To ensure that the organization has adequate/advanced IT progress, which is in line with

the organization s vision.

 To ensure that services provided are meeting with users requirements.

4.0 Conclusion
The Computer Centre is a service unit that utilizes computing resources to provide diverse
computer services to the general public. The two types of computer center are: centralized
computer center and decentralized computer center.

5.0 References
 Flippo E. B. (1980). Personnel Management. McGraw Hill
 Joslin E.O. (1968). Computer Selection. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.
 Ravindranath B. (1993). Computer Centre Management. Smt. Mamta Gupta for Classic
Publishing House