The History Of A Wireless Keyboard

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Wireless Keyboards

A wireless keyboard uses Bluetooth technology to wirelessly transfer user input data. The advantages of a wireless keyboard are that it saves desktop space, greater manoeuvrability and cost saving as there are no cables to be replaced.

Wireless Mouse

A wireless also harnesses Bluetooth technology to wirelessly transfer user input. The advantages of a wireless keyboard are that it saves desktop space, greater manoeuvrability and cost saving as there are no cables to be replaced.

Processing

Network Server

A network server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to other (client) computers over a local network or the Internet (Mitchell, 2013).

Great Guitar will utilise a client/server relationship, meaning that a computer network were one centralised powerful computer (server) acts as a hub to many less powerful personal computers (clients).

In addition a multicore processor server should be used (such as the SPARC64 series from Fujitsu). Multicore processing offers supreme benefits, which can been seen in applications such as Customer Relationship Management, Enterprise Resource Planning, Databases, etc.

Switch

Switches link multiple computers in a local area network.  Switches are capable of inspecting data packets as they are received, then determine the source and destination device of each packet, and forwarding them to the intended target. By delivering messages only to the connected device intended, a network switch conserves network bandwidth and offers good performance.

Wireless Router

Wireless routers form a fundamental part of many networks. The function of a wireless router is to connect computers wirelessly to the internet and to other computers in the network. This provides convenience for quick and easy access by many users.

Digital Modem

According to Shelly and Vermaat (2010: 501) "a digital modem sends and receives data and information to and from a digital line".

Telkom will be the operator of choice as they offer very competitive data packages. A Telkom broadband modem will be utilised for Great Guitar. Telkom broadband offers speeds of up to 40Mpbs, which will increase the business efficiency.

OUTPUTS

Monitors

A monitor is an electronic visual display used to visually communicate the results of processing.

Printer

A printer is a device that enables the user to physically print the results of processing.

Storage

Network attached Storage

According to Schwartz et al (2008: 326) network attached storage is an "economical and hassle free way to provide a lot of storage space and is generally built upon a RAID array for redundancy".

The network server will also function as a storage device for all users. This will allow management to keep up to date with information and follow up on employees. This will also save the company money by providing one large storage point, rather than individual storage hard drives.

SOFTWARE

Operating system

According to Saltzer and Kaashoek (2009: 79) an operating system is "a set of programs and libraries that make it easy for computer users and programmers to do their job".

Great Guitar is in the process of implementing Windows 7, this should remain the operating system of choice for the business as licenses would have already been purchased and there is extensive support from Microsoft for Windows 7.

Also many programmes would have become Windows 7 compliant. These programmes may not all work on Windows 8 as it is fairly new to the market. Windows 7 also focuses on improved productivity through improved usability (Krebs, 2009).

Transaction processing system

Transaction processing systems carries out a number of routine, structured business transactions, most of which involve some form of tedious record keeping, such as paying employees, customer purchases and payments (Morley and Parker, 2009: 507).

Transaction will be processed in real-time and data will be updated as the transactions are entered into the system.

SageNetcash specialises in providing online transaction processing systems for SME’s.

Management information system

According to Bagad (2009: 31) management information need to "meet the general information needs of all managers in the firm". This will assist managers to identify and understand problems.

Clarity MIS software would be ideal for Great Guitar. The software has the ability to generate hundreds of reports from the data within the system.

Decision support system

A decision support system is an information system that supports business decision making activities.

Spotfire Software should be employed as a DSS for Great Guitar. According to Spotfire (Spotfire, 2013):

Spotfire provides a decision support software system for enterprises that lets users visually interact with business intelligence data. Spotfire's front line visual analytics tool lets individuals see information in a wide variety of formats, query it any way they want, and get results immediately. Users can move from top level views to minute detail with a mouse click.

Spotfire’s visual analytical tools will allow managers to ‘see’ their data in new ways, thus enabling better decision making.

Executive support system

Ravindranath (2003: 113) states:

Executive support systems are a subset of the decision support system. While the decision support systems can be used for managerial decisions at all levels, the executive support systems…are mostly used for strategic decision making.

Strategic decisions need to be made by executives in order for the firm to gain competitive advantage.

Innova Software offers an executive information system that consolidates and summarises routine transaction within the firm.  It provides executive management with all the information it requires at all times from internal as well as external sources.

Enterprise resource planning

Bidgoli (2004: 707) defines enterprise resource planning as "an integrated computer based system that mangers internal and external organisation resources". The resources referred to include tangible assets, financial resources, materials, and human resources.

The ERP system offered by SAP boasts a number of fully integrated modules, which covers almost every aspect of business management.

Supply chain management

Lambert (2008:207) states that "supply chain management is the integration of key business processes from end user through original suppliers that provides products, services, and information that add value for customers and other stakeholders".

SAP offers outstanding supply chain management solutions that "will build resiliency and flexibility into your supply network" (SAP, 2013).

Customer relationship management

Jha (2008: 1) defines customer relationship management as a "multifaceted process, mediated by a set of information technologies that focuses on creating two-way exchangers with customers so that firms have an intimate knowledge of their needs, wants, and buying patterns".

Customer relationship management is an efficient approach to sustaining and developing relationships with customers to gain a competitive advantage over competitors.

SAP customer relationship management software assists in reducing costs, improves decision making ability, and helps the company achieve differentiated capabilities (SAP, 2013).

Antivirus

Antivirus software is crucial to a business network system. Ferguson (2006:139) states that "the main purpose of antivirus software is to protect your computer by detecting and eradicating viruses before they have a chance to damage your computer or the data contained within it".

Eset Nod32 Antivirus Business Edition should be used to protect Great Guitars network platform. Eset offers a variety of features and benefits.

DATA AND DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Data and Databases

Data can be defined as information that has been translated into a form that makes it more convenient for processing, storage, or movement.

A database is a collection of data that is organized so that its contents can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.

Data management system

Mike Chapple (Chapple, 2013) states that a "database management system (DBMS) is the software that allows a computer to perform database functions of storing, retrieving, adding, deleting and modifying data".

Cubrid database management software can be considered for use at Great Guitar. Cubrid uses rational model architecture and is a static type system.

NETWORKS AND COMMUNICATION

Network Technology

Great Guitar will utilise a client/server relationship, meaning that a computer network were one centralised powerful computer (server) acts as a hub to many less powerful personal computers (clients).

Communication network

A modem will be used to change back and forth between analogue and digital transmission methods. A Telkom broadband modem will be utilised for Great Guitar. Telkom broadband offers speeds of up to 40Mpbs, which will increase the business efficiency.

Type of network

Great Guitar will utilise a local area network setup.

Miller and Cummins define a local area network as "a collection of devices that are interconnected via a common transportation medium, for the purposes of transferring data".

Some advantages of a local area network are:

Data can be stored on a server thereby sharing information with everyone in the organisation.

Data can be easily backed up.

Security can be established to limit access to some users.

Software and resources can be centrally managed.

Printers and scanners can be shared.

Users can log onto the network from any workstation.

Great Guitar will use a Star Topology for their local area network.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Star_Topology.png

Parsons and Oja (2010: 250) state that "a network arranged as a star topology features a central connection point that links cables or wireless broadcasts to all workstations and peripherals".

A significant advantage of this topology is that any link can fail without disrupting the rest of the network.