Management information technology (it)

1. Today business, government, and other organizations de­pend on computers to process data and to make information available for decision making. A computer is an electronic ma­chine that can accept, store, manipulate, and transmit data in ac­cordance with a set of specific instructions. Although computers are a relatively recent invention, we have already seen five gen­erations of computers. Currently, firms can choose mainframe computers, minicomputers, or microcomputers to match their in­formation needs.

Mainframe computers may be as big as a good-sized room, can handle huge quantities of data, perform a variety of opera­tions on these data in fractions of a second, and provide output information in several different forms. The largest and most powerful mainframe computers are sometimes called supercom­puters. These very large computers are used almost exclusively by universities and government agencies that are involved in re­search activities that require large memories and high-speed pro­cessing.

Minicomputers are smaller (more or less desk-sized) comput­ers that made computers available to most firms.

The microcomputer, sometimes called a personal computer (PC), is a desktop computer. It was made possible by the devel­opment of microprocessor chips, a fraction of an inch in size that contain all the electronic circuitry required to perform large-scale data processing.

2. Computers require software, or programs, which are oper­ating instructions. Today, software has been developed to satisfy almost every business need. Database management programs can store and transform data into information. Data contained in a database program can also be stored. Graphics programs make it possible to display in graph form data and conclusions. Spread­sheets are software packages that allow users to organize data into a grid of rows and columns. Spreadsheets allow managers to answer “what if” questions by changing data to match new as­sumptions. Word processing programs allow users to store docu­ments in the computer's memory or on a disk. Once entered, the material can be revised, edited, deleted, printed, or simply used at a later date. Most experts predict that in the future computers will affect every aspect of human life. Specific trends that will affect business include the increase in available information, the use of automation, and the need for employee that know how to use a computer.

3. A management information technology (MIT) is a means of providing managers with the information they need to perform management functions as effectively as possible.

4. The four functions performed by MIT are collecting data; storing and updating data, processing date and presenting information.

5. With a computer, data can be stored on magnetic tapes and disks and used when they are needed. Data should be updated regularly to maintain their timeliness and accuracy. Updating can be accomplished manually or via computer.

6. Data processing is the MIT function that transforms stored data into a form that is useful for a specific purpose. Large groups of numerical data are usually processed into summary numbers called statistics. Although statistics can provide infor­mation in a manageable form, the user is responsible for correct­ly interpreting statistics.

Finally, the processed data (which can now be called informa­tion) must be presented for use. Verbal information is generally presented in a text form. Numerical information is often dis­played in graphs and charts or tables.

III. Find the English equivalents:

зависеть от компьютеров, обрабатывать данные, делать информацию доступной, в соответствии с, относительно недавнее изобретение, поколение компьютеров, отвечать потребности в информации, хранить огромные количества данных, выполнять множество операций, за доли секунд, исследовательская деятельность, требовать большой памяти, содержать электронную схему, графические программы, отображать данные в графической форме, позволять пользователям, оказывать влияние на, особые тенденции, делать обновление, отвечать за.

IV. Complete the sentences.

1. A computer is an electronic ...

1. Mainframe computers may be …

1. Spreadsheets allow managers …

1. Word processing programs …

1. The four functions performed by MIT …

1. With a computer, data can be stored …

1. Updating can be …

1. Although statistics can provide …

V. Agree or disagree to the following.

1. Today business doesn’t depend on computers.

2. Computers were invented long ago.

3. We have already seen 6 generations of computers.

4. Supercomputers are used by individuals.

5. Minicomputers are available to most firms.

6. Microcomputer is called a personal computer.

7. Microprocessor chips are large in size.

8. Graphics programs make it possible to display in graph form data and conclusions.

9. Future computers will never affect human lives.

10. There are 2 functions performed by MIT.

11. Data can be stored on magnetic tapes and disks.

12. Verbal information is generally presented in graphs and charts or tables.

VI. Arrange 1) and 2) in pairs of synonyms:

1) computer, information, quantity, operation, require, possible, to satisfy, to affect, aspect, regularly, purpose, large, to call, correct.

2) goal, to name, electronic machine, number, to influence, data, available, right, side, constantly, action, to please, big, demand.

VII. Choose the correct answer.

1. Personal computer is called …

1. minicomputer,

1. mainframe computer,

1. microcomputer.

2. Summary numbers are called …

1. tables,

1. documents,

1. statistics.

3. Spreadsheets allow to organize data into a …

1. grid of rows and columns,

1. graphs and charts,

1. instructions.

4. Updating can be accomplished …

1. manually,

1. via computer,

1. via TV.

5. Super large computers are used by …

1. small firms,

1. individuals,

1. universities and government agencies.

VIII. Match the beginning of the word with its ending.

1. govern-	1. –computer
2. micro-		2. –tion
3. mini-		3. –ment
4. soft-		4. –dating
5. data-		5. –processor
6. spread-		6. –tics
7. automa-		7. –ware
8. up-		8. –ful
9. statis-		9. –sheets
10. power-		10.–base

IX. . Answer the questions.

1. What is a computer?

1. How many generations of computers are there? Name them.

1. Who uses mainframe computers? Why?

1. Why are minicomputers available to most firms?

1. What is a microprocessor chip?

1. What do computers require?

1. What for do we need graphics programs?

1. What are the functions performed by MIT?

1. How can updating be accomplished?

1. What is called statistics?

Lesson XIV

I. Read and translate the following international words without using a dictionary:

human, resource, planning, activity, organization, general, firm, personnel, to motivate, effectively, motivation, aspect, candidate, position, to recruit, process, resume, interview, information, factual, personal, history, to identify, qualification, type, technique, person, reason, orientation, program, positive, negative.

II. Remember the following words:

acquisition – приобретение

maintenance – удержание, сохранение

to enhance – повышать

position – должность

reference – лицо, дающее рекомендацию; поручитель

employment application – заявление о приеме на работу

applicant – претендент

to submit – представить

scruting – внимательное рассмотрение

to familiarize – ознакомить

to verify – удостоверять

feedback – обратная связь

to eliminate – ликвидировать

weakness – зд. недостаток