IT: Categories, Advantages, and Disadvantages of Computers Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of computer categories, advantages, and disadvantages, particularly within the context of business operations. It begins by categorizing various types of computers, including supercomputers, mainframes, servers, and personal computers (desktops, notebooks, laptops, palmtops, PDAs, and handheld devices), highlighting their specific functionalities and applications within organizations like Dell. The report then delves into the advantages of computers, such as increased accessibility, cost-effectiveness, speed, efficiency, and enhanced research and development capabilities, and how these factors contribute to improved productivity and management. Furthermore, it discusses the benefits of computers in enhancing communication, collaboration, decision-making, planning, and human resource management. Conversely, the report acknowledges the disadvantages of computer usage, including potential health risks, distractions, increased stress, computer crimes, and privacy violations, and examines their negative effects on productivity and management. Overall, the report offers a balanced perspective on the role of computers in the modern business environment, emphasizing both their transformative potential and the challenges they present.

Information Technology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
a. Categories of computers.....................................................................................................3
Advantages and disadvantages of computers.........................................................................5
a) Advantages of computers and how it enhances productivity of organisation....................5
b) Advantages of computer and how it enhances management in organisation ....................6
c) Disadvantages of computers and their effect on productivity of organisation...................7
d) Disadvantages of computers and their effect on management in organisation..................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Computer is an electronic device whose primary function is to assist human in
complicated problems. In other words it is a machine that solve complex problems more
efficiently and faster. Fundamentally, functions of computer include input, output, processing
and storage of data. These functions are performed with the help of software programs or
hardware components (Aral, Dellarocas and Godes, 2013). Dell, a multinational brand that
provide computer related products and services. It has been operating its business worldwide and
has used every segment of computer technology. In this report functions and categories of
computers are going to be discussed. Further various categories of computers and how they help
organisation in their operations. Lastly, advantages of computer and how it enhance productivity
of company. Along with disadvantages of computers and its negative impact upon management
and productivity.

a. Categories of computers
Due to advancement in technology computers are evolving day by day. Earlier they were
huge in size that can fit into rooms but now they are transform in handheld devices. Dell has
evolved its business unit by practising flexibility. It is moving with time by changing company's
operation as per technology existing in market. Following are various categories of computers
that are used by enterprise to handle their processes:
1. Super computers:As name suggests these devices are huge in size with large computing
power. They are typically used to perform large mathematical calculations or for
scientific functions such as weather forecasting, molecular research, simulations etc.
These applications give expensive monetary value to supercomputers. Dell is using
CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) as research
application for implementing artificial intelligence in business.
2. Mainframes: This category of computer are slightly less in their processing in
comparison to supercomputer (Holtshouse, 2013). Generally, financial and insurance
companies use mainframes to process large transactions because they require special
processing units. Dell is uses mainframes to support powerful operating systems while
handle multiple users simultaneously.
3. Servers: With creation of internet, networking took hike in its path. Every sector or
individual is connected to one another with the help of network. This gave rise to need of
centralised processing unit known as servers. Servers are applications that reside on a
computer. Their purpose is to response and fulfil request of client. Servers in Dell are
used as a centralised device through which every system is connected and can access
various services of organisation. These services can be email, printing, storing and
retrieving documents.
4. Personal computers:As per its name, personal computers are devices that are used and
accessed by individual at their own desks. They provide application such as spreadsheet,
power-point presentation, gaming, audio-video player, etc. They are relatively small in
size and inexpensive (Kellermann and Jones, 2013). Dell uses personal computers to
access applications such as word processing, database management. Following are the
types of personal computers:

 Desktop: These devices are designed to get fit on desk. They consist of a monitor which
act as interacting device between user and computer. Along with a processing unit and
other peripheral devices. Notebook:These devices are light-weighted and small in size to get fit in a briefcase.
They have memory capacity, CPU and flat-panel screens. For power support they come
up with batteries that need recharging in regular intervals. Laptop:These devices are designed for portability. They are small enough to get reside on
one's lap. They again come up with battery to support power need in device. Laptop
computers are now outstanding in their performances and are used by every other
individual. Palmtop: These devices are designed to get fit in palms or hands of user. Application of
palmtop is limited in comparison to desktop computers. They do not include memory
storage. They are also called pocket devices, PDAs and handheld devices. They are
preferred by users because of their portability feature (Khan and et. al., 2012). PDA: Personal Digital Assistance or PDA are again a type of handheld devices that
include features such as fax, computing and networking. They perform basic functions of
computers and assist an individual with accessing capabilities. Some PDAs include
advance features such as voice and handwriting recognition.
5. Handheld devices:By introduction of handheld devices, revolution came in information
technology. These devices are compact in size that they can easily fit into pocket. Main
feature of handheld devices is it provide mobility to the user i.e. person can easily carry
device form one place to another. They are convenient, easier to use and inexpensive.
Smartphone is an example of handheld devices. Dell has incorporated handheld devices
in its business to enhance their operations. Employee can use them to fill forms, manage
documents, track inventory, manage customer service, etc. These activities help business
to acquire its target in reasonable cost.
Above discussed categories of computers are distinguished on the basis of their
performance, memory management, accessibility and configuration. These categories have their
own purpose in business (Prajogo and Olhager, 2012). They not only maintain integrity and
confidentiality of company's data but also provide convenience and accessibility to employees.
There are various features of computers and they are designed accordingly. These features assist

business unit in performing all management functions such as transaction management in
finance, personnel management in human resources and digital marketing in sales.
Advantages and disadvantages of computers
Computers are advance machine that process information using its CPU (Central
Processing Unit) and provide user with effective solutions. There are certain advantages and
disadvantages of this device. Following are few advantages of computers in context of Dell:
a) Advantages of computers and how it enhances productivity of organisation
Considering all the positive impact of computers there are various advantages to it. These
advantages can help organisation in enhancing their productivity because of following reasons: More accessiblility: One of the greatest benefits of computer is that it equips an
employees to share information and data with other employee located anywhere in the
world irrespective of time and distance (Sutton and McCallum, 2012).
 Cost effective: Computer enable company to do all manual work fast, efficiently and with
accuracy. Thus it requires fewer human resources making it cost effective for
organization (Sarkis, Koo and Watson, 2013). Also, by making use of network and
various other software company it becomes self sufficient in doing outsourced tasks. Cost
on various purchasing machinery like fax, Xerox machines, typewriters are also
eliminated. This contributes in making it cost effective for company. Speed: Computers makes it easy for mangers to maintain record related to available raw
material, its quality & quantity which helps in reducing any hindrance in production
process and thus enable company to operate much faster and to enhance its productivity. Efficiency: Computer enable an organization to inspect, track & schedule assets. It also
helps in storing necessary work history and information etc. All these beforehand tasks
helps in maintaining the efficiency in productivity of an organization.
 Research and development: Computer with its network facility help company to carry out
its Research & development work more efficiently and easily. It can reach much larger
target audience in comparatively less time and less cost than the physical survey methods.
In addition customer also provide genuine feedbacks which is less time consuming easy
and cheap method for them. This can influence productivity by improvising new tools
and techniques.

b) Advantages of computer and how it enhances management in organisation Communication: Computer allow organizations to maintain communication between all
its level of management. Sharing of data and information anywhere anytime helps
managers to take speedy and timely decisions such as to circulate memo in every
department. Dell utilises this factor to cut down cost of physical travel by facilitating
video conferencing (Sutton and McCallum, 2012). Collaboration: Computer have enable organization to be self reliant in tasks like
complying soft copies of all necessary documents, filing tax from online tax portals,
maintaining accounts etc. which previously company had to outsource. Also, it provide
environment where management team can plan, execute and manage workflow. Decision making: On daily basis huge amount of data is generated in company. This data
helps to store, retrieve and analyse all these aspects to take effective decision making.
Dell uses ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems to manage and control business
process. Market analysis, sales reports, customer's feedback are some important decisions
that are taken by management with the help of computers. Planning: Systematic planning is important for companies to have long-run in business.
It also helps in gaining competitive advantage to business. Dell is a multinational brand
with huge business all over world. Therefore, it is important for company to palnn
various activities such as human resource development, budget allocation, sales and
marketing, research and development, etc. (Tsohou and et. al., 2015). All these activities
are efficiently performed using computers and help management to achieve their
designed targets.
 HRIS (Human Resource Information System): Computers are very helpful when its
comes to hire, selection and interview of new employees. Various online job portals helps
company to seek talented prospective individuals. Through computers a company trains,
monitors and maintains performance of each employees working with it. Managers can
also use various employee scheduling software that are available online to dedicate work
to each employee and to compare actual & desired performance level of them. Besides
through Management Information System company to maintain database of each and
every employee which is useful in taking decisions on performance management,
compensation and benefits, staffing and lay off (Venkatesh, Thong and Xu, 2012).

c) Disadvantages of computers and their effect on productivity of organisation
Apart from unlimited advantages, there exists some disadvantages too. It impacts
negatively on business, society and individual. Following are few disadvantages of computers
that company can face:- Increases health risk of employees: Continuous use of computers cause injuries on hands
of users, wrists, elbows and back on employees. It creates pain in bodies like headache,
back pain etc. Since a computer requires a lot of attention and repetitive movement for a
long period. Due to this, employee may feel many problems like itching, watery or
sometime eyes becomes reddish. Thus affecting productivity. Distraction: Though there are certain benefits of computers but in recent studies it is
shown that constant phone calls, emails, messages create disturbance in work
environment. This causes low productivity as employee has to take some time again in
order to get back to track. Social utility: Apart from work related disturbance there are various other distraction too
that can affect productivity of business. Employee can get indulge in various other
application of computers such as gaming, social-media, chatting, etc. This create
hindrance in their ongoing job and they can loose interest in work.
 Increases stress: Innovation of computers have created a new segment of learning.
Adapting new skills and programs create stress on workers. Increasing use of network in
workplace creates 24*7 availability of user employee. Because of this demand for
instance response increases which can causes stressful situations for workers.
d) Disadvantages of computers and their effect on management in organisation Computer crimes: Malicious people use computers in negative way. They are like
hackers who illegally access private data of a person stored in organisation's server for
their own use. It brings cyber crimes rapidly. These crimes include cyber crime, industrial
espionage, identity and intellectual property theft etc. Privacy violation: Computers are mainly use to store information and data of user which
brings the potential of privacy loss. It includes risk that personal information may get into
wrong hands. They access or theft confidential data such as credit card, bank account
information etc. from company's database. Hence, creating problem for management
team.

 Affect personnel management: Accessing computers much, makes a user anti-social. It
creates addiction in people as they get obsessed with this technology easily. Today, on of
the feature of computers is internet which has provided many online games, social
networking sites like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. Much use of these application
makes employee isolate in nature which is again a problem for management. It is because
team work is required for accomplishing task which an isolated employee will fail to
deliver. Hence, creating less competent workforce for management (Waser, 2012).
 Viruses and Malware: Computers possess capabilities of sharing files, information and
data from anywhere throughout the regions. It provides fast and convenient means for the
same. But company need to be aware of consequences of it. As sometimes, it brings
corrupted and virus files into a system which may destroy whole operating system.
Management can face loss of confidential data also. Effective measures must be used by
company to minimize virus and malware attacks such as implementation of firewall, anti-
virus, etc.
CONCLUSION
From above report it is summarised that computer assist employees in business to
perform job more efficiently. It has enhanced their productivity by introducing new methods of
operations than practices that were used in past. Dell aims at delivering optimum business
solution by using technology in each every management function. Computer devices maintain
security, integrity, confidentiality and reliability of data that is crucial for business production.
Computer fulfil their major purpose which is to have effective method for complex problems that
occur frequently in any organisation. Usage of these devices have enormous benefits. There are
certain limits that are to be maintained. Over exploitation of computer may cause negative
impact on organisation as well as individual. Therefore effective balance is to be maintained so
that maximum utilisation of resources can be made that will help in enhancing productivity of
organisation.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Aral, S., Dellarocas, C. and Godes, D., 2013. Introduction to the special issue—social media and
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Holtshouse, D. K., 2013. Information technology for knowledge management. Springer Science
& Business Media.
Kellermann, A. L. and Jones, S. S., 2013. What it will take to achieve the as-yet-unfulfilled
promises of health information technology.Health affairs.32(1). pp.63-68.
Khan, M.and et. al., 2012. Barriers to the introduction of ICT into education in developing
countries: The example of Bangladesh. Online Submission.5(2). pp.61-80.
Prajogo, D. and Olhager, J., 2012. Supply chain integration and performance: The effects of
long-term relationships, information technology and sharing, and logistics integration.
International Journal of Production Economics.135(1). pp.514-522.
Sarkis, J., Koo, C. and Watson, R. T., 2013. Green information systems & technologies–this
generation and beyond: Introduction to the special issue. Information Systems Frontiers
.15(5). pp.695-704.
Sutton, C. and McCallum, A., 2012. An introduction to conditional random fields. Foundations
and Trends® in Machine Learning.4(4). pp.267-373.
Tsohou, A. and et. al.,2015. Managing the introduction of information security awareness
programmes in organisations. European Journal of Information Systems.24(1). pp.38-
58.
Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. and Xu, X., 2012. Consumer acceptance and use of information
technology: extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. MIS
quarterly, pp.157-178.
Waser, R. ed., 2012. Nanoelectronics and information technology. John Wiley & Sons.