Information Handling Strategies

Information Handling Strategies

Jonathan Bray

University of Phoenix

Computers and Information Processing

CIS 319

James Dearman

January 22, 2008

Information Handling Strategies

There are many issues to look at and considering when one begins to discuss and analyze the handling of digital information in the work place. Several areas this paper will discuss are controlling the accuracy of data input, the convenience and quality of the output, different types of storage devices, and the role of various components in relationship to the effective speed of the computer.

First, handling data input is extremely important. The data that is provided by the user must be input into the computer system accurately. The ideal method of this type of input would be to have it entered directly and automatically by the end user into the system. A Scantron system is one way of having printed questionnaires entered, for example. The individual providing the answers fills out a form that is a series of bubbles and the system interprets their responses appropriately. Telephone surveys can be entered by the press of corresponding telephone keys in response to certain questions. Bank check information can be entered by way of a magnetic image character recognition (MICR) system that reads the magnetic information placed at the bottom of the check that includes bank, branch, and account information. Retailers use bar codes to handle items in their inventory, and long documents can be transferred to digital information by scanning them and using a system called OCR (optical character recognition).

Second, generating the output of various types of data needs to be considered as well. Hand held computers display their output using a monitor. Whereas, a color photograph is more convenient for sharing at a dinner party if it has been printed on a color printer.

Although one could use many devices to print out a resume, a laser printer will generate a very nice looking, crisp document. Memorandums are frequently circulated through the office by way of email. Statistical and company annual reports can be projected during a business meeting with a projector