NUMBER ONE (a) Client/Server architecture, database technology and networks provide structures which facilitate sharing of corporate data and information. As an information Technology (IT) specialist, outline the major precautions that should be taken into account in the process of sharing data. (6 marks) (b) Describe the relevance of the following to a Decision Support System (DSS): (1) Specialised (2 marks) (ii) Query (2 marks) (iii) Database (2 marks) d) (c) List four application packages that you might consider using on a micro-computer for administrative functions in an organisation. Explain how each of these packages can increase an organisation's efficiency. (8 marks) NUMBER TWO a) Systems walkthroughs are procedures that are commonly used as a means of quality assurance in the information systems development process. NUMBER THREE management Required: i) Describe the composition and the roles of walk through teams. (8 marks) ii) Provide a checklist of items to be examined during the walkthrough. (4 marks) b) Explain what is meant by a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and account for the increased design and implementation of such interfaces. (8 marks) (Total: 20 marks) Write short descriptive notes on the following: a) Electronic Data (5 marks) b) Client/server (5 marks) c) System (5 marks) Electronic (5 marks) point (Total: 20 marks) packages: languages; system of sale CT 20 Interchange computing specification system NUMBER FOUR a) Name six guidelines required for the development of new information systems. (6 marks) b) Explain the meaning of the following terms, bringing out clearly the distinction between the terms in each pair. i) Unit testing and systems testing. marks) ii) Preventive and perfective maintenance marks) iii) Co-processing and parallel processing. marks) iv) Logical and physical design of a system. marks) (2 (Total: 20 marks) (2 (2 (2 c) Explain the contribution that an information resource centre might make towards end-user computing. (6 marks) NUMBER FIVE a) The widespread use of computers in offices have raised major health and safety issues. Describe three major health related problems that may result from intensive computer use and list three products that may be made available to improve the working conditions of personnel using computers. (9 marks) b) Describe any three basic strategies that an organisation can employ to obtain competitive advantage and illustrate the role of Information Technology in each (9 marks) online and case. c) Distinguish (2 marks) between in (8 marks) offline NUMBER SIX Without proper consideration of the behaviour of people in the business organisation setting even the best technically designed system is likely to fail. transactions. Required: a) Analyse the most common reasons that may lead to resistance to the introduction of Management Information Systems and how an organisation can overcome it. (12 marks) (Total: 20 marks) b) "Change is inevitable". Change occurs in many ways and adapting to change is a primary management responsibility. Identify the factors, which bring about change organisation. an to (16 marks) (Total: 20 marks) NUMBER SEVEN The continuing development and improvement of information technology has revolutionised the accountancy functions in most organisations. a) Discuss the benefits and dangers of the increasing use of information technologies the accounting functions in an organisation. b) Identify the major factors that influence the structure of an information system. (4 marks) (Total: 20 marks) NUMBER EIGHT a) What factors should guide a systems designer when designing the user interface for particular a application? (10 marks) b) Currently there has been a general trend to consolidate previously separate data centres into larger centres or the move from classic decentralisation as a proliferation of mini data processing departments into centralised information system providers. Required: Explain the factors influencing re-centralisation of information systems. (10 marks) (Total: 20 marks)