Computer Applications

Data Processing

               Computer data processing is any process that a computer program does to enter data and summarize, analyses or otherwise convert data into usable information. The process may be automated and run on a computer. It involves recording, analyzing, sorting, summarizing, calculating, disseminating and storing data.

 Using Computers for Information Processing:

• Tasks can be completed faster because computers work at amazing speed.
• Computers can process large amounts of data and generate error-free results, provided that the data is entered correctly.
• Computers can store enormous amounts of data for future use.
• The high reliability of components inside modern computers enables computers to produce consistent results.
• Efficiency and productivity can be raised.
• Running cost becomes lower in the long term.
• Tasks can be completed with little human intervention.
• Overall security can be raised due to less human intervention.
• The management can observe new information and new trends more quickly.
• Customer services can be improved due to more efficiently management and operations. 
•  Computers with communicating capability can share data and information with other computer.

 

Commercials Uses Computers for Many Different Tasks

•  Advertisers-use computers to create the layout their client wants for a certain project
•  Ad Agencies-use computers to present the finished work to their clients and re-touch anything the client may want changed
•  Suppliers-may use computers to make spreadsheets of the items they have sold or are selling
• Media-use computers to distribute their ads whether in newspapers, magazines, or TV stations
• Creating Designs
• Writing Scripts
• Account Management
•  Marketing 
•  Ad Preparation
•  Contacting Clients
•  Graphic Designs
•  Advertising Ads

Office Automation

                   The use of computer systems to execute a variety of office operations, such as word processing, accounting, and e-mail. Office automation almost always implies a network of computers with a variety of available programs.

Computers Used in Industry

 Inventory Tracking

·         Using spreadsheets and/or databases, most businesses utilize some sort of computer-maintained inventory tracking system.

Payroll

·         From printing or depositing paychecks, to applying raises and bonuses, industries have become very reliant on computerized payroll methods.

         

Cash Registers

·         Modern cash registers are often networked computer systems, allowing companies to maintain much more up-to-date and accurate transaction records, as well as real-time inventory tracking.

Websites

·         Most industries have been migrating towards the Internet over the past two decades, resulting in the need for websites that require not only server space, but maintenance and updates as well.

Customer Databases

·         Customer databases are used not just to track order information for clients, but also to chronicle interactions to better serve clients in the future.

 

Computer Applications in Engineering 

* New software for engineering education

* New educational technologies, such as interactive video and multimedia presentations.

* Computer use in laboratories

* Visualization, computer graphics, video, and I/O issues

* Computer-based engineering curricula

* Computer uses in classroom or independent study situations

* Use of commercial and government-owned software in education

* Engineering software development and funding opportunities.

Uses of Computers in Hospitals

Handling Medical Data
Every day hospitals and clinics which are attached to it churn out enormous volumes of data regarding patients, ailments, prescriptions, medications, medical billing details, etc. Such medical records, are nowadays recorded into medical billing software. Such mammoth databases are known as Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR). These databases are operated by a set of computers and servers, and come in handy during medical alerts and emergencies. The concept of EHR is a bit broader than the EMR, as the database is accessible from different clinics and hospitals. Thus, a patient's medical history can be retrieved from any hospital by medical practitioners.

Scanning and Imaging
'Tests' are medical procedures where specified components of the human body are scanned. A test can be as simple as a regular blood test or it can be a complex CT scan. This process is often referred to as a medical imagery. In order to increase the precision of such procedures, computers have been adopted and integrated into the testing equipment. The Ultrasound and the MRI are the best examples where computers have been adopted, in order to make the process faster and precise. Thus medical tests and tools have become more advanced as a result of the use of computers.

Examination and Monitoring
Many systems are underway for the development of medical monitoring which will help humans to properly monitor their own health. In many cases doctors and surgeons also use sophisticated computer aided equipment to treat their patients. Such systems and procedures include, bone scan procedure, prenatal ultrasound imaging, blood glucose monitors, advanced endoscopy which is used during surgery and blood pressure monitors. Basically these medical tests and tools provide significant convenience to medical practitioners. You will find that major laboratory equipment and heart rate monitors have already been computerized in many hospitals. 

Advantages of Computers in Hospitals
There are significant advantages of using computers in hospitals. The importance of computers in hospitals has also increased drastically due to the fact that the procedures have to be speedy to cater to a larger population and the medical services have to be more precise. 

To sum up, the advantages of computers in hospitals can be summarized as follows:

• Precise 'tests' and medical examinations
  
• Faster medical alerts, which are more accurate time-wise
  
• Enhanced data about a patients medical history
  
• Precision in diagnosis
  
• Precision in billing
  
• Automated updating of medical history

Uses of Computers in Education

Higher Education

·         All universities and colleges in the United States are furnished with computer labs. Because many professors require their students to turn in typed documents, it is more convenient to have computer labs on campus for student use.

Faculty Usage

·         Teachers at all levels use computers to administer assignments, keep track of grades or offer online instruction. Many teachers use online resources in their daily lessons.

Online Education

·         There is an entire "sub-industry" of education called "online education." Online education is done primarily through the usage of computers and the Internet where the student does the classwork from home.

Self-Learning

·         In addition to books, video and other materials, self-directed learners often use computers to continue their education outside of, or in addition to, traditional facilities.

Social Networking

·         Popular networking sites like MySpace and Facebook can also be used for educational purposes, as some instructors integrate aspects of those sites into their lessons.

 Computer used in graphics and multimedia

• 2-D and 3-D design
  
• webpage design, video editing
  
• video editing
  
• multimedia design
  
• computer graphics and animation
  
• graphic design
  
• digital photography
  
• commercial photography