| (a) |
Describe three objective associated
with the design of system output. |
[6] |
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One mark should be
awarded for each valid point and a further mark should be awarded for each satisfactory
elaboration (up to a maximum of six marks). Examples include the following:
- Design output to serve its intended purpose (1 mark). All
output should be functional : if it is not required, then it should not be displayed (1
mark).
- Design output to fit the user (1 mark). It is difficult to
personalise output when dealing with a large system serving many users. However, it should
be possible to deliver output that caters for many, if not all, users (1 mark).
- Deliver the appropriate quantity of output (1 mark). The
system must not overload the user with output: it should provide what each person needs to
accomplish his or her task(s) (1 mark).
- Make sure that the output is where it is needed (1 mark).
To be useful, output must be presented to the correct person (or people) in the correct
fashion, otherwise it has very little (if any) value (1 mark).
- Provide the output on time (1 mark). The accurate timing
of output can be critical: for example, reports may be required on a monthly, weekly,
daily, or even hourly, basis (1 mark).
Other sensible answers should also receive credit.
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| (b) |
Describe two factors which
might influence the selection of output technology. |
[4] |
|
One mark
should be awarded for each valid point and a further mark should be awarded for each
satisfactory elaboration (up to a maximum of four marks). Examples include the following:
- Budget (1 mark). It is essential that the best technology
is employed within the assigned budget (1 mark).
- Maintenance cost (1 mark). What are the long term
maintenance costs associated with the chosen technology; for example, toner and paper for
a colour laser printer may be considered too expensive (1 mark).
- Software compatibility (1 mark). Tests should be carried
out before purchase to ensure that the output peripheral is compatible with the software
employed by the organisation (1 mark).
- Vendor support (1 mark). Output peripherals tend to wear
out more quickly that other components: ensure that the output device comes with a
suitable warranty (1 mark).
Other sensible answers should also receive credit.
|
|
| (c) |
Describe three objective associated
with the design of system input. |
[6] |
|
One mark should be
awarded for each valid point and a further mark should be awarded for each satisfactory
elaboration (up to a maximum of six marks). Examples include the following:
- Control the amount of input (1 mark). By reducing the need
for input, the speed of the entire process from data capture to processing to providing
results can be increased (1 mark).
- Avoid delays (1 mark). Bottlenecks resulting from data
preparation or data entry should be avoided as much as possible (1 mark).
- Avoid errors in data (1mark). The number of errors
associated with input can be reduced by reducing the volume of data that must be entered
for each transaction, or employing input validation techniques to detect errors in input
(1 mark).
- Avoid extra steps (1 mark). Ensure that the input process
is as efficient as possible: the effect of imposing even small reductions might have huge
benefits when it is multiplied over the course of time (1 mark).
- Keep the process simple (1 mark). Well-designed systems
fit the people who will use it in a way that is comfortable for them : in this sense,
simplicity works (1 mark).
Other sensible answers should also receive credit.
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| (d) |
Describe two types of cost
which can be reduced by using electronic forms. |
[4] |
|
One mark should be
awarded for each valid point and a further mark should be awarded for each satisfactory
elaboration (up to a maximum of four marks). Examples include the following:
- Costs of running out (1 mark). Electronic forms never run
out: supply always equals demand (1 mark).
- Costs of using the wrong form (1 mark). When using
electronic forms, controls can determine who uses a from and what they use it for; also
when forms are revised, old ones are no longer available (1 mark).
- Costs caused by data float (1 mark). Electronic forms
virtually eliminate data float—the time that it takes a paper form to get from point
A to point B—because data can be transmitted (virtually) instantaneously (1 mark).
Other sensible answer should also receive credit. |
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