- (a) Describe the information that will need to be stored about the temporary workers on the
(i) master file
Name, date of birth, day he entered the company, money paid and job title. (3)
(ii) transaction file(1)
(b) Using examples, describe the contents of the financial reports that will be produced when creating payslips.
Information about each employee of the company, information of each department, information about salaries of each employee, total salaries of all employees, an end summary of the total earnings and deductions of each department. (5)
(c) Compare and contrast the methods Jaypeg could use to implement the payroll system.
The system could be partially implemented, while the other part of the system remains unchanged. This can happen if, for example, only permanent workers system is implemented, while the one f temporary workers remains the same. Training the employees will be more gradually and not from one day to the other. If not, direct method could be used, it is quicker but if there is any problem you can not go to the old system to compare and modify it. Or with pilot running, which would occur if in some departments run the new system while in orders the old one. In this case this is impossible since only one department uses computer systems. Finally, parallel running is running one system next to the other, the new with the old. But this is definitely very expensive. (7)
Scenario 4
Question 6
Daniel is a surveyor. His job includes the accurate measuring of the dimensions of buildings in order to calculate the area of land being used.
He also needs to be able to access information about each property very quickly in addition to writing reports.
As he is frequently away from his office, time management software is an important tool he must use to organise his day.
While he is out of the office, he must remain in contact with his colleagues in order to receive or give instructions about particular jobs.
Owing to work commitments Daniel has little time for visiting banks and so uses online banking.
- (a) Other than time management software, describe, with examples of their use, the hardware and software that Daniel needs when he is away from the office.
He needs a laptop with internet connection in order to access to his mails, being able to send also. A mobile phone to contact with his colleagues. He also needs the laptop to organise his appointments of each month. For this he can use a run time management software. He also needs to store contact numbers in this laptop. Email software it is needed to receive and send things to his colleagues. (5)
(b) Describe how Daniel would use time management software to help him organize meeting times.
He would be able to keep a record of each meeting and appointment, with each corresponding time. Also, he can check there when he is free. He can set up an alarm in order to remember all his appointments. (3)
(c) Describe the benefits to Daniel of using online banking.
He can do it from his house, or any place with internet. He can do it at any time of the day or night and saves time since he doesn’t go to the bank. He is safe from his house, rather than exposing to a robbery as he goes home after visiting the bank. (4)
Scenario 5
Questions 7 and 8
Islamabad Translation Services is a company which employs a number of workers who translate documents between English and Urdu. Because much of the work is done on an individual basis, Faisal, the manager wants to allow the translators to work from home.
Shaista is a translator and she would like to work from home. She, like other workers, already has a standard PC with monitor, keyboard and mouse.
- (a) Describe the personal characteristics that Shaista would need to have before Faisal would recommend that she be allowed to work from home.
She should work without problems, without help of anyone and with self-discipline. She should also be motivated and have good skills at this work. (3)
(b) Describe, including their uses, the extra hardware that each worker will need to have in order to work from home.
A router in order to connect the PC to the internet. A printer to print the works they do. And a scanner to input the documents they need to translate. (3)
- Faisal wants to remain in contact with his workers and has considered regular video conferences for this. He feels this would also enable him to check on their work.
(a) Describe the extra hardware which Faisal would have to provide for each worker to take part in a video conference.
A microphone in order to input the voice from each worker. Speakers to here the rest of the participants. Webcams in order to see the other participants. (3)
(b) Explain why Faisal would use a video conference rather than a phone conference.
Since it is cheaper than setting a phone conference and you can see the body language or expressions of the other participants. (2)
Scenario 6
Question 9
An Egyptian book publishing company, Cairo Press, is looking to expand its operations. They wish to increase their advertising to extend their customer base. Their preferred method of advertising would be using a website, though they have the ICT facilities necessary to use a variety of methods.
If they do create their own website they will ask Ali, one of their most talented workers, to produce it. However, they are concerned about his lack of organisational skills.
- (a) Describe how time management software would help Ali to plan the creation of the website.
He would be able to keep a record of his appointments. Ali would be more organized with meeting times. He can set up alarms in order to remind the starting of a meeting. He can organize his tasks and see when he has free times. It is useful for daily and weekly planning. (4)
(b) Describe, giving the uses of each, six different types of software which Ali could use to create the website.
Web authoring
Word processing for typing text
Spreadsheet to create files of data for inclusion in the website.
Database to crate files of data for inclusion in the website.
Communications software to connect to the internet.
Web browser to see the website
Software to edit scanned images. (6)
(c) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to a company of advertising on somebody else’s website rather than creating their own website.
It is cheaper because they do not employ a programmer to create a website. Pop-ups grab attention of users. But as disadvantages, many users have pop-ups blockers or get angry with this windows that appear in any moment, what can make the user angry with the company. Their own website would be better, since has shorter delay and will be suited to their own fits. (5)
(d) Give the advantages of using flyers to advertise the company locally.
They can produce them using their own PC and printer. They are produced easy and quickly. You can choose who to send them, so that they only reach people interested. It is cheaper than creating a website or paying for an advertising on the television. (4)
Scenario 7
Questions 10 and 11
Sellafield food shops is a national chain of supermarkets in the UK. They have recently implemented a website for their customers, who can now order their shopping online and have it delivered to their home.
They have also created an overseas call centre so that if customers have problems with the website they can contact the company to fix these problems. The management of the call centre is to introduce shorter working periods (shifts) due to pressure from the workers.
- (a) Describe the features of a well designed online shopping website.
Security of users information so that hackers don’t interfere it. Easy web domain so that users can remember it easily. Good quality of photos and description of each item. Make users register with an username and a personal password. Possibility to track orders to see in what situation they are. (4)
(b) Explain the security issues involved with such a website.
Hackers can intercept personal data of users, such as information of their credits cards and may use this to buy on other pages. Personal data also could be use by hackers to log on this page and order more items. Hackers may have an issue on the shop. (3)
(c) Discuss whether customers should feel concerned about using this online shopping system.
The shop should encrypt the data of users so that if it is intercepted by hackers, this can not read it. In this way customers will use this online system more frequently. To read this data the system needs to have the encryption key. If this data is stolen, customers have rights in other to ask for the refund for faulty goods, this is a warranty that leaves customers satisfied. They may be concerned about the issue that they can not see the items in order to check their quality or if they are delivered wrong. To protect customers employees who manage information about customers should sign a confidence agreement (6)
- (a) Describe the features of Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) software which will be used in the call centre.
There is no need of human responses, they could use an automatic voice giving account information. Calls can be automatically delivered to the corresponding operator. A display showing the caller’s number. Fast dial techniques could be very useful in order to make it faster. (5)
(b) Describe some of the health and safety problems which might occur because of the call centre operators’ use of computers.
RSI by typing at a normal keyboard all day. A back pain by sitting in the same position or wrong position all day. Headaches or eye strain by looking all day to the monitor. An accident can cause electrocution. (4)
(c) Describe possible changes to the working patterns of call centre operators caused by the new shift patterns.
Some workers may be able to work from home, or in more flexible hours. Some may have the opportunity to go part time and in the long term it may lead to more operators being given jobs. (4)
Scenario 8
Questions 12 and 13
Dar Es Salaam High School has recently been formed by joining together six smaller schools. The head teacher wants to have a modern ICT system to administer staff and student records. She has decided to employ a systems analyst to look at the existing systems and recommend a new system.
The system will need to produce hundreds of reports in one session and should be able to find individual records very quickly. Using the results of the analysis of the current system the analyst will need to design the new system. Once the system has been designed and developed, user and technical documentation will need to be produced.
- (a) Other than observation, describe the methods that the systems analyst could use to research the current systems.
He can interview workers of the school who use the actual system in order to get information about it. He can create a questionnaire to give to this workers (3)
(b) Describe four different items that the systems analyst will need to include at the design stage. Using the scenario of Dar Es Salaam High School, explain the factors that will influence the choice of each item.
(8)
- (a) Explain the purpose of technical documentation.
It is information created specially for programmers. It is useful for this people when they need to modify the current system or upgrade it. Show errors in order to correct them. (2)
(b) Describe the two types of technical documentation including details of the contents of each one.
System documentation: Summary of the whole system. It has the test of data to see if it works correctly. The incorrect data can be tested again later to see if it has been modified. Decisions of software and hardware files.
Program documentation: For program code that has been written. Explanation of the software and justification why is there. Input and output data formats. Program flowcharts. (8)
(c) After the system has been developed it will be evaluated. Describe how test results are recorded and explain how they affect this evaluation.
Results recorded on a table where the test, the data are compared to the expected results and the final results. This results will help the programmer to take conclusions. Comparisons can be made between expected results and final results. (3)
Scenario 9
Questions 1 and 2
White Nile Foods in Cairo manufactures pre-packed meals. The company has a large-scale food mixer to mix the ingredients. The mixture is then moved to the production line where individual containers are filled and a lid and label is placed on each container. The containers are then moved to the refrigeration plant for storage prior to transportation.
The company would like to use ICT to produce advertising materials to publicise its new range of products.
- (a) Describe the process control which is used in:
(i) the food mixing process
Materials are mixed in the machine for a programmed period of time. Temperature is also programmed by the computer. Amount of ingredients. (2)
(ii) the food packing process.
Robots should stop and continue between each cartoon that is packaged and passes. It should be an on off process. (2)
(b) Describe the role of the microprocessor in the refrigeration process.
To control the temperature inside the refrigerator there should be temperature sensors. A numbered pad to enter the wanted temperature of it. The microprocessor compares temperature data from the sensor with the set previously one. If it is higher it puts on the compressor until it is lower that it turn it off. A digital to analogue conversion is needed and the microprocessor sends the information to the display. (6)
- Discuss two ways in which the company could advertise its products, indicating the role of ICT for each method.
A website can be a good idea since is a cheap form of advertisement. Producing a website will fit their own likes, and it has a lot of features. It can have multimedia (videos, music, images) it can have hyperlinks to other pages, such as advertisement to gain more money from it. It can be initially expensive this option. If not, they can advertise its products on other websites, what is cheaper. They can use pop-ups that are windows that appear on users windows and grab their attention. The problem with this is that users get upset quickly.
Another way of advertisement can be by emails to customers. It can be targeted to particular people who are interested. They can attach any file easily, to be seen by customers. It is fast and worldwide. The disadvantage of this is that customers may treat it as junk and not even see it.
I think that the more appropriate advertisement would be a website, their own one. (8)
Scenario 10
Questions 16, 17 and 18
Roundabout Food Shops is a national chain of supermarkets in India. The head office is in New Delhi though the supermarkets are distributed throughout India. It already has its own website where customers can find out where their local store is and can see what products are stocked.
Roundabout Food Shops wants to develop its website so that customers can order their shopping online and have it delivered to their home. It has employed a number of designers to develop the website. They will work in groups developing different aspects of the website.
They will need to operate a call centre so that if customers have problems with the website they can contact the company about it.
- (a) Describe how time management software can help the designers to organise the development of the website.
It organises meeting times. The calendar function enables designers to have an organized record of their appointments. It can be online on a network and designers have access to it from any place. They can check when they are free. They can set up alarms to know the starting of a meeting its time. The calendar tells designers if they are superposing two appointments. (6)
- Describe the security measures that the designers will need to include to prevent personal data being used by unauthorised users.
Customers should have a username and password to access to log on and access their account. Personal information of customers should be saved encrypted so that in the case it is intercepted by hackers, this can no read it. Encrypted data can only be read if the system has the corresponding key. (4)
- (a) Describe the steps that a customer using the website would have to follow in order to purchase items and have them delivered.
Customers should browse between the categories they want, and then each individual item. After deciding which item they want, they would put it in the cart to buy and log in onto the website entering username and password. There they will enter the address and order it. If they are not registered se registran y blab la y log off! (4)
(b) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to the customer of using such a system.
The advantages are that customers can shop at any time they want, all day and from any part where they have access to internet. They can investigate all items without being pressed. They don’t have to spend time going to the shop personally.
As disadvantage we can say that customers may have an issue with hackers getting their information. They can order something and never be delivered. But in conclusion it is very useful this type of systems with some security elements. (6)
- (a) Describe the features of the software used to control the call centre operations.
A display should show the caller’s number. Automatic voice should give information and deliver the call to the corresponding sector. This is thanks to IVR software that processes the phone calls. (4)
- Describe the effects that the introduction of online shopping would have on the employment of workers at Roundabout Food Shops. Include the effects on working patterns.
It will increase unemployment for some operators but increase employment of technical stuff and programmers. Some operators will work from their houses, or have more flexible working hours. Opportunity to job share or to go part time. (6)
Scenario 11
Questions 19 and 20
Rajvinder Uppal is the manager of a book publishing company. The company uses an outdated record keeping system for storing details of the books they publish. Rajvinder wants to introduce a more modern system. She has employed the services of a systems analyst, Vikram Patel, to investigate the current system and create a new one.
Vikram will use a variety of methods to collect information about the existing system.
- (a) Describe two types of diagram which Vikram could use to record information about the current system.
Data flow diagrams to represent input, output and processing. Flowcharts for storage and processing symbols. (4)
(b) Describe how the recording of information will help with the analysis of the current system.
To identify problems. Diagrams show weaknesses of the system. Helps to identify software and hardware of the new system. Can see exactly the job of each worker. (5)
(c) Describe how Vikram will identify the information requirements for a new system.
Collect data experimenting with the actual system. Interview personally users to find out requeriments. (2)
- (a) Describe the factors which will influence Vikram when designing the input and output layouts.
Fullfill user requeriments and be easy to use for workers. Attractive and new lookout. Must have instructions for users. Consider who will see outputs. Screen output should be simple so that workers understand it easily. (6)
(b) After the system has been developed it will need to be implemented. Discuss the different methods which could be used.
Parallel running: running old system next to the new one. Is expensive
Phased running: running one part of the new system together with a part of the old one. Is cheaper.
Pilot running: running the new system on one branch of the company while the other still uses de old one. Problems get limited to one office.
Direct changeover: replacing totally the old system by the new one. Cheaper and quicker but you can not go back to see something of the other system. I would choose pilot running to see what happens. (6)
- Describe how the data will be organised on the database to allow Rajvinder to access a book record quickly.
Each record can have and index and the index related to a letter of the alphabet. When this letter is found the index appear with the record. Records are searched sequentially from that point. (4)
- After the system has been implemented Vikram will need to evaluate it. Describe the process of evaluation.
By using test results he can compare the actual results to the expected results. Modifications made if results are not as expected. By obtaining feedback of workers. Sending questionnaires to workers in order to see what they think about the system and identifying limitations of the system. (5)