In this (2b) report I am going to investigate software application, Input and Output devices, Processor, Ports and Cables and finally Storage devices that Sainsbury used them,

Unit 2b

INTRODUCTION

In this (2b) report I am going to investigate software application, Input and Output devices, Processor, Ports and Cables and finally Storage devices that Sainsbury used them, I am again briefly introducing this Supermarket with its aims function and some purposes and how Sainsbury uses technologies, and why Sainsbury uses these different technologies, In this report I am investigating different technologies, and some other technologies that we used every day in our life, for example: Keyboard, mouse, PC, etc.

J Sainsbury plc is a leading UK food retailer with interests in non-food and financial services. The group comprises Sainsbury’s Supermarkets, Bells Stores, Jackson’s Stores and Sainsbury Bank and employs more than 153,000 people.

Sainsbury’s businesses is built on a commitment to quality and service that dates back to 1869 and its desire to give customers the “best butter in the world” at prices they could afford. Sainsbury aims to be the customer’s first choice for food, delivering products of outstanding quality with great service at a competitive cost. More recently in 1996, the company started formal reporting was broadened to CSR as a response to greater demand amongst its stakeholders.

Sainsbury’s estimated that it recruits around 50,000 people a year and, in May 2005, launched a drive to hire 10,000 over-50s by the end of the year. This Supermarket uses all the traditional recruitments channels, such as in-store advertisements, posters, find friend initiatives, local and national newspapers and the internet.

More than 60% of Sainsbury’s staffs are female and 68% workers part-time. Workers with laptops can access the internet from home.

There are 450 stores across the UK with turnover of 510 million pound. Sainsbury service over 10.8 million customers a week and sell around 25,000 different products.

Sainsbury purpose is to ensure all employees have opportunities to develop their abilities and are well rewarded from their contribution to the success of the business.

And also its purpose to be the UK costumer’s find choice for food shopping by reaffirming their lead in quality and offering outstanding value for money.

Within Sainsbury supermarket, Sainsbury used different technologies, the main purpose of using the technologies are to fulfil its needs, and for more facilities they used this technologies, and also Sainsbury used technologies to be in touch with there employees inside, for example they used electronic information board for communicating, and using other technologies for facilities of customers, for example EPOS/till that customers with themselves used it, for buying the foods or tools.

Sainsbury is just a name of supermarket, it can do anything, works that do are departments, employers, and employees that control this Supermarket, so the departments are mostly used the computer software’s such as: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, and etc for fulfilling there needs.

Sainsbury’s uses a number of IT systems to manage its supply chain, mostly within the Tesco outsourcing deal.

Sainsbury’s said it would continue to use its supply chain IT systems and attempt to get better value from other supermarkets, but when necessary it would revert to manual support. Sainsbury also plans to reduce spending on IT and the supply chain.

Sainsbury said the following things about its IT

“Sophisticated customer and product segmentation over the past two or three years has required a complex supply chain solution which simply cannot be delivered to the required scale. The new automated depots are failing to perform at the planned levels.”
“IT systems have also failed to deliver the anticipated increase in productivity and the costs today are a greater proportion of sales than they were few years ago.”
“The contract of Sainsbury with other supermarket is being renegotiated to involve the company more fully in the selection and implementation of systems and IT solutions. Accordingly the company is rebuilding internal capability.”

Sainsbury’s uses several computers which are located in a room known as the system office and form the supermarkets own local area network. The computers are used to control the stock and are connected to the checkouts. Theses are the ‘branch computers’. The computers are multifunctional, and each can access the data, which gives the management a number of access points.

Sainsbury admin and stock control staff now have access to hand held computers, SEC (Shelf Edge Computers). These are used for price changes, creating stock pictures (information on stock totals) and for forecasting deliveries. Like many companies, they have experimented with giving customers hand held scanners to enter their own shopping. The experiment has been discontinued due to huge stock losses, staff called them ‘Shop and Rob; rather then ‘Shop and Go’. Sainsbury is currently looking at developing a better system to get round these problems.

In the standard method, Sainsbury selling cookers etc, keeps it stock in a shop and in an attached warehouse. When stock in the Sainsbury is runs low it is replenished from the warehouse. A check is kept on how much stock is in the warehouse. When the warehouse needs new stock, an order is placed with the appropriate suppliers – or with the organisation’s main warehouse – and the goods are delivered.

How/Why Sainsbury uses Internet?

Sainsbury supermarkets now have websites which allow it to shop over the internet, this has allowed them access to different markets i.e. people who do not have transport to get to the store.

Sainsbury have recognised that the internet allowed people to interact with each other in a different way, and it gave the potential for creating new markets and in reinvigorating old ones.

INPUT DEVICES

An input device is any peripheral (piece of computer hardware equipment) used to proved data and control signals to an information processing system (such as a compute). Input and output devices make up the hardware interface between a computer and the user or external world.

In general, any sensor which monitors, scans for and accepts information from the external world can be considered an input device, whether or not the information is under the direct control of a user. Common examples of input devices include the keyboard and mouse, though many others provide much more specialized input such as a scanner or 6DOF controller.

KEYBOARD-

The keyboard is the most used input device. It converts numbers, letters and special characters that people understand into electrical signals. These signals are sent to and processed by the system unit. The layout of the typewriter keys is known as the QWERTY layout. This name comes from the six leftmost characters in the top row of the typewriter keys. Another keyboard design, which has letters positioned for spend typing, is the Dvorak keyboard.

A keyboard is a human interface device which is represented as a layout of buttons. Each button, or key, can be used to either input a linguistic character to a computer, or to call upon a particular function of the computer. Traditional keyboards use spring-based buttons, though newer variations employ virtual keys; Even projected keyboards.

Sainsbury uses an overlay keyboard that is a specialized keyboard with no pre-set keys. Sainsbury often used overlay keyboards as a quick and easy way to input items and devices with just one button.

Overlay keyboard except Sainsbury, used probably most often in fast food restaurants, where they reduce the amount of time required to enter item. Within Sainsbury overlay keyboard often used by disabled people who have sensory or motor control difficulties.

Overlay keyboard have several advantages over conventional keyboards or mice. They do not require memorization of shortcut keys (i.e. F5, Alt+S, etc.) nor do they require a great deal of fine motor control, making them ideal for people who have difficulty using a conventional keyboard. Sainsbury used overlay keyboards easy to clean, and are much more resistant to spills or dust. The ability to change overlay sheets also makes it easy for Sainsbury’s to have several different uses.

Physically, a keyboard is an arrangement of buttons, or keys. A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the keys; in most cases, each press of a key corresponds to a single written symbol. However, to produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence; other keys do not produce any symbol, but instead affect the operation of the computer or the keyboard itself.

A majority of all keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or signs (characters) that are appropriate for the operator’s language. Other keys can produce actions when pressed, and other actions are available by the simultaneous pressing of more than one action key.

MOUSE-

In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of a small case, held under one of the user’s hands, with one or more buttons. It sometimes features other elements, such as “wheels”, which allow the user to perform various system-dependent operations, or extra buttons or features can add more control or dimensional input. The mouse’s motions typically translate into the motion of a pointer on a display, which allows for fine control of a Graphical User Interface.

A pointing device or mouse is any human interface device that allows a user to input spatial data to a computer. In the case of mice and touch screens, this is usually achieved by detecting movement across a physical surface. Analog devices, such as 3D mice, joysticks, or pointing sticks, function by reporting their angle of deflection. Movement of the pointing device are echoed on the screen by movements of the cursor, creating a simple, intuitive way to navigate a computer’s GUI.

We all know that computers especially desktops are not like laptops contain mouse, keyboard, loudspeaker, monitor, perhaps the desktops that Sainsbury use mostly has all this technologies separately, so mouse is one the most common input device that Sainsbury staff use it, and without mouse they can’t do any work in desktops this is a big problem for Sainsbury, thus Sainsbury hopes to reduce the desktops, Sainsbury wants to increase laptops on its supermarket.

The advantages of the mouse which Sainsbury has been founded; a mouse works very well for navigating a graphical user interface, such as Windows or Mac. With additional buttons and a scroll wheel, increasingly complex software, grouping, moving and deleting files, and even image editing with software like Photoshop.

Sainsbury’s I.T officer experience said: a mouse is better for fine movement and adjustments than most of the alternatives.

And the disadvantages which Sainsbury found are: an external mouse requires space, making it nearly impossible to use on an airplane. A mechanical mouse needs to be cleaned regularly or it ...

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Sainsbury’s I.T officer experience said: a mouse is better for fine movement and adjustments than most of the alternatives.

And the disadvantages which Sainsbury found are: an external mouse requires space, making it nearly impossible to use on an airplane. A mechanical mouse needs to be cleaned regularly or it will get clogged with lint and dust. The cord on most mice can get hung up and drag, making the mouse difficult to use.

BAR CODE READER-

A barcode reader, also called a price scanner or Point-Of-Sale (POS) scanner, is a hand-held or stationary input device used to capture and read information contained in a bar code. A barcode reader consists of a scanner, a decoder (either built-in or external), and a cable used to connect the reader with a computer. Because a barcode reader merely captures and translates the barcode into numbers and/or letters, the data must be sent to a computer so that a software application can make sense of the data. Barcode scanners can e connected to a computer through a serial port, keyboard port, or an interface device called a wedge. A barcode reader works y directing a beam of light across the bar code and measuring the amount of light that is reflected back. (The dark bars on a barcode reflect less light energy into electrical energy, which is then converted into data be the decoder and forwarded to a computer.

First of all Sainsbury need to provide the barcode reader as part of its goods, the most important thing for the shops and supermarket are barcode readers, and Sainsbury is also one of the biggest food and goods/tools store.

Why Barcode reader is important for Sainsbury?

Bar codes are used in Sainsbury. Each items of stock is marked with a unique code composed of dark and light bars of different widths.

The code represents a number, which is the data to be fed into the computer system. The bar code reader detects the amount of light reflected by the dark and light lines in the bar code, and many readers are now so sensitive that they can read a code from a distance of five metres or more.

In Sainsbury, the reading of bar codes allows computer systems to keep stock levels up to date so that goods can e re-ordered as soon as they are required.

Useful data about demand can also be obtained, for example which item in a particular range is selling best. In libraries, each book is marked with a code, and borrower tickets also have a code which allows the computer system to match borrowers with books and return dates. A similar system is operated with items of luggage and their owners at airport.

Current barcode readers are either fixed installations, where the goods are passed over the bar code reader, or incorporated within hand-held units which are placed near to each bar-code to read it. The optical image is then passed to a detection device, typically charge-coupled device. These bar-code readers have the disadvantages that the light path from the input to the detection device cannot be bent without the use of mirrors. In many situations it may be desirable to bend the path of light for example to enable a more compact arrangement. The use of mirrors to achieve the required bent light path reduces the ability of the barcode reader to withstand shocks such as those sustained when dropped or knocked.

The performance of the barcode reader is directly related to the quality of the optical image that is received by the detection device. The barcode reader must therefore maximise the amount of reflected light received from the barcode and minimise interference from other sources.

Thus the present invention seeks to provide a barcode reader which at least alleviates the disadvantages of the known devices.

According to the present invention there is provided a barcode leader having a light inlet and an image detector, further including a light pipe for conveying light from the light inlet to the image detector.

The light pipe may be any suitably shaped solid body made of a transparent material. This provides the advantages that the light path from the light inlet to the image detector may be bent, while the reader is mechanically robust.

The present invention also provides a barcode reader wherein the light pipe is angled at least one corner and wherein the light pipe has matt outer surfaces except at the/or each corner where the outer surface is polished ant at regions where light is to e transmitted into or out of the light pipe.

This arrangement allows the barcode image to be conveyed from the light inlet to the image detector along a bent path without significant loss of intensity of the barcode image, as reflection occurs at polished surfaces, whilst light from other sources entering the light pipe will be severely attenuated by reflection at the matt surfaces. Preferably the light pipe is formed as a light trap to eliminate multipaths from the inlet to the age detector.

And this technology fulfil Sainsbury’s purposes and now there are Kroger self checkout are in Sainsbury, Kroger self checkout is also same self checkout, but in self-checkout Sainsbury’s staff scan the foods/goods, tools for us, in Kroger self checkout we do it with own ourselves, and now most of the customers use Kroger self-checkout, and me as well.

DIGITAL CAMERA-

Digital camera is used to take photographs in the same way as a traditional camera, except that it does not use light sensitive film. The digital camera has a memory in which images are stored and extra memory cards can be bought to increase the camera’s storage capacity. The more memory the camera has, the more pictures can be taken before it is necessary to download onto a computer.

On most digital cameras, Sainsbury can see the picture that has just been taken on a small screen at the back and, if the image is not suitable, can delete it straight away.

Picture are downloaded onto a computer by means of a cable between the camera and computer, or by placing the camera near to the computer and using infra-red technology to make the two devices communicate, or by removing the memory disk from the camera, plugging it into the computer and using a reader to interpret the data.

Some cameras are left permanently linked to computers, positioned so that users can collect pictures of themselves. The image data can then be transmitted with voice data or text messages to allow video conferencing to take place.

Sainsbury used Digital camera to take the pictures of its foods, goods and tools and release them on internet and for the advertisement, around United Kingdom, and also for taken pictures of customers for hiring. And used digital camera to take the images of foods to leaflets them to people, and the location of Sainsbury where is located.

Advantages of Digital cameras-

No film is needed, and there are no expensive developing costs.
Unwanted images can be deleted immediately.
Photographic images can be put into a document without the need for a scanner.
Since pictures are in digital form, they can be transmitted via internet.
Images can be edited without the need for professional darkroom work. Specialised software such as PhotoShop allows users to remove unwanted details in photographs, add extra features and adjust colour and contrast.

PROCESSORS

This is the term used to describe the way information systems convert raw data into useful information. Processing includes the following function: calculating; sorting; searching; storing; drawing. The name given to the processing unit in a computer is a CPU or Central Processing Unit.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT-

A Central Processing Unit (CPU), or sometimes just called processor, is a description of a class of logic machines that can execute computer programs. This broad definition can easily be applied to many early computers that existed long before the term “CPU” ever came into widespread usage. The term itself and it initialise have been in use in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. The form design and implementation of CPUs have changed dramatically since the earliest examples, but their fundamental operation has remained much the same.

The CPU can be thought of as the brains of the computer system. Often people mistake the case or chassis of their computer as the CPU. The CPU is actually an internal component of the computer that can not be seen from the outside of the system, or the inside without removing the CPU heat sink and fan. A CPU is commonly the most expensive component of a computer and is very sensitive to static electricity.

Computers have been used in food retailing groups for the past 13-14 years. Sainsbury store began by implementing distribution and basic accounting systems on mark sense cards and early computing equipment like the Emidec 1100. From these elementary beginnings the Sainsbury have now developed sophisticated and integrated systems based on substantial investment on computer equipment and computer software. The emphasis in computing development however, throughout the last decade, has been on distribution systems. In addition substantial effort has gone into accounting and management information applications. The degree of centralised control of the trading operation within each group has to a very large extent dictated the data processing policy pursued by individual organisations. Other factors have been the number and size of the retail stores owned by the Sainsbury and the detailed trading strategy followed by each group, such as the ratio of own label to branded goods. The effect of these factors in practice can best be illustrated by a description of the different computer-based distribution systems operated by the major groups.

The CPU itself is an internal component of the computer. Modern CPUs are small and square and contain multiple metallic connectors or pins on the underside. The CPU is inserted directly into a CPU socket, pin side down, on the motherboard. For more understanding I am going to write about motherboard.

SERVERS-

A server is a computer dedicated to providing one or more services over a computer network, typically through a response routine. These services are furnished by specialized server applications, which are computer programs designed to handle multiple concurrent requests. Examples of server applications include: mail servers, file servers, web servers, and proxy servers.

Or we can definite that a server is a software program, or the computer, on which the program runs, that provides a specific kind of service to client software running on the same computer or other computers on a network.

The client-server software architecture model distinguishes client systems from server systems, which communicate over a computer network. A client-server application is a distributed system comprising both client and server software.

Sainsbury’s supermarkets has used Compaq server running Windows NT. The new server is used in Sainsbury’s because the old system could not cope and longer with the company’s growing number of seasonal products, reaching about 1500 this year, nor support the generating of over 50,000 orders daily during the Christmas period, for delivery to more than 600 Sainsbury’s stores.

OUTPUT DEVICES

Outputs are the visible or audible result of data processing – information that can be used. Outputs are made available by output peripherals, or devices, the machinery that makes them accessible to users. Examples of output devices are screens (both on computers and mobile phones), printers and speakers. Outputs can take the form of sounds, visual displays and movements.

MONITORS-

Every desktop computer, most portables, electronic calculators and mobile phones have a display screen of some kind. One a desktop computer, the screen is often known as the monitor, or as a VDU (Visual Display Unit). Screens are available in various sizes.

Standard VDUs on desktop computers work in the same way as the screen on a standard television set, but this technology is too bulky for portables or the other hand-held devices. These use liquid crystal displays, made from flat plates with liquid between them.

Although liquid crystal displays take up much less space, the disadvantage is that these screens can be viewed only from a limited angle. As the technology improves, flat screen panels are becoming available for desktop computers too.

A screen display is either monochrome, or colour.

Monochrome does not necessarily mean black and white. They may have orange or green text on a lack background, the significant difference being that they do not provide the range of colour of a colour screen.

Monochrome screens are suitable where they are used only to provide text displays. Colour is considered to be more restful to the eye and is necessary to show detail of graphics, or to highlight error messages, menu options, etc in word processing. However, the use of colour takes up more storage space and requires more processing time.

Advantages/Disadvantages of screens as output devices for Sainsbury’s-

The principle disadvantage is that they do not provide permanent copy. They are also unsuitable for any users with visual problems.
Advantages are that they provide high speed change of display, which can include text, graphics and colours. They make no noise and do not waste paper.

Sainsbury uses the monitors/screen for their desktops in their departments for the staff, and also Sainsbury uses the touch screens, for more facilities of customer to use the Kroger self checkout without using mouse or keyboard.

PRINTER-

Printers provide output in the form of permanent copy, normally on paper. Many can also print on to acetate sheets that are used on overhead projectors.

Sainsbury’s are chosen printers because of their purchase and running cost alongside their printing speed and resolution. Sainsbury’s using them because the printing speeds are usually expressed as the number off pages per minute. Resolution is often expressed in terms of the number of dots per inch (dpi). The larger the number of dots the higher the resolution is.

All printers used in Sainsbury’s to consumables that need replacing. These can take the form of the paper, card or acetate they print on and the inks, ribbons or toner they use to form the printed image. Some printers, such as ink-jet printers need special coated papers to achieve the best results. These are more expensive and add to the running costs.

Sainsbury used the Sony printing kiosks this will now feature in a further 100 Sainsbury’s stores. In time for printing all those holiday season pictures, shoppers in 230 towns and cities across the UK can now print high quality 4 x 6 photos at approximately 3.5s each using the two Sony UP - DR150 printing units housed in each kiosk, without having to go out of their way and waste precious time.

Sainsbury’s Photo buying Manager Said: “Since we start using the Sony printer kiosk, a staggering nine million digital photo prints additional Sony print kiosks allows us to bring even more customers an affordable, accessible and convenient photo printing solution,”.

PLOTTERS-

Sainsbury used Plotters to device for producing high quality graphical output on paper. They used it to produce plans, maps, line diagrams and three dimensional drawings. Plotters come in sizes that match the standard sizes of paper, and can be very large.

There are two main types of plotter, pen plotter and penless plotters. Penless lotters use various different technologies. High quality work for publication is produced by electrostatic plotters.

Pen plotter use pens to produce images and different pens may be used. Containing different coloured inks.
The pens can reach any point on the piece of paper.
The lines drawn are continuous, not made of dots, and the drawing produced is very accurate.
Pen plotters may be classified as either flat-bed plotters, or drum plotters.
The pens used in plotters need to e replaced when they run out of ink.

Advantages/Disadvantages of plotters for Sainsbury:

Output is slow from a plotter, but speed is less important than accuracy for the type of graphics it produces. Technical drawings for a car, for example, must be accurate.

SPEAKERS AND VOICE SYNTHESIS -

The output devices described so far produce visual output. Sainsbury’s speakers produce audible output and work in the same way as speakers used with music systems. In Sainsbury’s the computer systems that are designed to run multimedia software are often supplied with speakers as an integral part.

On other hand Sainsbury’s used the speakers are connected by cables to special hardware fitted inside the computer casing.

Apart from playing back music and other sound, speakers can produce voice output. This is invaluable for visually handicapped users. Voice output is generally more successful than voice recognition at the input stage. Voice synthesis can be used to produce output from a computer via a telephone without the need for a modem or a terminal. Codes can be sent by pressing combinations of the buttons on the telephone, prompting the computer to reply with synthesised speech.

A number of small, hand-held electronic devices are available that use small speakers to produce synthesised speech. They include language translators and small learning aids, for example to help children with arithmetic.

PORTS AND CABLES

PORTS

SERIAL PORT-

In computing, a serial port is a serial communication physical interface through which information transfers in or out one bit at a time (contrast parallel port). Throughout most of the history of personal computers, data transfer through serial ports connected the computer to devices such as terminals and various peripherals.

While such interfaces as Ethernet, FireWire, and USB all send data as a serial stream, the term « serial port » usually identifies hardware more or less compliant to the RS-232 standard, intended to interface with a modern or with a similar communication device.

In Sainsbury’s for many computer peripheral devices the USB interface has replaced the serial port. While neraly every server has a serial port, amny modern low-end workstations and laptops often don’t have one. The serial port is omitted for cost savings, and is considered to be a legacy port on personal computers. However, serial ports can be found in Sainsbury’s authomation systems, scientific analysis, shop till systems and some industrial and consumer products. Network equipment (such as routers and switches) often have serial ports for configuration. Serial ports are still used in Sainsbury’s because they are simple, cheap and allow interoperability between devices.

HOW SERIAL PORT WORK IN SAINSBURY’S?

Essentially, serial ports provide a standard connector and protocol to let Saisnbury’s attach devices, such as modems, to the computer. In this edition of How Sainsbury stuff works, Sainsbury stuff will learn about the differnece between a parallel port and a serial port, what each pin does and what flow control is.

FIREWIRE-

Firewire is one of the fastest peripheral standards ever developed, which makes it great for use with multimedia peripherals such as digital video cameras and other high-speed devices like the latest hard disk drives and printers.

Firewire is integrated into Power Macs, iMacs, eMacs, MacBooks, Macbook Pros, and the iPod. Firewire ports were also integrated into many other computer products dating back to the Power Macintosh G3 « Blue & White » computers. All these machines include Firewire ports that operate at up to 400 megabits per second and the latest machines include Firewire ports that support 1394b and operate at up to 800 megabits per second.

When DV camcorders were being developed in the early 1990s all Sainsburuy’s are agreed not only to use a common digital tape format but also a means by which information could be sent from the camcorder to other associated devices. Firewire was first developed by Apple Computer Inc and was adopted by the electronics industry under the patent IEEE1394 ;

So that’s the condensed history lesson over. What is firewire in practice ? Well, every consumer digital video camcorder that uses either MiniDV or HDV tape has a Firewire socket – and this makes it possible to transfer video clips from the tape in the camcorder to a suitably-equipped computer, another camcorder or a digital videocassette recorder. No only that, but many additional devices used by computers – external hard disk drives, signal converters, etc, use Firewire as well. It’s a universal connectore standard.

When is FireWire not necessary for Sainsbury’s ?

As the use of tape-based camcorders, such as MiniDV and HDV models, gives way to the new wave of devices that save Sainsbury’s video clips to either HDD (Hard Disc Drives), SD/Memory Stick Memory Cards or – to a lesser extent – DVD discs in the camcorder, Sainsbury’s have less of a dependence upon FireWire. Firewire is only really necesasry for the streaming of the DV signal to another device in real time. So, every 60 minutes of tape content requires 60 minutes to transer across to the ocmputer in readiness for editing. Other so-called tapeless, even solid-state camcorders can send their clips over a USB cable in the same way as we commonly do to transfer digital stills pictures. For these, Firewire in not required.

PARALLEL PORT-

This interface is found on the back of older PCs and is used for connecting external devices such as printers or a scanners. It uses a 25-pin connector (DB-25) adn is ratehr large compared to most new interfaces. The parallel port is sometimes called a Centronics interface, since Centronics was the company that designed the origianl parallel port standard.

It is sometimes also referred to as a printer port because the printer is the device most commonly attached to the parralle port. The latest parallel port standard, which supports the same connectors as the Centronics interface, is called the Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP).

This standard supports bi-directional communication and can transfer Sainsbury’s data up to ten times faster than the original Centronics port. However, since the parallel port is a rather dated technology, don’t e surprised to use USB or Firewire interfaces completely replace parallel ports in the futuer.

USB PORT-

USB stand by Universal Serial Bus is connectors on the back of desktops CPU and in tow sides of the laptops. These USB connectors let us attach everything from mice to printers to our computer quickly and easily. The operating system supports USB as well, so the installation of the device drivers is quick and easy, too. Compared to other ways of connecting devices to our computer (including parallel ports, serial ports and special cards that we install inside the computer’s case), USB devices are incredibly simple!

Connecting a USB device to a computer is simple – you find the USB connector on the back of the machine and plug the USB connector into it.

If it is a new device, the operating system auto—detects it and asks for the driver disk. If the device has already been installed, the computer activates it and starts talking to it. USB devices can be connected and disconnected at any time.

Many USB devices come in Sainsbury’s with their own built-in cable, and the cable has an “A” connection on it. If not, then the device has a socket on it that accepts a USB “B” connector.

The USB standard uses “A” and “B” connectors to avoid confusion:

“A” connectors head “upstream” toward the computer.
“B” connectors head “downstream” and connect to individual devices.

By using of Sainsbury’s different connectors on the upstream and downstream end, it is impossible for Sainsbury to ever get confused – if Sainsbury’s connect any USB cable’s “B” connector into a device we know that it will work. Similarly, Sainsbury’s can plug any “A” connector into any “A” socket and know that it will work.

CABLES

FIBRE OPTIC CABLE-

Fiber Optics involves the transmission of communication signals over thin strands of glass or plastic. This technology is not really new since the concept was originally formulated over a century ago and has been in commercial use for at least twenty-five years. The first commercial fiber optic installation was for a telephone fiber optics networks were operational. By the mid-1980’, most of the modern, basic fiber technology was developed and began to be installed in the communications grid that now handles virtually all long distance telecommunications.

THE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE OF FIBER OPTICS FOR SAINSBURY’S -

A tiny strand of optical fiber can carry more communicaitons signals over longer distances than a copper cable ten times its width. For example, a copper-based communications cable wiht about 1000 pairs of conductors can only carry about 24 telphone coversations a distance of less than 3 miles. A significatly thinner fiber cable can carry more than 32,000 conversations hundreds or even thousands of miles before it needs assistance in the form of signal regeneration. Beyong that, each fibre can simultaneously carry over 150 times more data by transmitting at different wavelengths of light, if desired.

FIBER OPTICS APPLICATIONS -

Fiber optics are used in Sainsbury’s, including lighting, signs, sensors and visual inspection (medicine and non-destructive testing). Sainsbury’s have probably seen at least a fiber optic Christmas tree or other lighting fixture that uses these versatile and flexible strand of glass.

However, the focus of this introduciton to fiber optics is on data communications applications, including telephony, cable TV, internet connections, local area networks, industrial communications and control, closed circuit video monitoring, alarm and intrusion sensors and multiple other uses, includign significant dependence by the military on this technology.

Fiber optics technology has made significant inroads into many of these applications and are known to be in over 50% of all local telphone systems, over 90% of all long distance telephone systems, the majority of cable TV networks, many video surveillance networks, and most computer network backbones. While fiber optics technology has not yet become the dominant cable in desktop connections for LANs as the cost of fiber continues to come down and the cost of copper as a raw material continues to rise based upon increased demand from developing countries, it is assumed by many that eventually fiber will come to play a dominat role netwroking desktops, as well.

THE BENEITS OF FIBER OPTICS FOR SAINSBURY’S :

It has lower Overall Costs
Faster Data Speeds
Longer Transmission Distances
Lower Weight
Smaller Physical Size
No Electromagnetic Radiation Interference
Electrical Isolation
Improved Security

COAXIAL CABLE-

Coaxila calbe is an electrical cable consisting of an inner conductor surrounded by and insulating spacer, surrounded by an outer cylindrical conductor. The term coaxial comes from the inner conductor and the outer shield sharing the same geometric axis. Coaxial cables are often used as a transmission line for radio frequency signals.

In a hypothetical ideal coaxial cable the electromagnetic field carrying the signal exists only in the space between the inner and outer conductors. Practical cables achieve this objective to a high degree. Sainsbury’s used coaxial cable because this provides protection of isgnals from external electromagnetic interference, and effectively guides signals with low emission along the length of the cable.

CONSTRUCTION –

A coaxial (coax) cable has a solid copper or copper-clad-steel centre conductor surrounded by a non-conductive dielectric insulting material. The dielectric is surrounded by foil shield/s or copper braids which form the outer condurctor and also shield against electromagnetic interference (EMI). The outer conductor/shield is encased in a PVC jacket.

Most coaxial cables for video applications have a nominal impedance of 75 ohms within Sainsbury’s. Their differing electrical and physical characteristics make it important to select the correct type of cable to suit the application.

IDE CABLE –

IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) is a standard electronic interface used between a computer motherbaord’s data paths or bus and the computer’s disk storage devices. The IDE interface is based on the IBM PC Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) 16-bit bus standard, but it is also used in Sainsbury’s computers to use other bus standards. Sainsbury’s sold today use an enhanced version of IDE called Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE). In today’s computers, the IDE controller is often built into the motherboard.

In a recetn project for Saisnbury’s customer, Sainsbury were faced with having to swap IDE devices around on a fairly regular basis. This constant moving the master/slave drive jumper was getting very old, very ast, but Sainsbury have foudn a great solutino.

All IDE drives have jumpers that select the « master » ro « slave » role on the controller, but modern drives also have a « CS » or « Cable select » pin. This allows the IDE cable itself to select the drive’s role : all the drives have the CS jumper set, and the cable chooses the master and the slave.

STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA

Data is stored in an information system so that it can be utilised when required. It can be stored both temporarily, while a program is running, and long-term, so that it can be preserved while software and hardware is not in use.

MAIN STORE MEMORY-

ROM, RAM – A standard computer forms the central part of an information system and its central processing unit has two types of memory, or main store. These are Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM).

Memory, or main store, is the term used for the group of chips inside the processing unit where data is held temporarily while processing takes place. This memory is instantly accessible, unlike backing storage which is held outside the central processing unit and has to be accessed on disk or tape.

Memory is used in Sainsbury’s for the following functions:

To hold program – these may be the operating system (programs which control the hardware) or applications programs (programs that fulfil a particular user-related task such as database creation)
To hold data that has been input.
To provide a working area to store data that is currently being processed
To hold output data before it is sent to an output device.

Characteristics of the main store are that data can be written and read at very high speeds. It can be transferred without any mechanical movement. The main store is divided into locations and usually contains two different types off memory:

READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM)

Data stored on ROM is held even when the power is switched off and is therefore considered to be non-volatile memory.

This is held on a chip inside the processor and is used in Sainsbury’s stores to hold data that cannot be changed by the user. Programs related to the operating system are stored on ROM chips when a computer is manufactured. This data will usually be the software that tells the computer how to load the operating system (called the boot program) when it is switched on or re-booted.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)

In contrast to ROM, RAM is volatile memory. It is held on a chip, but only temporarily. The data held disappears if the power is switched off. RAM is used to hold both data and programs during processing. It also holds the contents of the screen during use.

Printers normally contain some RAM, to store the next set of data to be printed, and some ROM to store programs to control the printing process, and to hold the shapes of different fonts. Most of the memory in a computer system is usually RAM that Sainsbury often used them.

HARD DISK-

Hard disks are made of metal coated with a magnet sable material. They can hold a large amount of data (more than floppy disks) and are usually fixed inside the hard disk drive of the computer. This is usually holding several disks on a single spindle. As each disk surface is able to store data, each surface can have its own read/write head. These can operate simultaneously, which means that data can be transferred and utilised more quickly than by using a single larger disk. This access time is very important because modern software often needs to move data to and from a hard disk. It does not hold everything in memory all the time.

Hard disks are used in Sainsbury to:

store the operating system, applications software and user’s files for a PC
store the operating system, software and files for a local area network (LAN)
Store work awaiting printing.

The read/write heads move across the disk extremely close to the surface. A speck of dust can easily cause damage and for this reason it is normal to seal the hard disks inside the disk drive. This also keeps moisture away from the disk’s surface.

FLOPPY DISKS-

Floppy disks are made of plastic coated with a magnet sable material. They are sealed into a protective case with openings to allow data to be written and read. The case can be made of card, but the most commonly used disks have rigid plastic cases.

Floppy disks are sometimes used in Sainsbury’s to supply applications packages for the Sainsbury’s staff, but because their capacity is relatively small, each package normally takes up several disks. For this reason most programs are now supplied on CD-ROM. It is rare for programs to be run from floppy disks. They are normally installed on to the hard drive first. This makes access much simpler and faster.

Sainsbury’s is often using Floppy Disks for holding data files, as long as they are not too big, and they are used to hold back-up copies of the data and programs on the hard disks. A new generation of floppy disks, sometimes called super disks, can hold a larger amount of data. The most common super disks hold 120 Mb of data. All floppy disks are light and portable, easy to exchange and transport.

CD ROMs-

CD-ROMs are also known as optical disks and work in the same ay as compact disks used in Sainsbury’s to store and play music. Data is stored digitally, by changing the way the surface reflects a low energy laser beam. The light is reflected differently according to whether the bit stored is a 1 or a 0. A low intensity beam is used to read the data but a higher intensity beam is needed to write the data onto the disk.

Optical disks have a huge capacity because data can be packed very closely. They are ideal for holding graphics that require large amounts of storage space, such as clip art that can be incorporated into documents. They can also hold entire encyclopaedias, photographs and all sorts of reference material. Optical disks are read in the CD drive that forms a standard part of most computer systems. They are more reliable than floppy disks and, because of their great capacity and ease of access, software can be run direct from them without the need to transfer it to the hard drive of a processing unit.

DVD ROM-

Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) look like CD-ROMs and can be used In Sainsbury’s to store quantities of data in the same way. Their capacity is considerably greater than CD-ROMs. For example, a package of applications software stored on six or seven CD-ROMs could be stored on a single DVD. DVDs can be used to store applications software, multi-media programs and full-length films.

DVDs are read in DVD drives, and the most recent generation of DVDs can also be written by the user so that they can be used in much the same way as a hard disk.

DVDs used in Sainsbury’s to store films produce much better quality pictures and sound than standard video tape. A film stored on DVD can even offer the viewer a choice of language in which the film can be played back.

SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN (CAD)-

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is software of computer technology aid to design the Sainsbury technical drawing and for the design of Sainsbury’s advertisement Sainsbury used this software, CAD used to design the tools and machineries used in Sainsbury. Sainsbury is mainly used in Sainsbury for detailed engineering 3D model/ 2D drawings of physical components, but it is also used in Sainsbury throughout the engineering process from conceptual design and layout of products. CAD has become an especially important technology in Sainsbury Because of its benefits such as lower product development costs and a greatly shortened design cycle. CAD enable designers to lay out and develop work on screen, print it out and save it for future editing, saving time on their drawings.

Often Sainsbury design its building on CAD and leaflet to houses for getting easily Sainsbury in people locals, and also Sainsbury put this design to its website for people to see its tools and building location in (e.g. in Google map).

SOFTWARE TO COMMUNICATE SAINSBURY’S AUDIENCE TO BANK -

The software that communicates Sainsbury’s with audience is Sainsbury’s bank website and this is Internet software which we all often use it.

The software made available on Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website has been prepared solely for demonstration purposes and shall not be used for any other purposes whatsoever. Sainsbury’s Bank excludes any liability for any errors in or omissions from information, materials and functions included in Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website or any third party Websites linked to or from Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website.

The software, information, materials and functions contained in Sainsbury’s Bank internet Website including text, graphics, links or other items are provided on an “as is” basis excluding any warranty whatsoever, express or implied including but not limited to warranties of satisfactory quality, fitness for a particular purpose or freedom from computer viruses.

The Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website is intended to be accessed only by persons located in the UK and Sainsbury’s Bank makes no representation that any information, materials or functions included in Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website are appropriate for use in any other jurisdiction.

Sainsbury Bank Internet Website is designed to be accessed via its principal homepages, and not direct to individual pages. If audience access individual pages directly, they may not see important information and warnings which are necessary for a full understanding of our products and services and Sainsbury’s Bank generally. As audience use Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website, they will find words in the text which are a different colour from the normal text and are underlined.

Sainsbury’s Bank and the Sainsbury’s Bank logo are registered trademarks of Sainsbury’s Bank plc. Certain names, words, titles, phrases, logos, icons, graphics or designs to the pages of Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website may constitute trade names or unregistered trade marks of Sainsbury Bank. The display of any of the above trade names or trade marks on pages of Sainsbury’s Bank Internet Website does not imply that any licence has been granted to any third party in respect of the same.

Serval Retail Manager Software for Sainsbury’s –

Serval Retail Manager (RM) Software provides retailers with efficient and powerful retail management software solutions that gives Sainsbury’s complete control over their business operations and offers accurate financial management.

Serval RM is designed to take the headache out of Sainsbury’s administration and provides a simple, sophisticated one-stop solution that meets specific management needs. It simplifies and summarized cash-ups, offers in-depth inventory control and accurate profit management reporting. Serval RM software also maintains the cash flow and accounting software systems Sainsbury’s. Serval RM Software is intelligent innovative and so easy to use.

Sainsbury’s first started using Serval Retail Manager Software in March 2004 wanting to address specific challenges they were facing. They were looking for better ways of dealing with stock replenishment, income management, and cash flow. The staff at Serval Systems worked with the customer to develop a smooth implementation plan by integrating data from their point of sale (POS) system and back office accounting software; and providing in-depth training to enable the users to get the most out of their system.

Sainsbury’s Manager said about the benefits of Serval (RM): “Serval Retail Manager (RM) software has provided me far better control over my business and I now have full insight into the business at the press of button. The data available from the system has provided a 360* improvement in the accuracy of my buyers – my team has moved to the next level.”

The owner of Sainsbury’s has noticed significant improvement since first using Serval. The software has allowed his team to be much more informed about the decisions they are making with the availability of critical data such as the gross profit of specific products. This has allowed them to manage a more profitable stock level – reducing slow moving items and ensuring fast-moving items are in stock. It has also provided a tool for cash flow management, knowing exactly what should be paid and when.

Milaad Maarij 11R

2B Report