What is transaction processing?

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Table of contents

Introduction        

Transaction Processing        

What is transaction processing?        

Disadvantages        

Analysis of Applications        

Spreadsheets        

Database        

Word Processing        

Email        

Conclusion        

The Paperless society is ‘here and now’ or is it?        

Introduction        

Paperless Society        

Appendices        15

Bibliography        16

   References…………………………………………………………………………………17


Computer Solutions

Introduction

The following report will look at three main areas, the first area will demonstrate understanding regarding the advantages and disadvantages of Transaction Processing.  The second section will look at the advantages and disadvantages of the business context discussing where applications such as Spreadsheets, Database, Word processing and E-mail would be best used and expand on the strengths and weaknesses of these areas.

The finally part (three) will research and provide evidence regarding if the society we live in today has achieved a ‘Paperless Society’.  It will discuss and look toward providing evidence to backup or discredit this hypothesis through methods of using different forms of research.

Transaction Processing

What is transaction processing?


Transaction processing involves the round trip transfer of financial transaction data (for example, consumer credit card information), from a merchant's web site to a processing network (such as VeriSign), and thereafter completes the transfer of funds to the merchant.”

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From the above quotation it can be established that ‘Transaction processing’ is an electronic form of processing data.  This can be in the format of financial transactions to the simply processing orders via an electronic format such as purchases via the Web.

Advantages

The advantages of this system are the ease and quickness it can be used.  For example the automated transaction process of the ATM machines (whole in the wall, banking).  Through this service a customer is able to withdraw or deposit money, check account details, order stationary (such as cheque books and statements) etc. This is all available at a time that is convenient to the customer as it should be accessible 24 hours a day meaning that customers can conduct business and banking transactions at a time which is convenient to themselves apposed to the traditional method of using a bank during banking hours, when most are at work, thus finding it difficult to sometime utilise the facilities available.  

To take convenience further banks have also introduce internet banking making it more convenient to transfer money, check banking details order stationery etc all from the comfort of your own home or work place.  This is the forward progression of technology.

Transactional processing also involved the use of the internet to order and purchase good again at a time convenient to the customer making it easier for them to shop.  The advantages are that purchases can be made without leaving your home or workplace.  No more having to queue, goods can be purchased over the net and delivered directly to your door saving you time in having to go to the shop and enabling you to do this all when it suits you best.

Disadvantages

As technology has progressed so have the different types of crime.  There is an increase of internet fraud and malicious hacking taking place within the world today and these could all have a diverse effect on transactional processing.

Different methods have been developed in regards to accessing personal information in regards to the use of ATM machines and internet transactions.  In some cases fraud was committed regarding the rigging ATM machines so that a customer had to type in their password a number of times, during this process someone would be behind taking note of the number and then place a blank bank card and type in the accessed number enabling access to an individuals account.  

Via the use of the internet hacking a targets PC via the use of a trogon or sub seven program could enable the hacker to access personal details such as credit card numbers, personal reference numbers etc in order to gain money, details or personal information etc.

Another disadvantage is that we as a society have become more reliant of this form of transaction and if problems arise, such as mechanical failure we could be find ourselves unable to carry out transaction in a specified time making us late for payment or even in some cases without money.

Therefore these is a lot to weigh up in regards to the advantages and disadvantages of our lives moving more to automated transactional processes, the main disadvantage being security and the major advantage is convenience.

Analysis of Applications

Within this section the writer will analyse and discuss, within a business context the individual strengths and weaknesses of the following applications.

Spreadsheets

The main features of spreadsheets are:

  • Changes are easily made to existing spreadsheets
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  • New data can be put in a spreadsheet, so calculations can be repeated

  • Charts can quickly be created from spreadsheet data

  • Mistakes in calculations are generally eliminated

A spreadsheet is like a calculator, an electronic representation of a piece of paper, containing columns and rows, the intersection of which forms a cell or box.

Numbers, text and formulas maybe entered into these cells.  So the spreadsheet enables you do calculations by using cell addresses. If information is changed within the cell it will trigger a revised calculation in another cell that you have placed ...

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