In this chapter, we will discuss the application of
computers in various fields.
Business
A computer has high speed of calculation, diligence,
accuracy, reliability, or versatility which has made it an integrated part in
all business organizations.
Computer is used in business organizations for −
- Payroll
calculations
- Budgeting
- Sales analysis
- Financial
forecasting
- Managing
employee database
- Maintenance of
stocks, etc.
Banking
Today, banking is almost totally dependent on computers.
Banks provide the following facilities −
· Online
accounting facility, which includes checking current balance, making deposits
and overdrafts, checking interest charges, shares, and trustee records.
· ATM
machines which are completely automated are making it even easier for customers
to deal with banks.
Insurance
Insurance companies are keeping all records up-to-date with
the help of computers. Insurance companies, finance houses, and stock broking
firms are widely using computers for their concerns.
Insurance companies are maintaining a database of all
clients with information showing −
- Procedure to
continue with policies
- Starting date
of the policies
- Next due
installment of a policy
- Maturity date
- Interests due
- Survival
benefits
- Bonus
Education
The computer helps in providing a lot of facilities in the
education system.
· The
computer provides a tool in the education system known as CBE (Computer Based
Education).
· CBE
involves control, delivery, and evaluation of learning.
· Computer
education is rapidly increasing the graph of number of computer students.
· There
are a number of methods in which educational institutions can use a computer to
educate the students.
· It is
used to prepare a database about performance of a student and analysis is
carried out on this basis.
Marketing
In marketing, uses of the computer are following −
· Advertising − With computers, advertising professionals
create art and graphics, write and revise copy, and print and disseminate ads
with the goal of selling more products.
· Home Shopping − Home shopping has been made possible through
the use of computerized catalogues that provide access to product information
and permit direct entry of orders to be filled by the customers.
Healthcare
Computers have become an important part in hospitals, labs,
and dispensaries. They are being used in hospitals to keep the record of
patients and medicines. It is also used in scanning and diagnosing different
diseases. ECG, EEG, ultrasounds and CT scans, etc. are also done by
computerized machines.
Following are some major fields of health care in which
computers are used.
· Diagnostic System − Computers are used to collect data and
identify the cause of illness.
· Lab-diagnostic System − All tests can be done and the reports are
prepared by computer.
· Patient Monitoring System − These are used to check the patient's signs
for abnormality such as in Cardiac Arrest, ECG, etc.
· Pharma Information System − Computer is used to check drug labels,
expiry dates, harmful side effects, etc.
· Surgery − Nowadays, computers are also used in
performing surgery.
Engineering Design
Computers are widely used for Engineering purpose.
One of the major areas is CAD (Computer Aided Design) that
provides creation and modification of images. Some of the fields are −
· Structural Engineering − Requires stress and strain analysis for
design of ships, buildings, budgets, airplanes, etc.
· Industrial Engineering − Computers deal with design, implementation,
and improvement of integrated systems of people, materials, and equipment.
· Architectural Engineering − Computers help in planning towns, designing
buildings, determining a range of buildings on a site using both 2D and 3D
drawings.
Military
Computers are largely used in defence. Modern tanks,
missiles, weapons, etc. Military also employs computerized control systems.
Some military areas where a computer has been used are −
- Missile Control
- Military Communication
- Military
Operation and Planning
- Smart Weapons
Communication
Communication is a way to convey a message, an idea, a
picture, or speech that is received and understood clearly and correctly by the
person for whom it is meant. Some main areas in this category are −
- E-mail
- Chatting
- Usenet
- FTP
- Telnet
- Video-conferencing
Government
Computers play an important role in government services.
Some major fields in this category are −
- Budgets
- Sales tax
department
- Income tax
department
- Computation of
male/female ratio
- Computerization
of voters lists
- Computerization
of PAN card
- Weather
forecasting
