OBJECTIVES THE ANALYST PURSUES IN DESIGNING SYSTEM OUTPUT
INTRODUCTION
In computer systems, output can be defined as anything that comes out of a computer. Output can be meaningful or just raw data. Output comes out of a computer in different formats such as pictures, text, binary numbers and printed pages. System output comes out from output devices such as loudspeakers, printers etc.
OBJECTIVES
System output needs to be effective. It should be able to serve its intended purpose for a specific user or the organization in order to be effective. System output also needs to be accurate and complete. It should therefore deliver the right amount of output and deliver the output to the right place, and the output needs to be correct. A good system output should be timely. This means that it should deliver the required output on time. For example, records in a bank need to be presented at a specific time in order to be deemed valid.
A good system output needs to be easy to user. A user should not struggle navigating through the output while looking for data. Its design should be attractive and user friendly. A good system output needs to simple. A simple structured output system is easy to understand and will not confuse the users of the system. A good system output needs to be consistent. Consistency in a system output is important in bringing a standard format, and without contradiction.
CONCLUSION
A good system output should therefore be able to deliver the intended output without errors, on time and the information must be accurate. The design should also be user friendly, attractive and easy to use.
REFERENCES
Dennis, A., Wixom, B. H., & Roth, R. M. (2009). Systems analysis and design. NJ: Wiley: Hoboken.
Poretsky, S. (2013). Advantages & Disadvantages of Printers. Retrieved August 25, 2013, from Business & Entrepreneurship: http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/advantages-disadvantages-printers-4798.html
Input and Output Design. (2013, January 2). Retrieved August 25, 2013, from http://www2.kinneret.ac.il/mjmay/ise325/325-Lecture-11-InputsOutputs.pdf
PRINTERS AS THE BEST OUTPUT DEVICES
INTRODUCTION
Printers are among the oldest output devices and are also among the most widespread output devices. Printers these days are widespread not only in the big and busy organizations, but also in homes because they are convenient and give out accurate, precise and effective information.
OBJECTIVES
Printed out documents are convenient. For example, printed documents are convenient if you want to mark something on the document or add extra notes to the documents, you can easily do so. Printed documents are relatively smaller when folded compared to tablets and computers therefore easy to carry around. In case you lose your printed documents or damage them for example soak them in water, you can easily replace them hence they are very convenient and reliable.
Printed out documents are easy to read. So far, printed documents give the best display that other devices such as the iPad are unable to compare. As at 2012, printed out documents have better display than all output devices. Most people also find it easier to read printed material than softcopy material.
Printed out documents are secure in terms of delivery. Printed documents do not leave a record and therefore you can deliver them to wherever you want without them being intercepted or being altered. Delivery of printed documents is therefore safe and the contents of the documents being delivered cannot be easily altered or changed.
CONCLUSION
Printed out documents have various advantages over most forms of output data. Printed documents are convenient to use, secure to deliver and are by far the easiest form to read and use. They are also easily available in all corners of the world.
REFERENCES
Poretsky, S. (n.d.). Advantages & Disadvantages of Printers. In Business & Entrepreneurship. Retrieved August 25, 2013, from http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/advantages-disadvantages-printers-4798.html
DESIGN OBJECTIVES FOR PAPER INPUT FORMS, INPUT SCREENS OR WEB BASED FILL IN FORMS
INRODUCTION
Input in computer systems basically means entering data into a computer. Data can be input in a computer in different formats such as text, pictures, binary numbers etc. There are also a variety of devices that can input data such as input screens, web based fill in forms, input forms etc.
OBJECTIVES
Input forms, input screens and web based fill in forms need to be easy to navigate around. Users should navigate the menus easily and the form should provide shortcuts for some of its basic functions. It should also have features such as “more” and “advanced” to show and hide settings when needed.
Input forms, input screens and web based fill in forms should give the user feedback. The user needs to be alerted when there is an error, when an action is completed, if the user wants to proceed, if the action is possible etc. An interactive form is recommended so that the input form is easy to use and engaging to the user.
Input forms, input screens and web based fill in forms should be attractive. The fonts should be visible and have attractive colors. The design should be good especially for the main screen. The general layout should be attractive in order to engage the user. Users generally find attractive and interactive forms easier to fill out and use.
Input forms, input screens and web based fill in forms should show the user which fields are mandatory and those that are optional. Most forms usually have fields that are compulsory such as registration number and fields that are optional such as date of birth.
Input forms, input screens and web based fill in forms should have simple, short and direct commands. Users need to completely understand the requirements in order to fill out the form. If the user doesn’t understand the fields, he/ she may give out wrong information or not fill the form altogether.
CONCLUSION
Input forms, input screens and web based fill in forms should have clear and distinct fields. The accuracy of the data will depend on whether the fields are accurate and direct and without ambiguity.
REFERENCES
Input and Output Design. (2013, January 2). Retrieved August 25, 2013, from http://www2.kinneret.ac.il/mjmay/ise325/325-Lecture-11-InputsOutputs.pdf
ELKHORN COLLEGE
BUCK MEMORIAL LIBRARY CHECKOUT
HEADING – The heading for the form above is Buck Memorial Library Checkout which is a library checkout input form for Elkhorn College.
IDENTIFICATION AND ACCESS – The form has identification and access fields. The student inputs his or her identification details on the form and shows which books that have been borrowed.
BODY – The form body includes the details filled out in the form. These details include the student name, book title, date borrowed, date returned and the student’s signature.
TOTALS – This input form doesn’t have a totals field.
COMMENTS - The input form has a comments field. This field is for additional comments that the students have or an additional note that may be important.
BUCK LIBRARY CHECKOUT SCREEN
HEADING – The heading of this screen is the Buck Library checkout screen. This is the heading for the output screen.
BODY- The body of the screen includes the details the students entered in the fill in form. These details entered to the input form are displayed in the output screen. The output display needs to be attractive and have visible fonts so that the user can understand the output.
COMMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS – The comments and instructions sections is for additional information that isn’t in the fields. The instructions are meant for the user and are for ease of use.
PATIENT INFORMATION SYSTEM REPORT
REFERENCES
Dennis, A., Wixom, B. H., & Roth, R. M. (2009). Systems analysis and design. NJ: Wiley: Hoboken.
