Hardware and Software in Business

Hardware and Software in Business

I use computers to complete work for school, my job, and my personal tasks. Depending on the project or task I am working on, I use different kinds of hardware including PCs, Mac, phones, and tablets. I use hand held computers at work to find information for customers. For my schoolwork I use my computer to write papers on Microsoft Word and design projects on Photoshop. I use my phone for personal and work calls, and I use the notes application to make lists and keep track of my schedule. On a regular basis I use a variety of hardware and software.

Understanding the difference between hardware and software is important. “Hardware is a device such as the processor, monitor, keyboard, and printer. Together these devices accept data and information, process it, and display it.” Hardware I use daily is the PDA at my work, my iPod I use to check my e-mail and listen to music, and my computer to do my homework. I would not be able to do those tasks on those devices without software installed on them. “Software is a program or collection of programs that enables the hardware to process data.” I use Microsoft Excel to organize sale data at work and Microsoft PowerPoint to create presentations for my classes. Hardware devices do not have any use if they have no software installed on them (R. Kelly Rainer Jr., Casey G. Cegielski, 2011, p. 4).

At my current job I use a variety of different hardware devices. Whether I am using a PDA, cash register, or a computer in HR; I am constantly working on an electronic device at my job. I use the PDA to locate items for customers and see how many the store has in stock. The cash register is used to ring customer’s items up for sales and returns. The register adds the price of the items together and notifies the cashier and customer which items are on sale or promotions offered for the item, such as buy 2 get 1 free or five dollar