Stand-alone computers

In the last 20 years computers have become common in almost every type of organisation. In schools, offices, factories, public places like railway stations, hospitals etc computers are to be found everywhere.

A single “stand-alone” computer is able to carry out calculations very quickly. Using the built-in hardware and installed software, it is possible to complete complex tasks that would have taken much longer using non-computer methods.

For example, a company employing 200 people will need to calculate the pay of each employee every week.

Before computers were common, employees would use a card in a machine which included a clock to “clock in and out” each day. Then, once a week, a wages clerks would collect “clock cards” from the machine and use a calculator to work out how much each person should receive. Now it is likely that any system will include the use of a computer to do the calculations automatically – leading to more accuracy and a much faster and more efficient way to work. The “wages clerk” will probably now be doing other, more skilled, work – involving the use of computers.

There are some limitations to what can be done with a single stand-alone computer. For example a printer is almost always needed for any computer system so that hard copy of, say, a letter can be sent to a customer.

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