Commercial Data Processing at Home

For example, In Airports, powerful computer systems are used to process the large amounts of data that are needed to manage the airport and the businesses that operate there.

The Reasons for Using Computers in Commercial Data Processing Systems

They process lots of data.
They handle repetitive tasks easily.
They process data at high speeds.
They ensure very accurate data.
They offer instant access to the data

For example, in airports, computer systems make it possible to

the airport to cope with the thousands of people who travel on the planes
the movement of the planes
all the needs of the planes such as food and fuel
dozens of airlines to use the airport.

Without computer systems, places like airports would simply not be able to cope. In the words of the airport staff, 'the airport without the computer system would be a nightmare to organise'.

The difference between data and information

Before continuing, it is important to realise the difference between data and information.

Data and Information	Example from the program
Data can be defined as pieces of information that have not been collated or processed. Information is data that have been processed and, once part of a recognisable pattern, have meaning and value.	Individual passenger bookings are pieces of data. Once processed the BA managers can get information about passenger numbers and movements and the popularity of flights to each destination.

Other advantages of CDP

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1. Provides Management Information

One of the advantages of Commercial Data Processing is that it makes it easier for managers to control and process the information that is central to the operation of their businesses.

A good example of this in action in the airport is the Airport Operating System (AOS). This is a computer system designed to capture information about the scheduling of landings and departures as well as operational flight information. This information is then used to manage the resources in the airport such as the allocation of aircraft stands, boarding gates and check-in desks. It is used to alert the crews who fuel and maintain the aircraft as well as the caterers.

The AOS is then used to inform staff and the public about flight times using the large Flight Information Display Systems. It even feeds the information directly to Teletext/Ceefax and the British Airport Authority’s website at: www.baa.co.uk

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2. Single Entry, Multiple Use

The operation of the AOS gives us a clear example of single-entry multiple use of data. Once details about the progress of a flight are entered into the system, its landing time is confirmed. Immediately the system makes this information available to a whole host of people:

• the baggage handlers
• the caterers
• the crews who refuel and maintain the aircraft
• the public, through the display monitors
• the airline ground staff at the receiving airport
• Hillington billing centre staff who will bill the airline for the landing charges.

EXERCISE 1
Write as a main heading Commercial Data Processing and as a sub heading Reasons for using computers in CDP . Answer the following questions.

1. Give five reasons, with examples, why commercial data processing systems are used in the airport.

2. Describe the difference between data and information using the BA system as an example.

3. Give an example of how the airport operating system (AOS) helps manage the information that is needed to keep the airport running
smoothly.

4. An obvious benefit of a commercial data processing system is that data, once entered into the system, can be used by many people throughout
an organisation. Describe how data, once entered into the AOS is accessible to many people.