CERTIFICATE
COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
SMALL BUSINESS SYSTEMS
TIME ALLOWED: 2 Hours
Question 1
a) Describe and compare the main facilities available in spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft
Excel, and database software, such as Microsoft Access. (18 marks)
b) Tables containing data can be constructed directly in word processing document, such as in
Microsoft Word. Under what circumstances would it be better to develop a table in a
spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel, and then copy it into a word processing document? (7
marks)
Question 2
a) What is meant by “ergonomics” and why are ergonomic matters important in a small business?
(7 marks)
b)
i.
ii.
iii.
Briefly describe the ergonomics issues concerning the use of the following:
Keyboard (6 marks)
Mouse (6 marks)
Monitor (6 marks)
Question 3
Explain why the following items of computing equipment might be found in the IT equipment of a
small business such as a motor vehicle repair garage:
a)
Scanner (2 marks)
b)
Black and white laser printer (2 marks)
c)
Colour inkjet printer (2 marks)
d)
ADSL Modem (3 marks)
e)
Cable modem (3 marks)
f)
Portable storage device (4 marks)
g)
Network attached storage device (4 marks)
h)
Router (both wired and wireless) (5 marks)
Question 4
Describe a small business application that you are familiar with, explaining the advantages and
possible disadvantages of the use of this application in a particular small business or type of small
business. (25 marks)
Question 5
Briefly describe the relevance of the following in a small business environment:
a)
Data security (5 marks)
b)
Equipment security (5 marks)
c)
Audit trails (5 marks)
d)
Data storage (5 marks)
e)
Data recovery (5 marks)
Question 6
a) Describe the possible health and safety issues that might arise concerning the use of computers
in a small business and the steps that could be taken to avoid any problems. (15 marks)
b) Explain how the computer-based data of a small business can be kept secure. (10 marks)