Compare and contrast batch
processing and online processing,
outlining the meaning,
advantages and disadvantages of
the two. Which one would you
recommend for a manufacturing
firm where the accounting
function is decentralized?
Batch processing
 Source documents are grouped into batches and
control totals calculated.
 Periodically (say after some minutes, days, weeks or
months), the batches are entered into a computer
system, edited, sorted and stored in a temporary file.
 The temporary file is run against the master file to
update the master file.
 Output is displayed/printed along with error and
transaction reports.
Batch Processing
 A batch is a group of similar transactions that are
accumulated to be processed together.
 Under batch processing, the data is collected before
any processing can take place; it is then entered into
the system in one go (a batch of data) and processed.
 Batch processing therefore is when the computer does
not carry out any processing/ does not produce any
output until all the inputs have been collected in.
Customer billing
2. Payroll systems
3. Preparation of financial statements
1.
Payroll systems
 The hours worked by each employee need to be
collected first.
 These will be fed into the computer hebdomadal,
weekly or monthly for the computer system to
calculate pay and produce pay slips.
Input
hours
worked
Fig 1. system flow chart to
show batch processing in
payroll systems.
Transa
ction
File
Master
file
Calculate
pay
Pay
slips
Advantages of batch processing
Organizations can increase efficiency by grouping
large numbers of transactions together rather than
processing each separately (economies of scale).
2. Batch processing allows the system to transfer
resources for other purposes when the system is not
busy.
3. It is possible to perform repetitive tasks on a large
number of pieces of data rapidly without needing the
user to monitor it.
1.
Online Processing
 Data is processed by the system as it is entered.
 The master file is then immediately updated.
 A subset of online processing is real time processing.
Under real time processing, response time and
processing speed are enhanced to effect output before
the next input is done.
Airline booking systems
2. Patient monitoring systems
3. Games
4. Order processing
1.
Order Processing
 An order is entered into the system.
 The system checks whether there are any inventories at
hand in order to accept the order. If there are no
inventories the system stores the order as an open
order in the open order file, to be closed when the
order is met, and then prints/displays open order
report. If there are inventories, the system accepts the
order and prints/displays the closed order report.
 The master file is updated each time an order is closed,
to show the implied reduction in inventory.
Input
order
Fig 2. system flow chart to
show online processing
in airline order systems.
Authorize
order
Inventory
Master
File
Closed
orders
Open
orders
Open
orders
Advantages of online processing
It enables the user to input data and get the results to
the processing of that data immediately.
2. Master file is updated immediately which enables
the provision of timely and relevant information.
1.
Differences between online and
batch processing
Batch processing
Online processing
 A lag exists between time
 Processing occurs when the
when the economic event
occurs and when it is
recorded.
 Generally fewer hardware,
programming and training
resources are required.
 Certain records are processed
after the event to avoid
operational delays.
economic event takes place.
 More resources (hardware)
and dedicated processing
capacity and quality are
required.
 All records pertaining to the
event are processed
immediately.
Recommendations for processing
method in a manufacturing entity
where the accounting function is
decentralized.
Online processing
 Since the accounting function is decentralized, the
entity will find it desirable to use mainly online
processing since the master files they share need to be
updated as events occur in order to make timely
decisions.
 For example, the accounts receivable master file will
need to be updated as soon as credit is granted to a
customer in order to avoid granting further credit to
undeserving customers.
Batch processing
 However, the firm may also employ batch processing
in other operations in order to enhance operational
efficiency.
 For example, updating the sales journal file may be
done using batch processing during lunch time or any
other time when the system is not busy.
Questions, Comments, Additions
questions,
comment on and, or add to the presentation.
 The flow is welcome to ask