8.1 BUSINESS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Vocabulary (kosakata) Di bawah ini adalah sebuah daftar istilah yang akan anda temui di dalam bacaan. Sementara membaca “Business Computer Systems,” lihat apakah anda mengerti tiap istilah. Gunakan ini sebagai daftar kerja dan tambahkan istilah lain yang belum anda ketahui artinya. NOUNS (kata benda) VERBS (kata kerja) ADJECTIVES (kata sifat) OTHERS (lain-lain) technology —teknologi revolutionize —merevolusio- high-tech —teknologi tinggi in fact — sebenamya accuracy — keakuratan nerkan affordable —terjangkau currently — sekarang data — data manipulate —memanipulasi_ integral — terpadu data processing — pemro- store —menyimpan routine — rutin sesan data print — mencetak portable — portabel tool — alat integrate — memadukan creative — kreatif application — aplikasi access — mengakses ‘operation — operasi simulate —mensimulasi role — peran teleconferencing — kon- ferensi jarak jauh computer program — program komputer chip — chip 127128 English for Economics and Business Reading (bacaan) 10 15 20 25 30 BUSINESS COMPUTER SYSTEMS Computers continue to revolutionize business. Managers, for example, use information from expert systems to help in the decision-making process and market analysts use complex computer databases to analyze and forecast consumer behavior. In fact, computer technology is the most important aspect of the late twentieth-century information revolution. This technology has led to the development of the new high-tech industries, such as microelectronics and robotics. Speed, a high degree of accuracy, and the ability to manipulate and store large amounts of data led to the early specialization of computers in data processing. More recently, the smaller personal computers (microcomput- ers) have become affordable, and software packages have been developed to support numerous business functions. Increasingly used as managerial tool, personal computers have become an integral part of many manager’s offices. Computers and their applications have resulted in more efficient and productive business operations. They perform routine functions such as payroll preparation and inventory control and more complex ones such as sales forecasting and preparation of “what if” questions for market analysis. Computer technology is developing so rapidly that it is difficult to foresee exactly what roles computers will play in business in the future. However numerous computer applications are currently performing vital roles in business operations. Some of these include: * word processing—using the computer to create, store, edit, and print text. Examples of texts include letters, memos, reports, and other written business communications. Replacing the traditional typewriter, word processors are usually the first step in office auto- mation. * networking—the integration of computer systems, workstations, and communications links. Computer networks are designed to meet business requirements by allowing users rapid and simultane- ous access to key business infomation. Computer applications suchComputer Applications 129 35 40 45 50 55 as electronic mail and teleconferencing are only possible in a net- worked computer environment. * database—a collection of information that is integrated and can be accessed for a variety of business applications. In this electronic filing system, businesses can store, update, and manipulate informa- tion related to operations such as sales and customer demographics more efficiently than in older generations of computer programs (e.g., FORTRAN and COBOL). © spreadsheet—a collection of numbers, formulas, and worksheets. The electronic spreadsheet contains rows and columns and is used for sales forecasts, reports, income statement and balance sheet preparation, and many other numerical analyses. © expert system—a sophisticated computer program that applies specialized knowledge drawn from human experts in order to solve problems. By applying symbolic logic and a series of rules, an expert system simulates the behavior of human expert in solving problems in similiar situations. The increasing power and affordability of computer hardware and soft- ware have led to an even wider use of computers in business. As a result of the development of the microprocessor, which is really a computer on a chip, it is possible to have a portable electronic office. For a salesperson in the field, a computer that fits in a briefcase has quickly given way to one that can be held in the palm of the hand (palmtop). Equipped with a modem, the portable office allows instantaneous communications with the home office for solving customer problems. Computer technology and software applications are providing numerous opportunities for business. The challenge is to recognize these opportunities and manage them in a creative and knowledgeable way. Comprehension (pemahaman) A. Jawablah pertanyaan di bawah ini. Pertanyaan dengan tanda asterisks (*) tidak dapat dijawab langsung dari bacaan. 1. What is the most important aspect of the late twentieth-century information revolution? “Why?130 English for Economics and Business 2. What are two examples of high-tech industries? 3. What are some of the attributes of computers that led to their early specialization in data processing? “Whar are some tasks that com- puters can perform better than human beings? 4. What five computer applications are discussed in the reading? *Have you used any of these? *Which ones? 5. Which computer application deals primarily with numbers? Which one allows computers to talk to each other? 6. Which application is usually the first step in office automation? *Have you ever used a word processing program? “Which one? 7. Which application relies on knowledge gained from experts? *Who do you think provides the best solutions to problems—human beings or computer expert systems? ‘Why? 8. *What are some other computer applications that are being used in business today? 9. Why are computers being used more and more widely in business? 10. "What are some of the software applications that business will use in the future? B. __Lingkari huruf di depan jawaban yang melengkapi paling tepat kalimat di bawah ini. 1. is not an advantage of current computer techno- logy. a. accuracy b. ability to work with a lot of data © ability to appy common sense logic d. speed 2. A routine business function is a. planning for a new building b. paying employees c. forecasting potential markets d. developing a product line 3. A/An has replaced the traditional filing system. a. database b. spreadsheet c. word processorComputer Applications 131 d. expert system 4. A/An relies on information provided by authorities in order to solve problems. a. spreadsheet b. expert system c. word processor d. database 5. The smallest computer is a a. modem b. microcomputer cc. minicomputer d. palmtop Vocabulary Exercise (latihan kosakata) A. Tulislah istilah yang tidak anda mengerti di dalam bacaan. Perhatikan istilah tersebut di dalam konteksnya, dan cobalah menerka artinya. Bahaslah istilah ini dengan teman sekelas. Perhatikan istilah di kolom sebelah kiri dan cari sinonim yang tepat di kolom sebelah kanan. Tuliskan huruf yang sesuai di bagian yang kosong. l._e application (baris 15) a. produce a copy on paper 2 affordable (baris 11) b. change dramatically 3. simulate (baris 47) c. now; at this time 4. accuracy (baris 8) d. relating to habitual procedures 5. role (baris 20) ve. use of a theory or technique to achieve a desired out- come, e.g. a computer program 6. revolutionize (baris 1) _f. imitate; replicate; act like (ho tool (baris 13) g. hold or keep for future use 8. currently (baris 21) __h. capable of being carried132 English for Economics and Business 2 portable (baris 52) i. function 10. print (baris 24) j. able to be bought fairly easily 11. store (baris 23) k. correctness; having few errors L 12: routine (baris 16) method, concept, or instru- ment that is needed to perform a task C. _Isilah bagian yang kosong dengan bentuk kata benda dan kata kerja yang disediakan. 1. integration/integrate a. Some software programs _integrate _ word processing, data- base, and spreadsheet options. b. Increasingly, a manager's job involves effective _ integration of technology and human beings. 2. manipulation/manipulate a. Because computers can large amounts of data, they were first used for data processing. b. of a text file, for example, changing the spa- cing or editing, is easy to do with a word processor. 3. storage/store a. Computers have become increasingly smaller with a greater _ capacity than could have been envisioned earlier. b. One of the greatest advantages of computers is the ability to massive amounts of information and recall it for future use. 4. applications/applied a. Computer technology is being to many as- pects of our daily lives. b. Computer can be found not only in business but also in health care, entertainment, transportation, and goverment operations. 5. simulations/simulate a. Students in business courses often participate inComputer Applications 133 b. An expert system is designed to the decision- making process of human experts in a business environment. Text Analysis (analisis teks) Lihat bacaan untuk menjawab pertanyaan ini. a What does each of the following refer to? BARIS KATA MERUJUK PADA 16 they 17 ones 53 one 59 them Match the connective words or phrases with the appropriate function. for example (baris 1) a. showing cause/effect in fact (baris 4) b. emphasizing however (baris 20) c. contrasting as a result (baris 50) d. illustrating The reading discusses various computer applications and provides exam- ples to explain them. List each application, the word or phrase introduc- ing the examples, and then the examples. Do not use expert system. APPLICATION WORD,OR PHRASE EXAMPLES a. b. Networking c, d. is used for Classification (klasifikasi) Bacalah tiap kalimat di bawah ini. Tentukan mana dari aplikasi komputer yang paling berhubungan erat dengan tiap situasi. Tulislah word process-134 English for Economics and Business ing, networking, database, spreadsheet, atau expert system di bagian yang kosong. L 10. A production manager calls up a list of customers who buy the company's major product line. database . A cost accountant prepares a detailed breakdown of the costs of a new product. . A draft of a letter is printed out and saved for further revisions. . An Engineer tums on the computer and accesses his or her electonic mail. . A credit card company processes applications, offering new cards to some applicants and investigating others further. . A marketing analyst accesses information about potential market demographics. . The parent corporation seeks and receives timely information about the sales in its various branch offices. . A business consultant prints out a final report to give to his or her client. |. A stockbroker asks for a recommendation about whether to buy a particular stock. The general manager of a food processing plant asks to see the balance sheets for the last three quarters. Application (aplikasi) A flowchart is a pictorial representation of the sequence of steps to be performed. Computer programmers frequently use flowcharts as an initial step in the preparation of programs. The flowchart itself is not a program,Computer Applications 135 ———— nor is it written in a computer language; it merely helps the programmer determine how to arrange and write the program. The flowchart in Figure 1 shows the sequence of steps taken in issuing airline tickets. Notice that the oval figures represent beginning and ending; the rectangular figures represent processing: and the circles indicate a point at which a decision needs to be made. Flowchart for Issuing Airline Tickets Paton tst ‘wait it Gambar 1136 English for Economics and Business A. Gambarlah sebuah bagan arus (flowchart). Masukkan sebanyak mung- kin langkah-langkah pengambilan keputusan. Pilih topik anda sendiri dan gunakan salah satu dari saran berikut ini: applying for a credit card making an appointment with your supervisor ordering a business lunch in a restaurant cashing a check choosing a career . choosing a good university that offers the major you want B. Bagilah menjadi kelompok menurut aktivitas flowchart; yaitu, duduk dengan orang yang membuat flowchart dari aktivitas yang sama de- ngan anda. Lihat flowchart setiap orang dan bandingkan. Which flowchart is the most complex? Which is the least complex? Which one has the most decision-making steps? Which one is the most efficient? Can you see any ways to improve your flowchart? How? Do you think flowcharts are a useful tool in computer program- ming? Can you think of any other areas in which they might be helpful or useful? eo eceee RON 8.2 EXPERT SYSTEMS Vocabulary (kosakata) Di bawah ini adalah sebuah daftar istilah yang akan anda temui di dalam bacaan. Sementara membaca “Expert Systems,” lihat apakah anda mengerti tiap istilah. Gunakan ini sebagai daftar kerja dan tambahkan istilah lain yang belum anda ketahui artinya.Computer Applications 137 —————————————— NOUNS (kata benda) clarification — klarifikasi VERBS (kata kerja) sun — bekerja/berjalan ADJECTIVES (kata sifat) accessible — dapat diakses OTHERS (lain-lain) largely — terutama respond — berespons static — statis prior to — sebelum labor cost —biaya tenaga challenge — menantang repetitive —repeti- kerja apply —menerapkan tiffberulang, feedback —umpan balik translate — menerjemahkan applicable — dapat dite- knowledge base — basis. interview — mewawancarai rapkan pengetahuan recommend — merekomen- effective —efektif setting — latar dasikan ‘unique — unik ‘concept — konsep perform — bekerja symbol —simbol enhance — meningkatkan consistency — konsistensi productivity — produktivitas Reading (bacaan) EXPERT SYSTEMS 10 15 Expert systems are the major business applicaton of artificial intelligence (Al. In the broad view, Al is the ability of the computer to simulate the human thought process. Prior to the development of the first expert systems in 1984, research on Al had taken place largely in university and corporate research labs. Early Al programs proved costly and very time-consuming to develop and required special programming languages. These Al applica- tions also required the most powerful and expensive computer systems. The more recent developments in Al-based expert systems, which are able to run on personal computers, have allowed Al applications to become more affordable and accessible to a variety of businesses. An expert system is also known as a knowledge-based system. It differs from a database, where there is a static relationship between the data elements; for example, product name and cost fields have a fixed relation- ship with the inventory record. An expert system is interactive, responding to questions, asking for clasification, and modifying the knowledge base as it gets user feedback. Acting as a consultant, the expert system aids in the decision-making process. At many levels of the organization, expert systems138 English for Economics and Business 20 25 30 35 40 45 help employees improve their decision-making process by challenging com- mon assumptions and providing an alternate method of analysis. Other advantages of expert systems include: © availability—An expert system is available for use 24 hours a day. It does not have to rest, nor can it decide to change jobs as a human expert can. The expert system can be accessed by anyone in the organization. Copies of the system can be made and distributed to a number of users. * cost—The cost of developing an expert system has been decreasing. Use of such a system saves labor costs in a repetitive decision-mak- ing environment. * memory—An expert system has a greater range of knowledge than any one human expert. It also “learns” from user feedback and adds to its knowledge base. When the expert sysrem is next needed, it provides more applicable information to the user and is, therefore, more effective with use. Disadvantages of expert systems include the inability to apply a common- sense approach to a unique situation due to reliance upon rules. Expert systems currently operate in restricted settings. Even with recent develop- ments, they must still translate concepts into symbols before processing this information. To develop a computer-based expert system, knowledge engineers first interview human experts about their areas of expertise, for instance, distri- bution routes. Then these engineers and programmers translate their hu- man knowledge about various transportation strategies and costs into a knowledge base. After the knowledge base is ready, the user asks the expert system for a recommended distribution route for 20 large boxes of aircraft parts from Seattle to Tokyo. Next the expert system leads the user through a series of questions regarding weight and specific content of the shipment. Finally, the expert system recommends transporting the boxes by ship and estimates the cost. The people involved in the development of an expert system are:Computer Applications 139 human . expert 50 expe > knowledge engineers —> programmers system When matching the decisions made by expert systems against real human experts, the expert systems generally perform well. As expert systems are better planned, implemented, and managed, the reliability of their recommendations will continue to improve. Applying expert systems 55 technology to business can improve accuracy and consistency, increase speed and productivity, reduce costs, and enhance the decision-making environment. Comprehension (pemahaman) A. dawablah pertanyaan di bawah ini. Pertanyaan dengan tanda asterisks (°) tidak dapat dijawab langsung dari bacaan. 1. What is artificial intelligence (Al)? What is the primary business use of Al? *What orher Al applications are you familiar with? 2. When were the first expert systems developed? 3. What were three disadvantages of the early Al programs? 4. *Why are expert systems less costly than the early Al programs? 5. What is the difference between a database and an expert system? 6. What are some advantages and disadvantages of applying expert system technology? How is a computer-based expert system developed? What is the knowledge engineer's job? What other people help develop an expert system? 9. How can the reliability of an expert system be improved? 10. *If you were the general manager of a small manufacturing busi- ness, how could you use an expert system? oN B. Tulis B di depan pemyataan yang benar dan S di depan pernyataan yang salah. Perbaiki pernyataan yang salah. 1. @ The relationship between the data elements is static in an expert system.140 English for Economics and Business 2. An expert system works well in a repetitive decision- making environment. 3. The cost of Al programs have been increasing. 4. Only a manager can access and make use of an expert system. 5. Human experts are an integral part of the develop- ment of expert systems. Vocabulary Exercises (latihan kosakata) A. Gantilah kata atau frasa yang dicetak miring di dalam kalimat di bawah ini dengan istilah yang tepat. interviewed challenge _largely /¥ symbols respond accessible _ repetitive run setting assumptions 1. Knowledge engineers translate problem concepts into signs and rules. _ symbols 2. The computer revolution has mainly taken place in the late twen- tieth century. 3. Computerization-can streamline recurring business operations. __ 4. Computer technology has enhanced the work environment of many offices. 5. An interactive computer program is one that can reply to user questions. 6. In developing an expert system for an insurance company, knowl- edge engineers questioned human experts. 7. Expert systems are now able to work on personal computers. __ 8. Information stored in an expert system is easily obtained when needed. B. Bahaslah pertanyaan di bawah ini dengan teman sekelas. Dalam mem- berikan jawaban, cobalah menggunakan kata yang dicetak miring. 1. What are some unique characteristics of human beings?Computer Applications 141 2. Is consistency in expert system recommendations important? Why or why not? 3. How do you think the knowledge base of an expert system compares to the human brain? 4. Are computers applicable to any of your daily activities? Which ones? 5. What are factors that affect the productivity of a business? C. _Isilah bagian yang kosong dengan istilah yang paling tepat dari daftar. labor costs applies unique recommends consistency challenges enhanced static productivity effective An intemational rent-a-car company _applies _ expert system technol- ogy for setting car rental prices. The expert system prices for different kinds of cars in a variety of cities. Since these prices are not _ , they need to be evaluated and revised constantly. In using an expert system to set rental prices, the rent-a-car company has decreased its , improved and and the overall car pricing aspect of the business vis-a-vis competitors. The rent-a-car company has found the expert system very Text Analysis (analisis teks) Lihat bacaan untuk menjawab pertanyaan ini. 1. What does each of the following refer to? BARIS KATA MERUJUK PADA 11 it 18 their 31 its 37 they 2. In lines 13 and 40, connectives introduce examples. What are these connectives and examples)142 English for Economics and Business ————— CONNECTIVES EXAMPLES a. b. 3. In lines 14-15, the ways in which an expert system is interactive are explained using three examples. What are these examples? a. b. c. 4. The reading details advantages and disadvantages of applying expert systems in the decision-making process. What are some of these advantages and disadvantages? ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES, a. a. b. availability b. = c. translate concepts into symbols d. 5. Connective or key words and phrases are used to introduce each of the four steps in developing an expert system. What are these connectives and steps? CONNECTIVES/PHRASES STEPS a. a. b. then b. c. c d. d. e. e. The expert system recommends transporting the boxes by ship and estimates the cost.Computer Applications 143 Writing (menulis) Penyelia (supervisor) anda meminta anda untuk mencari tahu tentang manfaat penggunaan sistem pakar (expert system). Anda baru saja menyelesaikan penelitian anda. Tulislah memo kepada penyelia anda yang berisikan ringkasan manfaat penerapan teknologi sistem pakar dalam ling- kungan bisnis. (Untuk format memo, lihat “Management,” halaman 96) Information Transfer (transfer informasi) HOURS SPENT BY THE EXPERT ARCHIVIST ANO SYSTEM ANALYSTKNOWLEDGE ENGINEER” HE scwrupmanna on on buteg ee re 7 NS 1 2 3 4 5 Joy August-September October November “Ths gure compares the amount of me spent by the expert archivist and the systems ‘analyst programmer Not show are te lesser amounts a ume spent by versght ‘commtioe members trom the Archives, load systems and management personnel As the figure shows, he archins’s volvement (ack plot) was heaviest al the begning ofthe project, whe the systems analys/programme's time involvement was fartystosdy, when both the amount of bm spent workang onthe system (background bas) and tme spent in knowledge acquiston sessions withthe expert (ory pot) ae taken into account Gambar 2144 English for Economics and Business A. Lihat Gambar 2 untuk menjawab pertanyaan ini. 1. What's another term used for knowledge engineer? 2. During which month did the expert archivist spend the most time? The least time? 3. Which month did both analyst/programmer and expert archivist spend the least time on knowledge acquisition? 4. How many hours did the analyst/programmer spend building the system in September? Induye 5. In which month did the time spent building the system double from the time spent in November? B. Lihat Gambar 2 untuk menjawab pertanyaan ini. 1. Approximately how many hours over a five-month period did the systems analyst/knowledge engineer spend building the system? _ 2. Which month shows the least amount of time spent in all three categories? 3. What are the two tasks that the analyst/programmer works on? _ Why do you think the analyst/programmer'’s time is divided into these two categories? 4. Approximately how many hours were spent developing the expert system from July through November? 5. Which of the three task took the most time? Why?