MIS : Data communication

By Naimul Islam
http://bd.linkedin.com/in/naimmba

Data communication
Management information system requires a data communication network of some type
whether it is operating in a centralized or a distributed data processing mode. In
centralized processing, terminals at the head office site and at remote locations are
attached to the centralized computer system in order to perform the major task of
manipulating. In contrast, most of the manipulating performed at a remote site within a
distributed data processing mode stays at that site.

1. Online communication: Radio Link

This is an online communication; it uses Radio Microwave as a transmission
medium of data. This technology is useful in cases for cooperates who do not
wants to rely on any third party infrastructure for their network. Point-to-Point
installments of radio towers between Factory and Head Office can setup backbone
connection, without any hassle of cable setup.

The features of radio link are –

a. Cable free or without any physical transmission medium.
b. Data transfer speed as of 64 kbps to 2mbps.
c. Easy upgrade option that has made it more flexible.
d. As it is without any physical transmission medium so, no digging of reads
required, neither problem in crossing over the land.

The whole database system will be networked and online so, on every update from
any branch database will be updated.

 
Head Office
(((( ))))
  …
Factory

2. Online communication: Dedicated Phone Line

Online communication could be done with phone line; it could be a dedicated
phone Line or Leased Line. Basically it is nothing but phone line, it is not shared
with the other users. It does not require dialing for communication, neither to wait
for the connection to be made; the leased line or dedicated line is always
connected. This communication system is less expensive than the dialed phone
line communication system, also the quality of communication is good and error or
noise is less. In essence, a dedicated network link is important for the potential it
offers the user in the areas of cost control, higher transmission speeds, and growth.
 …

Head Office
Dedicated
Phone Line

Factory

3. Dial-up communication: Phone Line

It needs to confirm in both end there is a phone line and it is not busy. When the
factory office needs to tap in to the computer, it calls up the head office on the
normal telephone network. By dialing a specific number, the calling terminal is
connected to the computer rather than a phone. The terminal user logs in and the
dial-up modems send the information back and forth across the telephone line.
Modems might be directly wired into the phone line (direct connect) or might be
of the acoustic coupler type.

This works well for a while, but as with all data networks demand increases and
complaints from the remote office pile up. Users feel that it takes too long to get
the desired information. To solve the speed problem, a faster modem can be used.
This approach will give users in the remote location more information in less time,
but there are greater potential problems with garbled data. The switched telephone
network is not considered to be the best medium for transferring data. Thus the
need grows to look at data network lines.

…

Head Office
Phone Line 

Factory

The software development team will find out the appropriate communication
system base on the software development platform or tools.