What types of computer equipment and software support business information systems?

"Business Computing Equipment: Tablets are self-contained computers in which applications (apps) can reside. These devices can also be linked into a network over which other programs can be accessed. Increasing power, speed, and memory accessed via the cloud make these tablets the dominant computer for many business processes. Desktop personal computers (PC) are self-contained computers on which software can reside. These PCs can also be linked into a network over which other programs can be accessed. Increasing power, speed, memory, and storage make these commonly used for many business processes. They can handle text, audio, video, and complex graphics. Laptop computers are portable computers similar in power to desktop computers. Their smaller size and weight make mobile computing easier for workers. Minicomputers are medium-sized computers with multiple processors, able to support from four to about 200 users at once. The distinction between the larger minicomputers and smaller mainframes is blurring. Mainframe computers are large machines about the size of a refrigerator; they can simultaneously run many different programs and support hundreds or thousands of users. Extremely reliable and stable, these are used by companies and governments to process large amounts of data. They are more secure than PCs. Servers have the greatest storage capacity and processing speeds. They are not subject to crashes and can be upgraded and repaired while operating. Supercomputers are the most powerful computers, now capable of operating at speeds of 280 trillion calculations per second. Companies can rent time to run projects from special supercomputer centers. Word processing software is used to write, edit, and format documents such as letters and reports. Spelling and grammar checkers, mail merge, tables, and other tools simplify document preparation. Spreadsheet software is used for preparation and analysis of financial statements, sales forecasts, budgets, and similar numerical and statistical data. Once the mathematical formulas are keyed into the spreadsheet, the data can be changed and the solution will be recalculated instantaneously. Database management programs serve as electronic filing cabinets for records such as customer lists, employee data, and inventory information. They can sort data based on various criteria to create different reports. Graphics and presentation programs create tables, graphs, and slides for customer presentations and reports. They can add images, video, animation, and sound effects. Desktop publishing software combines word processing, graphics, and page layout software to create documents. It allows companies to design and produce sales brochures, catalogs, advertisements, and newsletters in-house. Communications programs translate data into a form for transmission and transfer it across a network to other computers. They are used to send and retrieve data and files. Integrated software suites combine several popular types of programs, such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics presentation, and communications programs. Component programs are designed to work together. Groupware facilitates collaborative efforts of workgroups so that several people in different locations can work on one project. It supports online meetings and project management, including scheduling, resource allocation, document and e-mail distribution, and related activities. Financial software is used to compile accounting and financial data and create financial statements and reports."