1. A computer is a programmable machine designed to network and embody the Sun Microsystems slogan: "The
sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of network is the computer."
arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of Operating system
operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
solve more than one kind of problem.
Conventionally a computer consists of some form Operating systems
of memory for data storage, at least one element that carries
out arithmetic and logic operations, and a sequencing and
control element that can change the order of operations based
on the information that is stored. Peripheral devices allow
information to be entered from an external source, and allow
the results of operations to be sent out.
A computer's processing unit executes series of instructions
that make it read, manipulate and then store data. Conditional
instructions change the sequence of instructions as a function
of the current state of the machine or its environment.
The first electronic computers were developed in the mid-20th
century (1940–1945). Originally, they were the size of a large
room, consuming as much power as several hundred
[1]
modern personal computers (PCs).
Modern computers based on integrated circuits are millions to
billions of times more capable than the early machines, and Common features
[2]
occupy a fraction of the space. Simple computers are small
enough to fit into mobile devices, and mobile computers can  Process management
be powered by small batteries. Personal computers in their  Interrupts
various forms are icons of the Information Age and are what  Memory management
most people think of as "computers". However, the embedded  File system
computers found in many devices from mp3 players to fighter  Device drivers
aircraft and from toys to industrial robots are the most  Networking (TCP/IP, UDP)
numerous.  Security (Process/Memory protection)
A computer is a device that accepts information (in the form  I/O
of digitalized data) and manipulates it for some result based
on a program or sequence of instructions on how the data is
to be processed. Complex computers also include the means
for storing data (including the program, which is also a form of An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that
data) for some necessary duration. A program may be manages computer hardware resources, and provides
invariable and built into the computer (and called logic common services for application software. The operating
circuitry as it is onmicroprocessors) or different programs may system is the most important type of system software in a
be provided to the computer (loaded into its storage and then computer system. Without an operating system, a user cannot
started by an administrator or user). Today's computers have run an application program on their computer, unless the
both kinds of programming. application program is self booting.
Most histories of the modern computer begin with Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for
theAnalytical Engine envisioned by Charles Babbage following efficient use of the system and may also include
the mathematical ideas of George Boole, the mathematician accounting for cost allocation of processor time, mass
who first stated the principles of logic inherent in today's digital storage, printing, and other resources. For hardware
computer. Babbage's assistant and collaborator, Ada functions such as input and output and memory
Lovelace, is said to have introduced the ideas of program allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary
loops and subroutines and is sometimes considered the first between application programs and the computer
[1][2]
programmer. Apart from mechanical calculators, the first really hardware, although the application code is usually
useable computers began with the vacuum tube, accelerated executed directly by the hardware and will frequently call
with the invention of thetransistor, which then became the OS or be interrupted by it. Operating systems are
embedded in large numbers in integrated circuits, ultimately found on almost any device that contains a computer—
making possible the relatively low-cost personal computer. from cellular phones and video game
Modern computers inherently follow the ideas of the stored consoles to supercomputers and web servers. Examples
program laid out by John von Neumann in 1945. Essentially, of popular modern operating systems
the program is read by the computer one instruction at a time, include Linux, Android, iOS, Mac OS X, and Microsoft
an operation is performed, and the computer then reads in the Windows. Operating System Functions
next instruction, and so on. Recently, computers and
programs have been devised that allow multiple programs
(and computers) to work on the same problem at the same
time in parallel. With the advent of the Internet and
higher bandwidth data transmission, programs and data that
are part of the same overall project can be distributed over a

2. What is an Operating System Operating System Concerns
The operating system is the core software component of As mentioned previously, an operating system is a computer
your computer. It performs many functions and is, in program. Operating systems are written by human
very basic terms, an interface between your computer programmers who make mistakes. Therefore there can be
and the outside world. In the section about hardware, a errors in the code even though there may be some testing
computer is described as consisting of several before the product is released. Some companies have better
component parts including your monitor, keyboard, software quality control and testing than others so you may
mouse, and other parts. The operating system provides notice varying levels of quality from operating system to
an interface to these parts using what is referred to as operating system. Errors in operating systems cause three
"drivers". This is why sometimes when you install a new main types of problems:
printer or other piece of hardware, your system will ask System crashes and instabilities - These can happen
you to install more software called a driver. due to a software bug typically in the operating
What does a driver do? system, although computer programs being run on the
A driver is a specially written program which operating system can make the system more unstable
understands the operation of the device it interfaces to, or may even crash the system by themselves. This
such as a printer, video card, sound card or CD ROM varies depending on the type of operating system. A
drive. It translates commands from the operating system system crash is the act of a system freezing and
or user into commands understood by the the becoming unresponsive which would cause the user
component computer part it interfaces with. It also to need to reboot.
translates responses from the component computer part Security flaws - Some software errors leave a door
back to responses that can be understood by the open for the system to be broken into by unauthorized
operating system, application program, or user. The intruders. As these flaws are discovered, unauthorized
below diagram gives a graphical depiction of the intruders may try to use these to gain illegal access to
interfaces between the operating system and the your system. Patching these flaws often will help keep
computer component. your computer system secure. How this is done will be
explained later.
Sometimes errors in the operating system will cause
the computer not to work correctly with some
peripheral devices such as printers.
Operating System Types
There are many types of operating systems. The most
common is the Microsoft suite of operating systems. They
include from most recent to the oldest:
Windows XP Professional Edition - A version used by
many businesses on workstations. It has the ability to
become a member of a corporate domain.
Windows XP Home Edition - A lower cost version of
Windows XP which is for home use only and should
not be used at a business.
Windows 2000 - A better version of the Windows NT
operating system which works well both at home and
as a workstation at a business. It includes
technologies which allow hardware to be automatically
detected and other enhancements over Windows NT.
Windows ME - A upgraded version from windows 98
but it has been historically plagued with programming
errors which may be frustrating for home users.
Windows 98 - This was produced in two main
versions. The first Windows 98 version was plagued
with programming errors but the Windows 98 Second
Edition which came out later was much better with
Other Operating System Functions
many errors resolved.
The operating system provides for several other functions
Windows NT - A version of Windows made specifically
including:
for businesses offering better control over workstation
System tools (programs) used to monitor computer
capabilities to help network administrators.
performance, debug problems, or maintain parts of
Windows 95 - The first version of Windows after the
the system.
older Windows 3.x versions offering a better interface
A set of libraries or functions which programs may use
and better library functions for programs.
to perform specific tasks especially relating to
There are other worthwhile types of operating systems not
interfacing with computer system components.
made by Microsoft. The greatest problem with these operating
The operating system makes these interfacing functions along
systems lies in the fact that not as many application programs
with its other functions operate smoothly and these functions
are written for them. However if you can get the type of
are mostly transparent to the user.
application programs you are looking for, one of the systems
listed below may be a good choice.

3. Unix - A system that has been around for many years A distributed operating system manages a group of
and it is very stable. It is primary used to be a server independent computers and makes them appear to be
rather than a workstation and should not be used by a single computer. The development of networked
anyone who does not understand the system. It can computers that could be linked and communicate with
be difficult to learn. Unix must normally run an a each other, gave rise to distributed computing.
computer made by the same company that produces Distributed computations are carried out on more than
the software. one machine. When computers in a group work in
Linux - Linux is similar to Unix in operation but it is cooperation, they make a distributed system.
free. It also should not be used by anyone who does Embedded
not understand the system and can be difficult to Embedded operating systems are designed to be
learn. used in embedded computer systems. They are
Apple MacIntosh - Most recent versions are based on designed to operate on small machines like PDAs with
Unix but it has a good graphical interface so it is both less autonomy. They are able to operate with a limited
stable (does not crash often or have as many software number of resources. They are very compact and
problems as other systems may have) and easy to extremely efficient by design. Windows CE and Minix
learn. One drawback to this system is that it can only 3 are some examples of embedded operating
be run on Apple produced hardware. systems.
Types if Operating Systems
Real-time Application software
A real-time operating system is a multitasking From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
operating system that aims at executing real-time
applications. Real-time operating systems often use
specialized scheduling algorithms so that they can
achieve a deterministic nature of behavior. The main
objective of real-time operating systems is their quick
and predictable response to events. They have an
event-driven or time-sharing design and often aspects
of both. An event-driven system switches between
tasks based on their priorities or external events while
time-sharing operating systems switch tasks based on
clock interrupts. OpenOffice.org Writer word processor.OpenOffice.org is a
Multi-user vs. Single-user popular example of open sourceapplication software
A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to
access a computer system concurrently. Time-sharing
system can be classified as multi-user systems as
they enable a multiple user access to a computer
through the sharing of time. Single-user operating
systems, as opposed to a multi-user operating
system, are usable by a single user at a time. Being
able to have multiple accounts on a Windows
operating system does not make it a multi-user
system. Rather, only the network administrator is the
real user. But for a Unix-like operating system, it is
possible for two users to login at a time and this
capability of the OS makes it a multi-user operating
system. The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP), version 2.4.3.
Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking GIMP is freely distributed software.
When only a single program is allowed to run at a Application software, also known as an application or an
time, the system is grouped under a single-tasking "app", is computer software designed to help the user to
system. However, when the operating system allows perform specific tasks. Examples include enterprise
the execution of multiple tasks at one time, it is software, accounting software, office suites, graphics
classified as a multi-tasking operating system. Multi- software and media players. Many application programs deal
tasking can be of two types: pre-emptive or co- principally with documents. Apps may be bundled with the
operative. In pre-emptive multitasking, the operating computer and its system software, or may be published
system slices the CPU time and dedicates one slot to separately. Some users are satisfied with the bundled apps
each of the programs. Unix-like operating systems and need never install one.
such as Solaris and Linux support pre-emptive Application software is contrasted with system
multitasking. Cooperative multitasking is achieved by software and middleware, which manage and integrate a
relying on each process to give time to the other computer's capabilities, but typically do not directly apply them
processes in a defined manner. MS Windows prior to in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. The system
Windows 2000 used to support cooperative software serves the application, which in turn serves the user.
multitasking. Similar relationships apply in other fields. For example, a
Distributed shopping mall does not provide the merchandise a shopper is
seeking, but provides space and services for retailers that

4. serve the shopper. Rail tracks similarly support trains, allowing
the trains to transport passengers. The Credit Facilities and Risk Management module has the
Application software applies the power of a capability to allocate funds between the branch and the head
particular computing platform or system software to a office. Risk Management is maintained on five levels to utilize
particular purpose. Some apps such as Microsoft Office are and monitor groups and subgroups limits in real time.
available in versions for several different platforms; others Whereas, the Credit Facility can include up to four, unique
have narrower requirements and are thus called, for example, transaction process control groups.
a Geography application for Windows or Functionality:
an Android application for education or Linux gaming. • Customer facility maintenance
Sometimes a new and popular application arises which only
runs on one platform, increasing the desirability of that • Guarantor and collateral maintenance
platform. This is called a killer application.
• Facility detail maintenance
Core Banking
• Dynamic facility system
The Integrated Core Banking module provides comprehensive
financial data management of our clients’ customer • Revolving facilities
information. This System manages banking client’s head The application has a powerful workflow layer that automates
office and branch financial activities for clients’ customers on the application handling and its follow up.
all levels. Our System is a multi-currency, branch, bank and
language built on an open architecture fully scalable to any Promissory Notes
financial institution size.
Functionality: The Promissory Note module handles both the front-and-back
• Account maintenance (available for all accounts) office functions of a branch, which supports the retail
operation of a bank comprised of: Discounted Personal and
• Functionality authority and user role Commercial Bills including Personal and Auto Loan systems.
Functionality:
• Account management • Schedules Bills and alternative accounts
• Inter-branch banking • Defines additional debtor guarantors
• General, customer and control inquiries • Inquiry and reports
Remittances • Settlement and classification of bills
Remittances is a complete straight through processing (STP) • Prepares repayment schedule with various interest and
system that allows issuing money transfer whether within the repayment methodology
country or outside the country and receiving inward transfers
for the customer. The System can be implemented to initiate Retail and Corporate Lending
the booking from the branch or can be compatible with a
centralized processing center. The Retail and Corporate Lending modules are designed to
Functionality: operate in dynamic environments, which offer competitive
• Provides agile platform for layered data entry flexibility that meets customer and market demands. ICS
provides flexible repayment options for private and corporate
• Processes transactions to appropriate ledgers users. At the same time, we ensure the bank’s security
through full collateral support.
• Allows data, authority and activity verification is based on product concept, where our customers can easily
define any new product needed by setting the parameters for
• Automatically produces SWIFT and TELEX messages this product and automatically the system will check each
These functions provide facilities for data entry at a basic level product parameters when adding a loan. The product concept
to enable the employee to enter more relevant information, i.e. gives the facility for the bank to put the restrictions needed,
amount and type of currency exchanged, agreed i.e. loan amount, interest rate, loan period, loan method; which
buying/selling price and commission (system provides can also be defined as exception on the customer level.
standard values). The function creates necessary transactions The system provides full control over the schedule of
to debit customer account and other accounting entries. repayment, including installment amount, dynamic
Where different currencies are involved, the System affects commission definition, VAT, interest, grace periods and date.
the currency position accounts. It also produces the The system offers many interest calculation methods of which
confirmation. The bank authority can verify the basic data and are: Simple, compounded, flat and discounted. Major areas
authorise the activity. covered, but not limited to, are:
Remittance system has several enquiries and produces
various reports for correspondent bank accounts and foreign • Revolving, reducing and subsidizing loans
exchange activities. In addition to producing and receiving
related SWIFT messages, e.g. MT103, MT202, MT200, etc). • Normal and flat-rate loans
Credit Facilities & Risk Management • Equal payments (all types)

5. • Loans against deposits market.
The online outlet generates journal transactions that record
• Moratorium and microfinance lending each debit and credit transaction, which displays relevant
The application has a powerful workflow layer that automates dealing room ledgers. These actions take place to provide
the application handling and its follow up. assistance and control in the deal entry, amendment and
cancellation of the various accounts.
Trade Finance The Treasury system is a complete STP system that
generates all SWIFT Messages. The System can covers all
The Trade Finance module manages letters of credit and front, middle and back office operations and has interface to
guarantee as well as Documentary Bills for Collection. The 3rd party trading systems such as Reuters®
solution efficiently directs transfers, maintenance, preparation
and multi-currency entries posts with customer-friendly control Asset Management
- all integrated with SWIFT message generation.
Trade Finance system is a complete STP system with a The Asset Management module provides a wide range of
powerful workflow layer that automates the application functionality for high, net-worth customers. This end-to-end
handling. The system can be implemented to initiate the solution can be deployed in several languages globally.
booking from the branch or can be compatible with a ICSFS can provide a variety of modules for those involved in
centralized processing center. the acquisition, implementation and administration of assets
including: purchase support staff, IT engineers, technical
Finance Lease support and consultants.
Functionality:
The Lease Financing module provides contractual services • Procurement
between the customer and bank. This particular module lends
to sectors including: Real estate, transportation, industry, • Deployment
medical, tourism and agriculture.
Functionality: • System administration
• Settles payments on respective maturity dates
automatically • Analysis
• Provides option to buy assets or transfer ownership • Compliance
• Creates equal payments schedule or calculates the interest Investment Including E-Brokerage
rate with the NPV formula
The Investment module package offers essential, STP as well
Islamic Banking as end-to-end event-driven processing for a wide range of
financial products including securities, equities, and
The Islamic Banking module is a universal solution that is derivatives. The system provides deal data, limit control,
preferred over many international vendors, and is compliant position-keeping, automatic processing for transactions and
with the leading, Islamic finance standards of the Auditing and confirmation, and settlement to maturity, generating all
Accounting Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions necessary accounting and reporting with risk management.
(AAOIFI). The solution and its Murabahah, Bai Salam, Functionality:
Tawarruq, Ijarah, Istisna’a, Musharakah, Mudarabah, Qard • Adds customer/bank order
Hassan, Profit Distribution, Sukuk and Investment Accounts’
products are Shariah-compliant. • Changes customer/bank order (stop or cancel)
Functionality:
• Enables full and independent Islamic bank operations • Executes customer/bank order
• Adds a single, Islamic banking window to existing • Allows partial order execution
infrastructure
• Blocks orders, back-to-back deals
• Equips online, banking clients with Islamic products
Management Information System
• Customer-and-business oriented
The Management Information System module has myriad
• Parameterized design for maximum value functions spread over the entire system, providing the
management information. All systems generate and maintain
Treasury operational data and its history. This data is available on the
customer account, branch and bank level.
The Treasury module manages: Foreign-exchange dealing, Functionality:
money market (placement and deposit deals) and margin
• Produces financial accounting including: Account
trading. The system can feature an interface that receives
statements, central bank reporting, cost accounting and
market rates and prices from external sources. The system
customer and cash positions
provides ongoing information about the profitability and risk. It
automatically matures and settles deals, and is capable of
handling various types of instruments available in the financial • Manages financial planning including: Budgeting, interest

6. gap control, performance and profitability and assets liability
• Provides planning and control software through reports,
maps and graphs for information updates
Workflow and Business Process Management
The Workflow Management STP module with Business
Process Management (BPM), powered by W4, optimizes the
internal process, document and flow management among
various bank departments as well as enhances customer
service through the internet. BPM integrates the processes,
systems and people into one solution to achieve effectiveness
and enhance customer service.
This system can be extended to achieve the full automation
once implemented with our content management system that
handles physical and cold archives in addition to many ready
to use processes such as the daily jacket.
Profitability Management
The Profitability Management module produces monthly
profitability reports (MPR), which are prepared and submitted
to the bank’s management on a monthly basis to evaluate the
bank’s performance. This capability can also be manipulated
to view performance by group, sub-group and business unit as
well as assess annual, fiscal account and customer
profitability.
CRM
The Customer Relationship Management module provides a
single view of the customer that can be maintained, presented
and updated across myriad solutions to increase business
performance. The solution ensures cost savings, curtails risk
and increases customer interactions and rate of acquisition.
This enables integrated business processes and technological
infrastructure to effectively manage relevant client information.
Internet Banking
The Internet Banking System (IBS) module brings together a
suite of front-office functionality delivered by the same core
platform and database that has, traditionally, been offered to
®
only supporting back-office activity. ICS BANKS online
solution uses the latest web programming technologies (J2EE,
XML, etc.) and computing concepts in the system’s
development, ensuring an open and portable access for
various hardware and operating systems platforms.
The online banking solution consists of the internet banking
service provider (IBSP) and IBS, two capabilities that allow
banks’ to provide customers multi-functional services that can
be remotely accessed globally. Our multi-lingual system’s
functionality supports the needs of retail, corporate and
universal banking as well as private wealth management -
areas of previous success and continued growth.