A computer center is an office dedicated to the systematized processing of a large volume of information.
A computer center , data processing center , data center or data center is an entity, office or department that is responsible for the processing of data and information in a systematic manner. The processing is carried out using computers that are equipped with the necessary hardware and software to carry out this task. Generally, these computers are networked and have an Internet connection.
Another definition of a computer center refers to the unit that is responsible for the design and implementation of systems within a company. In this case, it is an area whose purpose is to facilitate the work of the rest of the departments. The training of users, the maintenance of computer equipment and the development of feasibility studies are among its missions.
Elections and the computing center
There are special occasions that warrant the installation of a computing center: for example, in the case of elections . The counting center is the place from where the votes are counted and the results are issued.
When elections are held, the computing center functions as a large information system that fulfills the four main activities of this type of system: the entry of information (the entry of data into the system), the storage of data (for generally on servers), its processing (sum of votes, estimation of percentages, etc.) and the output of the information (through a screen or printouts).
A computing center requires technological infrastructure.
Choice of location
It is a large building or office where a large number of computers and other equipment is kept, and its founders are, generally, large companies that have the need to store and process a considerable volume of information. Depending on the size of the organization, there may be several computer centers. One of the main characteristics of these establishments is the preservation of the equipment on a physical level, and for this very particular and careful designs are used when building them.
First of all, a geographical location must be selected, for which different points are taken into account:
* How much does the land cost, how much are the rates and fees for the different insurances that should be taken out;
* how well connected the area in question is and how well it is served by electricity supply and communication services, with the Internet being the most important currently;
* history of fires, floods, earthquakes and all types of natural disasters, as well as robberies and other attacks typical of human beings.
Security of a computer center
Other details that must be taken into account are the height of the floors and the width of the doors, and the building must be provided with means to deal with any incident that threatens the safety of the equipment, fires and floods being the most common. common. At the same time, given that cooling is a fundamental point in a place where a large number of computers are constantly operating, an air conditioning system cannot be missing, and it is important that the orientation of the building protects the center from solar heat. extreme in times of high temperatures.
It should be noted that although the information processed in computer centers is usually of great importance for organizations, the functions that take place on their equipment are not always highly complex; On the contrary, they are generally mere databases that carry out data counts or control, and not cutting-edge research centers . Furthermore, the people in charge of entering said data must spend long hours tirelessly repeating a simple and monotonous task, which does not require any particular type of skill, but rather unwavering patience and perseverance.