Abstract
Performance monitors are devices used by system analysts and industrial engineers to measure the efficiency of a computer system. Their nature and applications in a computerized information system is the concern of this study.
A description is given of the characteristics of monitors, the types of measurement they perform and their four basic categories: hardware, software, firmware and hybrid. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the categories are analyzed.
The major problems facing the system analyst in a system where monitors are used are those of data integrity. The system analyst must ensure that monitors are correctly installed and that they fulfill their purpose as expected without altering the rest of the operations of the system. Unauthorized use of monitors must be prevented and the primary controls necessary to ensure data privacy, those of access control, be implemented and enforced.
