Presenting Application Software

Key Concepts

1. Application Software
2. Functions of Application Software
3. Examples of Application Software
4. Business Application Software
5. Enterprise Resource Planning
6. Customer Relationship Management
7. Project Management Software
8. Business Process Management Software
9. Resource Management Software
10. Productivity Software
11. Scheduling Software
12. Time Management Software
13. Educational Software
14. Basic Software FAQs

Key Concepts

Application Software

Application software is a type of computer program that performs a specific personal,

educational, and business function. Each program is designed to assist the user with a particular
process, which may be related to productivity, creativity, and/or communication.

Functions of Application Software

Application software programs are created to facilitate a variety of functions, including but not
limited to:

 managing information
 manipulating data
 constructing visuals
 coordinating resources
 calculating figures

Examples of Application Software

The most common application software programs are used by millions every day and include:

Microsoft suite of products (Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.), Internet browsers
like Firefox, Safari, and Chrome. Mobile pieces of software such as Pandora (for music
appreciation), Skype (for real-time online communication), and Slack (for team collaboration).

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 Presenting Application Software

Business Application Software

Business application software is a subset of the application software. These programs are built to
facilitate certain business functions, improving the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of
operations. Business application software programs achieve measurable objectives such as
saving work time and enhancing productivity.

Below are some popular examples of business applications that are commonly used by
organizations:

i. Enterprise Resource Planning

ii. Customer Relationship Management
iii. Project Management Software
iv. Business Process Management Software
v. Word Processor
vi. Spreadsheet
vii. Resource Management Software
viii. Productivity Software
ix. Scheduling Software
x. Time Management Software
xi. Educational Software

Enterprise resource planning software

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a type of business software used by companies – usually
via a bundle of integrated applications – to solicit, review, store, manipulate, and analyze data
derived from a variety of business operations.

Customer relationship management software

Customer relationship management (CRM) is a type of business software used by companies –

usually via a bundle of integrated applications – to solicit, review, store, and analyze customer
data, and also to manage customer interaction and facilitate the sales process and relevant partner
relationships.

Project management (PM) software

Project management (PM) software is a type of business software designed to plan and execute
projects, and to manage the resources associated with those projects. PM software assists users
with functions such as scheduling, assigning tasks, managing budgets and costs, documenting
progress, and reporting results.

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 Presenting Application Software

Business process management (BPM) software

Business process management (BPM) software is a type of business software designed to

facilitate the rapid development and automation of strategic processes. It often uses web-based
modeling, rule creation, and a simple interface to enable the user to perform business functions
more quickly. Usually optimized for mobile devices and offering total visibility into operations,
BPM software is helpful in managing and analyzing complex data, content, and processes across
the enterprise.

Word Processor

A word processor is a piece of application software that allows the user to create, edit, format,
and print written documents.

Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet is a computer-based document that displays data in a grid format and allows the
user to enter and manipulate data, and to perform accounting functions.

Resource Management Software

Resource management is a type of business software that facilitates the management of multiple
projects and resources and ensures that everything is allocated effectively in real time.

Productivity software

Productivity software is a type of business software that helps users do their jobs more efficiently
and complete work-related tasks in a timely manner. Categories of productivity software include:

 document creation
 database management
 Accounting
 Collaboration

Applications that an organization uses for overall productivity are sometimes referred to together
as a software or application stack.

Scheduling Software

Scheduling software is a type of business software that helps an organization allocate resources,
assign shifts, and understand exactly who is working and what individuals are paid for that work.

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 Presenting Application Software

Time management software

Time management software is a type of business software that tracks how an individual’s digital
systems are used, including how long the user spends working in certain applications.

Educational software

Educational software is a type of software that facilitates the teaching and learning of new
content, concepts, or processes.

Basic Software FAQs

 Difference between an app and an application.

An app is a piece of software designed for a single purpose or a single function. An application,
however, is a piece of software that performs a variety of related functions. Typically, if an app
breaks, life goes on, while applications are considered critical to normal business function and
are therefore considered to be of higher value. Additionally, apps are typically associated with
mobile personal-use, whereas applications are associated with use on all devices and typically
serve personal and business needs.

 Difference between on premise and hosted application software.

On premise application software is implemented at an organization’s physical location,

leveraging the hardware, IT infrastructure, and support of that organization. The company’s IT
department typically maintains and solves problems related to the software.

Hosted application software, also called software-as-a-service (SaaS), is software that is owned,
delivered, and managed remotely via the cloud by a provider separate from the purchasing
organization. Many organizations license these programs at the same time, and organizations
typically pay per user or via a subscription. One advantage of on premise software is that it can
be customized to the individual company’s needs more easily. However, hosted application
software programs generally allow users to scale up more quickly.

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 Difference between application software and an application platform

Application software is an end-user program. Computer software typically divided into two
classes; applications software and systems software. Systems software provides an operating
system and utilities that enable applications software such as database programs, spreadsheets,
web browsers, and more to run.

An application platform provides services to an application, and is comprised of the set of tools
an application relies on to run. Virtually every application relies on other software to run, from
database management software to the cloud. This group of software together is what we call an
application platform. An application platform should support an application in every style, from
single-user applications on a device to thousand-user applications in the cloud. Application
platforms typically include the following services: an operating system, execution services (such
as libraries for running software), data services, cloud services and development tools.

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