Sunday, January 30, 2011

Tutorial 1: Choosing The Proper Application Software

Application software is designed to increase the users production by assisting them with tasks.  Having the proper applications can have detrimental affects on work efficiency.  Applications can be used to assist the user in word processing, math, graphics, and web browsing.  There is an endless array of applications available to help users with almost anything.

Application software can be broken down into 2 main divisions:
If you are a company with special needs such as customers relations management, you will need a vertical application.  Software such as word processors and graphics editors are horizontal applications.

Choosing the proper software is a 4 step process:

Step 1:  Perform a Needs Analysis:  In this step, the user must decide what their needs and requirements are for the program.  The user must decide what tasks the program must help them accomplish.

Step 2:  Software Options:  Do your research on the programs available to meet your needs.  Explore the web for reviews and better options.  Obtain references to efficient programs.  Websites are available such as www.cnet.com .  These sites offer reviews and information about various programs.

Step 3:  Compare Software Features:  Compare features of the programs in question.  Choose the program that best meets your needs.  When comparing options keep in mind key features like: hardware requirements, expandability, adaptability, and whether it is upgradeable.  www.cnet.com can also be used to compare programs.

Step 4:  Value Proposition:  Applications are designed to increase productivity and efficiency while lowering cost.  It today's world, time is money.  The more efficient a user is, the more money they can make. 
-Hardware and system requirements is another key issue.  Must the program be compatible with the current system or can upgrades be done?  
-Is training needed?  Training a large company can become costly. 
-Who will help with installation and support?  Will the program developers provide support?  Large companies may need an IT team to keep systems running.

After these steps have been completed, you can confidently choose the most productive and efficient program.

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