Office Solutions Development

Topic 1:
Application Software and Business Processes

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Scope and Coverage

This topic will cover:
• How a wide range of application software supports
various business processes and functions

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Learning Outcomes
By the end of this topic, students will be able to:
• Identify and discuss types of business processes and
functions
• Broadly define application software
• List the range of application software available
• Discuss how application software supports business
processes and functions
• Evaluate the role of application software in business
and describe how it can enhance and/or improve
business processes and functions

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Terminology
• Terminology will be explained in the lecture, tutorial
and seminar. You should take notes!
• A glossary of the key terms will also be provided.
• Ask questions if you do not understand.

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What are Business Processes and

Functions?
• The terms business process and business
function refer to various tasks, such as marketing,
sales, distribution and accounting, which are
performed regularly by a business.
• In medium and large businesses, departments are
set up to deal with the requirements of each process
and function, e.g. the Marketing Department.
• The activities of each department are interconnected,
e.g. the Finance and Sales Departments.

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Examples of Business Processes and

Functions
• Advertising • Marketing
• Distribution • Production
• Finance • Purchasing
• Human Resources • Research and
• Logistics Development
• Management • Sales
• Manufacturing • Technical Support

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E-Commerce Business Functions

Goods
sent from Order
warehouse made by
to the the
Customer Customer
Order details Order
received by added to
the the
warehouse shopping
cart

Order Payment
processed charged to
Email sent to card
Customer
confirming order

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What is Application Software?

Application software can be described as:

“A complete, self-contained program that performs a

specific function directly for the user. This is in contrast to
system software such as the operating system…which
exists to support applications programs and utility
programs.”

(Source: Howe, D. (2010). Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

[Available Online] http://foldoc.org/application+software )

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The Range of Application Software

• Application software is used in many ways such as:
– storing customer data in e-commerce businesses;
– helping managers make business decisions;
– enabling hospital administrators to book people into
hospital to receive treatment.

• In Topics 2-12, we will focus on how application

software is used and developed in business, but
here we will also consider other areas in which
application software is used.

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Where is Application Software Used?

• Banks
• Business
• E-commerce
• Education
• Engineering
• Government
• Law
• Media
• Medicine
• Science

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Types of Application Software

• Accounting • Decision Making
• CAD (Computer Aided • Desktop Publishing
Design) • Email
• CAE (Computer Aided • Graphics
Engineering) • Presentation
• CAL (Computer Aided • Project Management
Learning)
• Simulation
• Database
• Spreadsheet
• Data Mining
• Word Processing

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What is Integrated Application

Software?
• Several programs for different applications are
provided in one ‘package’ (e.g. database, email,
spreadsheet, presentation, word processing) and
they share a common interface.
• Microsoft Office and Lotus Suite are examples of
integrated software.

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Obtaining Application Software

• There are two main ways for companies/individuals
to obtain application software:
– Buy it: commercial software, also known as ‘off-
the-shelf’ software

– Have it written/modified to exact requirements:

bespoke software, also known as custom or
tailored software

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Obtaining Application Software

Open source application software is computer
software that has source code that can be
modified or enhanced by anyone.
Open-source software may be developed in
a collaborative public manner.

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Examples of Commercial Application

Software
• Adobe Suite

• Microsoft Office

• Sage Accounting software

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Where Can Bespoke Application

Software Be Used?
• Software written for:
– Business (e.g. budgeting)
– Medical applications (e.g. appointments system)
– Logistics (e.g. route scheduling)
– Education (e.g. learning a language)
– Engineering (e.g. production planning)
• See also the two websites referred to on Slide 32.

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Commercial vs. Bespoke Application

Software
Advantages Disadvantages
• Commercial application • Commercial application
software is generally less software does not always
expensive than bespoke contain facilities and
application software.
functions required by
• Bespoke application
users.
software generally
matches • It is often complex
an organisation’s to use.
requirements exactly.

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Application Software in Business

Processes and Functions
• Application Software is available that contains
features that allow users to undertake the various
tasks required in different business departments,
such as the following:
– Advertising, distribution, finance, human resources,
logistics, management, manufacturing, marketing,
production, purchasing, research and development,
sales, technical support, etc.

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Examples of Application Software in

Human Resource Tasks
• A human resources department undertakes various
activities, such as:
– Staff details
– Recruitment
– Training

• It uses applications software, such as databases,

management information systems, payroll,
presentation, time and attendance, and word
processing.

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Examples of Application Software in

Marketing Tasks
• A marketing department undertakes various
activities, such as:
- Market research
- Analyses data
- Reports on feedback

• It uses applications software, such as databases,

decision making, spreadsheets, data mining and
planning.

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Examples of Application Software in

Logistic Tasks
• A logistics department undertakes various
activities, such as:
- Route planning
- Dispatching goods
- Loading and delivery tracking

• It uses applications software, such as route

planning and calculation, costing and scheduling.

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Improving Business Processes and

Functions with Application Software - 1
• Application software can be used to enhance and/or
improve business processes and functions:

– Costs can be reduced due to tasks being automated.

– Data and information can be exchanged quickly.
– Customer service is improved, e.g. customers can order
online and also check the status of their accounts.

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Improving Business Processes and

Functions with Application Software - 2

– Employees work more efficiently (which helps to

increase profits).

– Such software often contains advanced features that

allows the user to develop/program it in order to make it
even more efficient.

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References
• Howe, D. (ed.) (2010). The free online dictionary of
computing. [Available Online] http://foldoc.org/
• Paul Stanley Software. (2010). Bespoke Software
Development. [Available Online]
http://www.pssuk.com/BespokeSoftwareExamples.
htm
• Aldex Software Ltd. (2010). Why Use Bespoke
Software? [Available Online]
http://www.aldex.co.uk/whycustom.html

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Topic 1 - Application Software and Business

Processes

Any Questions?

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