A quick guide of useful software types and how they apply to business.
What is software as a service (SaaS)?
This is software that a consumer pays a subscription for use online. For instance, Office 365 would be a SaaS. With the subscription, the software owner makes sure the application is available to appropriate end users.
https://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/Software-as-a-Service
https://www.cmswire.com/cms/information-management/cloud-service-models-iaas-saas-paas-how-microsoft-office-365-azure-fit-in-021672.php
What are the benefits of SaaS over traditional software?
SaaS acts more like a rental than original software. The developer does all the heavy lifting since you do not have to install and configure. Saas also works very well with cloud computing and integration, and updates are always current. It can also be cheaper for smaller businesses since they will not have to purchase a license like with traditional software.
https://www.ibm.com/blogs/cloud-computing/2013/09/18/top-five-advantages-of-software-as-a-service-saas/
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-disadvantages-software-service-saas
What is productivity software?
An application used for creating or producing information. Can create or change text or media. Example of productivity software would be Microsoft Office.
https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/49780/productivity-software
An application used for creating or producing information. Can create or change text or media. Example of productivity software would be Microsoft Office.
https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/49780/productivity-software
Word processing
Word processing allows a use to create, modify, store, print, or otherwise manipulate text documents. This can be useful when creating memos or letters to clients. A good example of this is Microsoft Word.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/word-processing.html
Spreadsheet
A program with a series of rows and columns that can arrange and sort data. Although this can handle both words and numbers, spreadsheets are useful for their ability to contain formulas. These formulas can manipulate and combine data as needed. As well as organize it. A good example of this is Microsoft Excel.
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/spreadsheet.htm
Presentation
Presentation software is a program used to organize and present slides with information and graphics for educational uses. Whether it’s a sales pitch, business meeting, or even for new employee orientation, presentation software is a very useful application for presenting information and multimedia in an organized fashion. Prezi is a good example of presentation software.
https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/presentation-software-presentation-graphics
Database
Database productivity software, such as Microsoft Access, is used to manage data. It organizes data with fields, files, and records. This can work with data entry, queries, and reporting. This is an important tool for in IT infrastructure of a business.
Note Taking
Note taking software, like OneNote, are incredibly helpful. This allows for multidimensional filing system for notes, images, saved, emails, spreadsheets, almost anything other productivity software can produce. This is helpful in creating help documents or taking meeting notes for later. This service can also sync over the internet so that you can access your notes everywhere you have a connection.
https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/The_Computer_Revolution/Software/Note_Taking_Software
What is personal information management (PIM) software?
PIM software can act like an electronic Rolodex. It can store client, employee, family, vendors, and other parties’ information. This information can be order notes, contact information, addresses, etc. Generally, once a party is added, this can be exported to other applications to save time and improve accuracy when filling out their information.
https://www.business.com/articles/personal-information-management-pim-software-basics/
Will it be useful for my employees?
PIM Software will be very useful to employees as this will make sure they have a streamlined ware of managing their clients and contacts. Being able to pull this information for correspondence or data entry will be more accurate and faster than reentering the information each task.
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/24752/personal-information-manager-pim
What types of software are helpful for small businesses?
The type of software beneficial to small businesses can very. Should a business not want, or cannot afford, to purchase large licenses for proprietary software, a business could use Free Open Source Software (FOSS). For example, should your company not have the funds for Office 365, which is an SaaS with productivity software, the business could apt for using LibreOffice and Thunderbird. LibreOffice is a free productivity suite and Thunderbird is an alternate email client. Both are free and open source. However, with the more frugal route, you will lack the formal support and publications of the proprietary software. If willing to research for support and create documentation, FOSS would be a helpful type of software for small businesses.
What types of software are helpful for large businesses?
Similar problems arise with the argument between FOSS and proprietary for large businesses. Should the business be large enough and with enough capital, it would be wise to purchase or subscribe to proprietary software. There would be support and documentation as well as not being a complex as FOSS; however, should the firm have the IT firepower, FOSS would be an acceptable route as well. If internal staff can support and manipulate FOSS to work for the company’s needs, this could end up creating a more tailored software for the business. However, this runs the danger of increasing overhead in a way difficult to predict due to not having real time support and documentation causes IT to work overtime to fix issues.
What do I need to know about Software Licenses?
It is important to have an understanding of the software license. You will need to take note who can use the licenses, how the software can be distributed, and what limitations your agreement contains. Without a license, or without the correct license, you would be using the software illegally.
https://www.etoptechnology.com/blog/business-software-licensing-compliance/
How do I determine which version of software will work on the computers in our business?
To determine if the software needs will work on your business devices, you will need to know the system requirements. If the computer does not meet the systems requirements, this could cause the software to not work. However, should this be a cloud based SaaS, the storage requirements wouldn’t need to be as much since the software will not be installed locally. Then again, if the device has no internet connection, it will require a local install on the hard drive. Which will require significantly more space allocation. So if you have computers with robust computing power but low storage, I would recommend cloud computing.
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4371/system-requirements
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