Computing Solutions for Businesses

Productivity Applications

• Tax preparation software guides individuals, families, or small businesses through the process of filing federal and state taxes.
• Document conversion software saves documents created in any application into a common format that has the same appearance as the original document.
• Large organizations, referred to as enterprises, require special computing solutions due to their size and geographic distribution.
• Various types of software are used in enterprises, including:
  • Human resources software
  • Accounting and finance software
  • Engineering or product development software
  • Manufacturing software
  • Marketing software
  • Sales software
  • Distribution software
  • Customer service software
  • Information technology software

Programs and Apps

• Developers use different technologies to create apps depending on whether they will be installed on a user’s device or accessed via a network.
• Types of apps include:
  • Native app
  • Cloud app
  • Web app
  • Mobile web app
• Programs and apps are distributed in various forms, including:
  • Retail software
  • Custom software
  • Shareware
  • Freeware
  • Open source software
  • Public domain software

Productivity Applications (continued)

• Productivity applications assist in becoming more effective and efficient while performing daily activities at work, school, and home.
• Examples of productivity applications include:
  • Word processing
  • Presentation
  • Spreadsheet
  • Database
  • Note taking
  • Calendar and contact management
  • Project management
  • Accounting
  • Personal finance
  • Legal
  • Tax preparation
  • Document management
  • Support services
  • Enterprise computing

Graphics and Media Software

• Computer-aided design (CAD) software is used for designing and creating digital models.
• Desktop publishing software is used for creating and editing documents, such as brochures, newsletters, and flyers.
• Paint/image editing software is used for editing and manipulating images.
• Photo editing and photo management software is used for editing and organizing photos.
• Video and audio editing software is used for editing and manipulating video and audio files.
• Multimedia authoring software allows users to combine text, graphics, audio, video, and animation in an interactive application.
• Website authoring software helps users create business websites for a variety of purposes.
• A media player is a program that allows users to view images and animations, listen to audio, and watch video files on their computer or mobile device.
• An augmented reality app overlays information and digital content on top of physical objects or locations.
• A virtual reality app provides an immersive user experience.

Security Tools

• Anti-spam programs are used to filter out unwanted emails.
• Web filtering software is used to block access to certain websites or content.
• Phishing filters are used to detect and block phishing emails.
• Pop-up and pop-under blockers are used to block unwanted advertisements.

File, Disk, and System Management Tools

• A file manager is a tool that performs functions related to file management, such as viewing folders and different types of files.
• A search tool is a program that attempts to locate a file, contact, calendar event, app, or any other item stored on a computer or mobile device based on criteria specified by the user.
• An image viewer is a tool that allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file, such as a photo.
• An uninstaller is a tool that removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files.
• A disk cleanup tool searches for and removes unnecessary files on a computer or mobile device.
• A disk defragmenter is a tool that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster.