UGBS 303: Computer Applications in Management Lecture Notes PDF

UGBS 303: Computer Applications in Management Introduction Dr. Awuni Emmanuel 12/25/2024 Learning Objectives Students will be able to: Define software and identify the various types of softwares Identify the software applications relevant...

UGBS 303: Computer Applications in Management Introduction Dr. Awuni Emmanuel 12/25/2024 Learning Objectives Students will be able to: Define software and identify the various types of softwares Identify the software applications relevant for business Understand the relevance and use of Task-Oriented Productivity Software Understand Ethics in the use of application software 12/25/2024 An Overview of Software What is software? Software, also called a program, is a set of instructions and associated documentation that tells a computer what to do or how to perform a task. It tells the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them. 12/25/2024 Where can we find softwares? Banks Universities Among many other places …...... Airlines 12/25/2024 4  Software is almost everywhere 12/25/2024 5 An Overview of Software Software is basically categorized into two main types: Systems and Application Software Systems software Sets of programs designed to operate, control, and extend processing capabilities of the computer. It runs the computer hardware and application programs. Is an interface or buffer between application software and hardware Examples: operating system, compilers, interpreters, utility programs Application software Programs that help users solve particular computing problems Most application software programs are OS specific Examples: word processing software, payroll software, student record software, browsers etc. 12/25/2024 An Overview of Software Software Hardware Systems Application software software (Operating systems) Layer 2 Layer 1 Users 12/25/2024 Types Application Software Proprietary Owned by companies or an individual who developed it. There are restrictions on its use and the source code is kept a secret Designed to solve a unique and specific problem In-house Development of application software using the company’s resources Contract Developed for a particular company Off-the-shelf An existing software program that can be used without considerable changes expected 12/25/2024  Application software Proprietary Off-the-shelf software software In-house Customized Standard Contract developed package package In-house Contract customized customization 12/25/2024 Scope of Influence Personal Information systems that serve the needs of an individual user Workgroup Two or more people who work together to achieve a common goal Enterprise Information systems that support the firm in its interaction with its environment. 12/25/2024 Personal Use The use of information system or a software to achieve a person goal. Think of anything you might want to do on a computer, and someone has probably created application software for it. However, there are a number of general types of applications that most users have installed on their computer. Examples is using Microsoft word to complete your final project work. 12/25/2024 Workgroup Applications A workgroup is a collection of individuals working together on a task. Many personal applications extend into workgroup applications. Workgroup software applications are also referred to as 'collaborative software,' or 'groupware.' There are several categories of workgroup applications, including: Electronic communications: applications send messages, documents and files between people on different computer systems. Electronic conferencing : software that makes it possible to have meetings in real-time without being physically present in the same location. Scheduling and coordination tools: facilitate scheduling meetings and other group activities. 12/25/2024 Enterprise Applications An Enterprise is an organization with a large number of employees, typically distributed over a number of offices located at different geographic locations. An enterprise application is therefore a big complex business application. They must be scalable, distributed and component-based. They are deployed on a variety of platforms across corporate networks, intranets, or the Internet. Examples: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Business Intelligence. automated billing systems payment processing content management HR Management 12/25/2024 Example: Integrated Supply Chain Management Software 12/25/2024 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): A set of integrated programs that manage a company’s vital business operations for an entire multi-site, global organization Vendors include: SAP Oracle PeopleSoft Dun & Bradstreet JD Edwards 12/25/2024 Issues and Trends Software licensing Protection by software vendors to prevent unauthorized use Software upgrades A revised version of software that usually includes fixes of known problems, plus enhancements to existing capabilities Global software support Software that is distributed around the globe may require unique support mechanisms due to local political and economic conditions 12/25/2024 Acquiring Software(1) Commercial software Used most often Copyrighted Generally costly May not be copied without permission of the manufacturer Freeware Free to all (“No free lunch in America; beware of malware) Copyrighted Distributed in machine-readable format Shareware Freely distributed for a trial period Pay a nominal fee to register with the author Examples: Download.com, FileHippo.com, ZDNet Download, Softpedia.com, Tucows.com 12/25/2024 Acquiring Software (2) Public-domain software Un-copyrighted May be used or altered without restriction Generally developed under government grants Open-source Free to all Source code is distributed May be used or altered Popular under the LINUX OS 12/25/2024 Purchasing Commercial Software Individuals Software warehouse store Mail order Electronic software distribution Businesses Volume discount Site license Network versions Application Service Provide (ASP) Software is setup and maintained by ASP Access the software over the Internet Pay per use Saves the expense of installing and maintaining the software 12/25/2024 Task-Oriented Software or Productivity Software These are software programs and tools that help users to create documents, presentations, tables, charts, and graphs. They maybe used in business, in education, or at home. 12/25/2024  Word Processing Uses Memos Reports Correspondence Minutes of meetings Anything to be typed Functions Create Edit Format Store Print text and graphics 12/25/2024  Desktop Publishing Uses Newsletters Reports Brochures Functions Handles high-level publishing needs 12/25/2024  Spreadsheets Uses Comparing mortgage interest rates Preparing budgets Tracking weight loss Functions Manipulates numbers in rows and columns Recalculates the results when a number is changed What if? 12/25/2024  Database Management Uses Keep track of a large number of related facts Query the data for specific information Retrieve information in a variety of ways Functions Store data Update data Manipulate data Retrieve data Print data in many forms Report on data in a variety of ways 12/25/2024  Presentation Graphics Uses Sales tool Demonstrate a product Show cost/benefit projections on charts Present audio/video testimonials from satisfied customers May contain Text Graphics Audio Video 12/25/2024 Computer Art work Use software to Produce art Express ideas Graphic artist Artistic ability Computer skills Produces computer art Example: Corel draw, Adobe photoshop etc. 12/25/2024 Communications Provides method for communicating between computers Most likely way to connect is via the Internet Use a browser to access the Internet 12/25/2024 Office Suites Group of basic software applications designed to work together Data is portable between basic applications of the suite Various applications in the suite have the same “look and feel” Cost of suite is less than purchasing individual applications 12/25/2024 Integrated Applications Combine basic word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics capabilities More limited than a suite Easier to learn and use 12/25/2024  Business Software Custom-written to meet special business needs Standard packages Combination of custom-written and off-the-shelf 12/25/2024 Vertical Market Software Written for a particular type of business Dentist’s office Drugstore Auto shop Software may be part of complete package Hardware Installation Training Support 12/25/2024 Software for Small Business Accounting Spreadsheet software Accounting package – Basic accounting, financial statements, tax summaries, payroll Writing and Advertising Word processing Desktop publishing Customer Service Database management 12/25/2024 Application Software Ethics What is legal? 12/25/2024 Software Piracy Making illegal copies of copyrighted software Why the fuss? Very easy to duplicate software vs. a textbook Software company may lose hundreds of dollars per pirated copy Prosecution Yes: Small-medium sized business who purchase a few copies and distribute to many users No: Individual users who probably would not have purchased software on their own anyway. 12/25/2024 Counterfeiting Software is copied onto CD-ROMS / DVD-ROMS Package duplicates the original Sold in flea markets or small stores Cheaper price Occurs more in developing countries 12/25/2024 Copying Software Legitimate reasons Backup copy Copy to hard disk Illegitimate reasons Obtain software without paying for it 12/25/2024 Computers and People Users Any individual who operates a computer to accomplish a task Home Business 12/25/2024 End User Software Characteristics User-friendly Easy Intuitive Minimum training and documentation needed to use 12/25/2024 Systems Software Is an interface or buffer between application software and hardware Controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface with applications programs. 12/25/2024 Systems Software System software includes: Operating systems: is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. Examples: macOS, Ubuntu, Microsoft Windows, computational Device drivers: a device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a device that is attached to a computer. Middleware: is computer software that provides services to software applications beyond those available from the operating system Utility software: is system software designed to help to analyze, configure, optimize or maintain a computer 12/25/2024 Operating System Functions Perform common computer hardware functions Provide a user interface Provide a degree of hardware independence Manage system memory Manage processing tasks Provide networking capability Control access to system resources Manage files 12/25/2024 User Interface User interface A function of the operating system that allows individuals to access and command the computer Command-based user interface A particular user interface that requires text commands be given to the computer to perform basic activities E.g., unix, DOS Graphical user interface (GUI) A user interface that uses pictures (icons) and menus displayed on the screen to send commands to the computer system E.g. Windows, UNIX, MAC OS, Android 12/25/2024 Some Software Concepts Multitasking A processing activity that allows a user to run more than one application at the same time Multithreading A processing activity that is basically multitasking within a single application Time-sharing A processing activity that allows more than one person to use a computer system at the same time 12/25/2024 NEXT WEEK ADVANCED WEB SEARCH TECHNIGUES 12/25/2024