Premium Essay

Choosing Software Applications in a Company

In:

Submitted By xqareed
Words 899
Pages 4
Choosing Software Applications
Choosing software is a crucial part of any business. A business needs different types of software to manage data, process data or provide services to its employees or clients. Selecting the correct software is an important decision, which if done wrongly could results in waste of money and time. Choosing the wrong software will have adverse effects on business. In order to decide on the correct software package for a business, a more procedural process should be followed , which will result in selecting the most appropriate software.
Determining Criteria
To select software for my team or organization, One must first determine a set of criteria against which we can compare the various software packages available in the market
Requirement
Determining the current needs of the organization or team will help an organization understand the main features which the software package should be able to perform. Within the requirements there could be few functions, which are more important to meet the business need and there are other functionalities that are good to have. Each function required in the software might be given a priority based on its criticality.
Support
Technical support for software is another important factor that should be considered while choosing software. When users are affected by problems like errors in the software or bugs that affect the current workflow, which inurn affects the usage, Technical support is necessary to either get around the issues or fix the issues to allow the users to continue their transactions without being blocked
Documentation
While selecting software of an organization, the amount of quality documentation available is important to learn and understand how to use the software. Poor documentation leads to high training costs
Scalability of the software One of key factors, which

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Software Applications

...Choosing Software Applications Jasmine Hives CIS/568 August 31, 2015 Kenneth Pinaire Choosing Software Applications It is vital that you choose a software tool that fits the requirements of your application today and with no trouble balances as your system develops. Currently there is an entire innovative group of software products that bring the value IT consultants are looking for. Many have been built to provide the competences essential to function as a service provider combined into the enterprise. “Organizations generally seek technology as a method to increase productivity, solve issues and save money.  Not having a well-defined strategy for purchasing software could result in the purchase of varied software products and services that actually cost you more money in the long term, due to long-term maintenance costs, lack of use or the use of similar systems to fill in the feature gaps” (Rogers). Using the following criteria in evaluating software: functionality, cost and financial terms, vendor’s success stories, and security; it will guarantee that you select a software solution that meet a precise business necessity. In this paper I will describe how using the selected criteria would help in choosing a software application for an organization. Functionality When selecting a software application you must first look at the software’s functionality. The organization should ask the question: Does the package do what the organization needs? Functionality is the...

Words: 1205 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Modern System Analysis and Design

...Chapter 2 The Origins of Software 1) Hardware manufacturers are one source of software. Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Page Ref: 33 2) The first administrative information system was General Electric's payroll system. Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Page Ref: 30 3) Internal corporate information systems departments now spend a smaller portion of their time and effort on developing systems from scratch. Answer: TRUE Diff: 1 Page Ref: 30 4) Third-party sourcing is the practice of turning over responsibility of some to all of an organization's information systems applications and operations to an outside firm. Answer: FALSE Diff: 2 Page Ref: 30 5) Outsourcing is an alternative analysts need to be aware of. Answer: TRUE Diff: 1 Page Ref: 32 6) An organization may move to outsourcing for political reasons. Answer: TRUE Diff: 1 Page Ref: 31 7) Reducing time to market is one reason for outsourcing. Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Page Ref: 31 8) Hiring a company to run your applications on your own computers is an example of outsourcing. Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Page Ref: 31 9) A company may consider outsourcing if it feels that its core mission does not involve managing an information systems unit and that it might achieve more effective computing by turning over all of its operations to a more experienced, computer-oriented company. Answer: TRUE Diff: 2 Page Ref: 31 10) Based on 2007 total revenues, the number one global software company is Microsoft. Answer: ...

Words: 5644 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

Cloud Managment

...or Management Layer.  In the current cloud environment an organization could very easily have applications that are being run in a private, public, and/or a hybrid cloud(s). We need to efficiently manage this cloud infrastructure, including the resource configuration, resource provisioning and resource monitoring and automation of applications across the leading private public cloud platforms. Select two full-service Cloud Management software vendors (besides EMC2) that would allow an organization to optimize the management of their cloud computing resources. Compare and contrast these two vendors on the functionality they provide on at least six criteria. Make sure to compare them on the same six criteria. Check the Grading Rubric to ensure complete compliance with assignment requirements. Document your findings in a word processing document and attach to this assignment. File Name should be in the following format: WA3-LastName-FirstName Cisco and IBM are two full-service cloud vendors. In fact, cisco and IBM are the top leaders of cloud computing infrastructure. These companies offer organizations enterprise-class cloud services with the control they desire and need. This includes optimizing the management of their cloud computing resources. “"Cisco and IBM have been pioneers in enterprise networking and network management solutions provisioning. These companies have established themselves as key vendors of networking and computing resource management solutions...

Words: 1143 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Case Study

...Microsoft CRM: Go Software http://nucleusresearch.com/library/microsoft-roi/f1.pdf http;//www.wne.edu/news/index.cfm/selection=doc.2507&DCIid=14709 Go Software Goals: 1. To find a solution that doesn’t crash. Their current solution was crashing about once a week. The company realized that this was impacting their sales as well as product support productivity. 2. To find two systems that could integrate so orders and contacts didn’t have to be entered twice. 3. Since the contact database was growing Go software wanted to prevent problems with performance and scalability. 4. Finding software that has the ability to rapidly customize screens to reduce order entry time. 5. To find a company to help implement the solution. Go Software Solution 1. Choosing Microsoft CRM based on its ability to integrate with Great Plains and other application. Microsoft CRM also had the ability to quickly customize screens to reduce order entry time. Microsoft CRM also had the SQL database support. (“ROI Case Study” 2005) 2. Looking for company to help them implement the solution. Finding Customer Effective, A Microsoft VAR that had experience implementing solutions. 3. GO mapped existing processes and practices to the new solution and figure out the changes that were needed to be made. 4. Then it developed a custom order-entry interface that pushed new records into Great Plains and then pushed it...

Words: 489 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Software Engineering Advantages

...1.3 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DIVERSITY Software engineering takes into account the practical cost, dependability issues, schedule, customers and stakeholder’s needs or expectations (Sommerville, 2016:24). Methods, tools and techniques used to develop software depends on the vendor or organisation developing the software, type of software to be developed and people involved in the development process. The best practice to determine the most suitable software engineering methods, tools and techniques, is to understand the type of application being developed. The following are types of applications: a) Stand-alone applications - these are application systems which operate on a desktop or personal computers or mobile devices. In other words, they...

Words: 1078 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Choosing a Communication Medium

...Choosing a Communication Medium Group Dynamics Choosing a communication medium for the scenario provided I would select The following. * Email * Web sites * Intranet * Video Conferencing Email is a great source to receive information and data needed for all the training required. Information from the IT department and from the vendor can be emailed to each individual of the group. All information pertaining to the competition’s product can also be sent via email. Web sites also contain valuable information such as the competitor’s product site, information on developmental strategies and more. You could also view information on the successful sales methods through your own intranet or by viewing the “Best Of The Best Marketing Awards” information. Both methods above are the best way to gather the pertinent information needed for your training sessions. Although, the information and data needed for this training exercise should be gathered by the lead trainer. Then sent out to each individual assigned by each company as the designated trainee. The best method for this would be via email or web posting for downloading. As for which computer mediated communication method I would recommend for the training I would have to say video conferencing. Scheduling and planning when would depend on time zones, but it is possible. With this scenario it involves visual information, such as the new software application and information that was gathered via email along...

Words: 485 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Cisco

...1) Cisco suffered from inertia when an attempt was made to engage business management in selecting software for their individual areas, and/or agreeing to participate in the ERP implementation project. List and explain reasons why management would hesitate to become engaged in the IT process/project. Blow is the reasons why management would hesitate to become engaged in the IT process/project. In the first place, the company’s CIO planned to let each functional area make its own decision regarding the application and timing of its move. The management wanted Cisco to keep with its tradition of standardization which shows the organizational and budgetary structures the CIO of the company had installed upon his arrival. In this tradition of standardization, all functional areas would be required to use common architecture and database. Although the existing application did not provide the degree of redundancy, reliability and maintainability the company’s business needed and the company’s significant growth prospects convinced the management the company needed a change, what they did would just run over the legacy systems they had in place and constantly band-aid the existing systems. No one really throw out the legacies and do something big. The management thought the autonomous approach to systems replacement they had adopted was going to be sufficient. Secondly, the management would hesitate to become engaged in the IT process born out of concerns about the types of “mega-projects”...

Words: 1462 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Bsa/375 Week4

...program” (Apollo Group, 2015, p. 2). Cost, schedule, and performance are three factors that will determine the approach to take concerning the system to be implemented. When using the following criteria for choosing off-the-shelf software and hardware products, it should include the following: * Cost of all project materials, logistics, and support during installation and there-after, training of new system to employees and management. * Functionality proposed system components * Vendor logistics and support * Flexibility of the use and ability to adapt to new needs later as the KFF needs arises. * Documentation * Response time * Emergency plan for issues to arise * Ease of installation * Testing of installed system * Finalize system operations Requests for proposals (RFP) are a good starting point for researching information about commercially made off-the shelf system software, how it performs, and the costs. Keep in mind that the cost will involve comparing the differences of developing internally created software or buying a commercial license type software package. When comparing the cost of purchasing vendor upgrades or have an annual license fee with the costs...

Words: 730 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Erp Software Comparison

...is a tool used to integrate the data and processes of an organization into a single system using many components including hardware, software and a unified database. Many companies utilize ERP software to manage a suite of applications from cost, development, product planning, financial management, to manufacturing. The benefits of ERP systems are not without cost. There is initial implementation, software, hardware, data storage, training, maintenance and upgrade cost that maybe associated with any ERP System. Depending on the size of the company these cost can be in the thousands, to hundreds of thousands, to millions of dollars. For companies like Kennametal, to make significant changes to an ERP System once implemented, or to completely migrate to a different ERP System can multiply those cost. (Wisner, J., Tan, K., & Leong, G., 2012. p. 198). There are many ERP software solutions for major corporations that fit all budgets and offer a variety of features based on a firm’s needs. Three of those companies we will discuss in closer detail are Oracle, SAP, and Microsoft. Each of these companies offer the ability to configure their software to be tailored to an organizations specific demands; whether it be, choosing a type of inventory accounting or how the company choses to recognize its profits. In addition, each of these three companies offer functionality by providing the option to have ERP data housed on a server in a specified location or, an increasingly more popular...

Words: 1117 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Bank of Central Queensland

...business case distinguishes three prominent software vendors that propose three different solutions that contribute to Bank of central Queensland (BCQ) progress.BCQ is a financial institution offering core banking (commercial/retail) services, equipment finance, wealth management and insurance. BCQ uses its unique concept of the Owner-Managed Branch (OMB), which is a partnership between the Bank of central Queensland (franchisor) and experienced bank managers (franchisees) to provide banking services. The bank operates a network of over 280 branches Australia-wide. With the growing demands for effectiveness and efficiency, BCQ is faced with a robust necessity to upgrade its technology and business processes in order to stay competitive. CRM/ data warehouse solution is one of the preferred option that the bank is desperate to implement to outshine in their service and maintain its dominant customer base while using it to unveil campaigns targeting new customers. The case business has the detail description about the three CRM proposals offered by different companies. Executive Overview The way companies use and pay for customer relationship management (CRM) applications is unpredictable. Switching from a primarily continuous license-based system, where businesses funded a huge up-front sum with yearly maintenance charges, CRM software providers are now steering towards monthly or annual payment fees to access web-based CRM software. The different pricing arrangements can...

Words: 2618 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Cis Final Project

...Computer Concepts and Applications-GS July 2015 Final Project You have been hired by a medium size (approximately 200 employees) widget manufacturing company to do a complete evaluation of their computer needs and make recommendations to them about an information system to support their business. Currently several of their support departments are using manual processes and they wish to automate their accounting and human resources business processes. They also want to harness the power of the Internet in their business. Making Your Company Greater Through Technology As we head into the future, it important for any business organization to be prepared. The evolution of business technologically is rapid, and it’s important to stay updated. As this company continues to grow, many changes need to be considered to help its continued success. One of the most important changes that need to be considered is an implementation of an information system to support the business. This system will be implemented throughout the company and support departments such as accounting and human resources. What is an Information System? An information system is the corresponding networks or components of hardware and software that are used to accumulate, filter, develop, create, and deliver information. There are four main components of an information system: hardware, software, data, and communication. Hardware is the part of the information system that a person can touch- the tangible...

Words: 1593 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Project Management Software

...No: MUHAMAD KAMARUDDIN BIN MAT MAIDI 2013609712 | Assignment Title : PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE | Due date of Assignment : 14/8/2013 Submission Date : 14/8/2013 | DECLARATION : We declare that no part of of this assignment has been copied from other person’s work except where due acknowledgement is made in the text, and no part of this assignment has been written for me by any other person except where such collaboration has been authorised by the lecturer concerned Group’s Leader Signature............................................................. Date........................................ A lecturer/tutor has and may exercise a right not to mark this assignment if the the above declaration has not been signed. If the above declaration is found to be false, no mark will be awarded for this assignment Copyright@Estate Management Dept, UiTM Perak TABLE OF CONTENT No | Content | Page | 1. | Acknowledgement | 3 | 2. | Introduction | 4 | 3. | Definition | 5 | 4. | Types of Project Management Software | 5~6 | 5. | Characteristics | 7~8 | 6. | Advantage and Disadvantages | 9 | 7. | Project Management Application | 10 | 8. | Conclusion | 11 | 9. |...

Words: 2246 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Firewalls

...DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY An assignment IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT TO THE COURSE ACS 431 Presented by: Gladys Mumbua (10-1809) Submitted to MR FREDRICK OGOR FIREWALLS A firewall is a device that serves as a barrier between networks providing access control, traffic filtering and other security features. Firewalls are commonly deployed between trusted and untrusted networks, for example between the Internet (untrusted) and an organization’s trusted private various network. They [firewalls] can also be used internally to segment an organization’s network infrastructure, for example; deploying a firewall between the traffic was received to determining whether the corporate financial information and the rest of the company network. A firewall can either be software-based or hardware-based and is used to help keep a network secure. Its primary objective is to control the incoming and outgoing network traffic by analyzing the data packets and determining whether it should be allowed through or not, based on a predetermined rule set. A network's firewall builds a bridge between an internal network that is assumed to be secure and trusted, and another network, usually an external (inter)network, such as the Internet, that is not assumed to be secure and trusted. Hardware based firewalls: Hardware firewalls are exactly what the name implies; hardware device that is placed somewhere in the traffic flow of an organization’s network. Once in place, the device receives and analyzes packets...

Words: 1098 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Documentum Inc Case

...database knowledge with software systems dedicated to enterprise document management. Documentum software has the capacity to interface with many operating platforms and manages unstructured content such as technical procedure documents, medical records, financial, and inventory data. During the timeframe examined during the Harvard Business School case “Documentum, Inc.”, Documentum was in “Stage One – Growth” as they were a new industry that offered a superior buyer surplus compared with the available substitutes. This surplus was founded on innovative product features through the management of unstructured document information. Documentum was focused on automating the business processes of large enterprises. As a startup, they were required to bridge the trust gap of that enterprise. It has been noted that firms choosing to implement technology developed by fledgling companies are essentially sticking out their proverbial neck. Firms were required to front significant investment in capital and resources and the failure rates in such automation projects were very high (on the order of 15% - 50% depending on the project). Furthermore, Documentum faced challenges related to their financial viability, product development and testing resources, and their execution experience. Documentum’s primary cost driver was research and development in an amount relating to 328% of sales percentage for 1992. While working on the New Drug Application processing system, Documentum...

Words: 517 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Chapter 4 Webcase "Whitmann Price Consulting: Software Considerations"

...three types of software made the BlackBerry ideal for meeting the needs of Whitmann Price? Improvement projects that are enterprise-wide include the development of three different types of software. These types include “server software to provide information from corporate databases or other information and communications services, client software to run on the user’s machines, and sometimes middleware to allow different types of systems to communicate” (Stair & Reynolds, 2008 Webcase). Josh and Sandra are pleased with the Whitmann Price compatibility and effectiveness of the in-house software-server software, which does not require any changes at this time. They are also satisfied with the BlackBerry software due to the easy connection it provides to the server, which would be considered the machine used to run the client software. Nevertheless, they should be concerned with the middleware that would allow the handheld devices to link properly with their server. 2. How did the choice of hardware affect options for software solutions? What difference would it make if Sandra and Josh picked a newly developed handheld device unknown in industry? The choice of hardware used in any situation will affect which software solutions can be used as well as associated with what will need to be changed or upgraded. By choosing the BlackBerry, they will not have to alter or upgrade the server that is currently being used, nor will they have to change the software that is being...

Words: 979 - Pages: 4