Business Intelligence Core Subject – 15 Unit Credits

Lecture 4 Mechanisms : Application Software & Database Advantages and Disadvantages of Application Software Types and functions of application software DBMS Database types Software Issues

APPLICATION SOFTWARE An application software are programs designed to give users the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks. Application programs interact with system software, and the system software directs the computer hardware to perform the necessary tasks. Application help you perform common tasks such as creating and formatting text documents, performing calculations, or _____________ information. Application software is used throughout the medical profession to save and prolong lives. For example, Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington uses content management software from Oracle to access patient records when and where they are needed.

ADVANTAGES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE Meet the exact needs of the user. Custom-made application ____________ is very small. Licensed application software gets regular updates.

DISADVANTAGES OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE Quite costly. Software designed may not be ____________with other general software. Takes time. Shared software online carries a real threat.

TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF APPLICATION SOFTWARE A company can either develop a one-of-a-kind program for a specific application called Proprietary Software. Or purchase and use an existing software program called Off-The-Shelf Software. It is also possible to modify off-the-shelf programs, giving a customized approaches. Proprietary Software Off-The-Shelf Software Advantages Disadvantages You can get exactly what you need in terms of features, reports and so on. It can take a long time and significant resources to develop required features. The initial cost is lower because the software firm can spread the development costs over many customers. An organization might have to pay for features that are not required and never used. Being involved in the development offers control over the results. In-house system development staff may become pressured to provide the required level of ongoing support and maintenance because of pressure to move on to other new projects. The software is likely to meet the basic business needs. You can analyze existing features and performance of the package before purchasing. The software might lack important features, thus require future modification or customization. This can be very expensive because users must adopt future releases of the software as well.

PERSONAL APPLICATION SOFTWARE Features of personal application software are summarized in the table below. Types of Software Explanation Example Word processing Create, edit and print text documents. Microsoft Word Google Docs Apple Pages Spreadsheet Provide a wide range of built-in functions for statistical, financial, logical, database, graphics, and date and time calculations. Microsoft Excel IBM Lotus 1-2-3 Google Spreadsheet Apple Numbers Database Store, manipulate and retrieve data. Microsoft Access IBM Lotus Approach Graphics Plan, schedule and control people and resources (money, time and technology) needed to complete a project according to schedule. Adobe Illustrator Adobe Freehand Desktop Publishing (DTP) Use with personal computers and high-resolution printers to create high-quality printed output, including text and graphics; various styles of pages can be laid out; art and text files from other programs can also be integrated into published pages. Microsoft Publisher Adobe PageMaker Quark XPress

MOBILE APPLICATION SOFTWARE These days, most mobile devices run on one of two operating systems: Android or iOS. The APIs and software development kits designed for these __________________have given software developers the opportunity to develop applications specifically for mobile use on a small display.

WORKGROUP APPLICATION SOFTWARE Designed to support teamwork, whether people are in the same location or dispersed around the world. This support can be accomplished with software known as Groupware that helps groups of people work together effectively. Example of workgroup software include electronic mail and other software that enables people to share ideas. Web-based software is ideal for group use. Because documents are stored on an Internet server, anyone with an Internet connection can access them easily. Google also provides a tool for creating __________________and surveys.

ENTERPRISE APPLICATION SOFTWARE Software that benefits an entire organization – developed specifically for the business or purchase off the shelf. The primary benefits of implementing ERP software include ______________________, easing adoption of improved work processes, improving access to data for operational decision making and enabling supply chain management. An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a software with A centralized database that can be used to run an entire company.

DATABASE APPLICATIONS A database is an organized collection of data. A database can contribute to organizational success by providing managers and decision makers with timely, accurate, and relevant information based on data. Database also help companies generate information to reduce costs, increase profits, track past business activities and open new market opportunities.

DATABASE APPLICATIONS Database applications are ideal for storing, manipulating and retrieving data. There applications are useful when you need to manipulate a large amount of data and produce reports and documents. The uses of a database application are varied. Database manipulations include merging, editing and sorting data. These applications allow users to link the company databases to the Internet, set up data warehouses and marts, uses databases for strategic business intelligence, use ____________________and search for and use unstructured data such as audio and video.

DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM A database management system (DBMS) consists of group of programs that ______________ the database and provide an interface between the database and its users and other application programs. Example of a database system is MySQL. Payroll data Inventory data Invoicing data Other data Payroll program REPORTS Inventory control program Database Management system Invoicing program Database Interface Application programs Management inquiries Users

OVERVIEW OF DATABASE TYPES Flat File A simple database program whose records have no relationship to one another. Flat file databases are often used to store and manipulate a single table or file. Spreadsheet and word-processing programs have flat file capabilities. These software packages can sort tables and make simple calculations and comparisons. One example is Microsoft OneNote.

OVERVIEW OF DATABASE TYPES Single User A database installed on a personal computer is typically meant for a single user. Microsoft Office Access and FileMaker Pro are designed to support single-user implementation. Multiple User Small, midsize and large businesses need multiuser DBMSs to share information throughout the organization over a network. These powerful, expensive systems allow dozens or hundreds of people to access the same database system at the same time. One database can serve many locations around the world. Multiusers database system examples include Oracle, Microsoft and IBM.

SOFTWARE ISSUES Software Bugs A defect in a computer program that keeps it from performing. Some are obvious and cause program to ___________________ and others are more subtle and allow errors to creep into your work. Tips for reducing the impact of software bugs: Register all software so that you receive bug alerts, fixes and patches. Install the latest software updates. Check the manual or read-me files for solutions to known problems. Access the support area of the manufacturer’s Website for patches.

SOFTWARE ISSUES Copyrights and Licenses Most software products are protected by law using copyright or licenses. In some cases, you are given unlimited use of software on one or two computers. In other cases, you pay for your usage – if you use the software more, you pay more. Most of these protections prevent you from __________________ and giving it to others without restrictions. Some software now requires you to register or activate it before it can be fully used.

Reference: CENGAGE LEARNING International Edition - Information Systems Essentials 6th Edition (Ralph Stair | George Reynolds) https://techspirited.com/advantages-disadvantages-of-application-software

Activity What is the difference between Application software and System Software? Provide example for each. Discuss how new technology such as smart phones/tablets has changed the way in which applications software is used. Which of the following are operating systems and which are applications: Microsoft Excel, Google Chrome, iTunes, Windows, Android, Angry Birds.