Programming and Application Packages Off-the-shelf and Tailor-made packages Software Licensing

Off-the-shelf and Tailor-made packages

Purchasing Software When an organisation needs to buy software, they have a choice between off-the-shelf software tailor-made software This is not always an easy choice and the company must be careful as both software types have benefits and drawbacks

Off-the-Shelf software Off-the-shelf software is mass produced and can be bought from a store by the general public The user would just need to but the software and install it Some examples are photoshop, Adobe and so on.

Advantages Cheap: because the software is created only once, and it is sold to a large number of clients. User Friendly: the company which creates the software tries to create a program which is very easy to use. No Waiting Time: This software can be simply picked up, paid for, and one can start using it immediately.

Disadvantages Functionality: This software comes with a set of specified functions, so if the client wants more functionality it is not possible. Not Customised: Every business has its own needs, with a ready-made application; sometimes it’s difficult to adopt the software to the company’s business’ rules.

Tailor-Made software Tailor-made software is not found in shops but specifically made for a company. When the company wants a tailor-made software they must hire a team to create this software just for them. (System Analysis) No one else would have this software as it would me made specifically for the company in question.

Advantages Added Functionality: The organisation that purchases the tailor-made software will have exactly what it needs. Adapted: The software will be adapted to the business rules. Modules: If the client sees that a new function needs to be added, usually this can be communicated to the software company, and the additional component will be created

Disadvantages Expensive: It is more expensive to purchase this type of software, because it is only a one-off product Waiting Time: Since the program must be designed and built it takes a longer time to be produced and to use when compared to off-the-shelf software.

Software Licensing Software licensing describes the permissions, rights and restrictions of different software. Software must always have its own license, if not it would be illegal. The license also gives the user terms and conditions of use which they would need to agree to.

Different types of Software Licencing Commercial Shareware Freeware Open Source

1. Commercial This type of licensing will give you the right to use the software on one computer This means that the program cannot be copied and installed onto other computers There would also be a license accompanying the product which specifies exactly what can and what cannot be done with the software. Microsoft Office has this type of Licence

2. Shareware With this licence the user is allowed to use the software for a limited period of time During this time period the user will be able to use the software fully although some features are left out One would have to buy the software to have all the features While it is still a trial version the software could be shared with other people When the trial ends the user will have to register and buy the product.

3.Freeware This type of software is totally free. Once the software has been downloaded or installed it can be used on any number of computers and it can be shared. The only limitation with this type of software is that it cannot be modified or sold. (For a list of freeware programs visit the website www.freewarefiles.com).

4. Open-Source This type of software has become very popular. It is a totally free software and it can also be shared with any amount of people The source code of these programs can be downloaded and modified, this allows the used to change the software

Software Registration When a software is installed on a computer, it should ask the user to register the software. When the user registers the software certain details are required (such as name, surname, contact address, etc…) When the software is registered the company would be able to keep the user (customer) informed via e-mail/post about new releases of the software, new upgrades and any important news.

Updates After some time most software will become out of date The software company would create a small program which would be an add on to the installed software More often than not updates can be downloaded for free from the software’s website.

Patched Patches are similar to upgrades, The main difference is that patches fix errors (bugs) in the software and do not update with new functions Patches are also normally free

Installing software Install software is a very simple process you would normally just be asked to enter the CD and follow some simple instructions. On each software package, there will be the minimum requirements which lets the user know what they need to have for the software to work properly. The user will also find the recommended requirements, these requirements are more demanding than the minimum requirements, because without these the software will crash, slow down or not work at all.

Technical Support Some users may find it difficult to use the software and the user manual might not be very helpful, this is when they should turn to technical support. There are different forms of technical support; E-Mail Support: The user sends an email with problems, and the answer will be delivered back via email with the possible solution. Internet Support: The user chats with support personnel Telephone: The user phones the company’s dedicated line for technical support. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions): On the website, the company will have a document with questions previously asked by other users.

Piracy Piracy is the unauthorised reproduction of software, this is a type of stealing. This is when software is copied without the permission of the copyright holder. Some people make their crime worse by selling the pirated software Piracy does not only apply to the copying or illegal selling of CDs.

Other types of Piracy Swapping software with another user. Using the same software application on a number of computers. Offering the software freely on the Internet. Hard-Disk loading.

Reducing Piracy Internet Software Activation: When an application is installed, the computer will connect to the Internet, and then connect to the software’s company. Software Activation: Send the company your email along with the payment and the company will send you back a code which when entered into the application it will unblock it. CD-Check: When the software is installed and ran, the application will check if the CD in its drive. It is useless to make a copy of the original CD, because the application will recognise it. Jewel-Case Number: When purchasing original software, some of it will have a rather long number which serves as a ‘pin number’.