Application package software, or simply an application package, is a collection of software programs that have been developed for the purpose of being licensed to third-party organizations. Application packages are generally designed to support commonly performed business functions and appeal to multiple types of user organizations. Although a package may be tailored to a user's specific needs through parameters or tables, the software itself is not individualized to a given organization in the same way that custom-designed, custom-coded software would typically be tailored.
Examples of application packages include accounting systems, human resources software, and enterprise resource planning ERP software. Application software, within the context of this discussion, does not include all-purpose tools such as Excel, Quicken, or Word. Spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software are all-purpose tools that perform application functions -- in the hands of sophisticated users.
Download your complimentary copy of Fitting Off-the-Shelf Applications to Meet Your Needs and discover the benefits of adopting application packages, the required software changes, and some of the common difficulties. Read It Now. Application packages perform business-specific functions, as opposed to operating system or environmental software such as IBM's zSeries operating system or Windows NT. Most important is the fact that while operating or environmental software upgrades are typically transparent to the business community, application package upgrades are not.
Early application packages focused on accounting or financial solutions. Application packages eventually offered manufacturing, customer management, human resources, and various other functions.
Many of theses systems were designed using the same principles as inhouse legacy applications. Early packages focused on a single function within a corporate or government hierarchy, such as accounting, and were built using older software languages and programming techniques. This has caused application packages to become inflexible and increasingly hard to fine-tune to customer requirements.
Application packages must be integrated into inhouse application and data architectures. As a result, inhouse programming teams have had to modify application packages, and this has resulted in difficulties in reintegrating vendor upgrades back into the package software.
Falling behind current releases of a given package increases the challenge of upgrading packages exponentially. Over the past decade, a variety of ERP packages were released that appealed to executives frustrated with inadequate responsiveness from inhouse programming teams.
Many times, the decision to acquire and install these packages is driven by senior management, based on promises from vendors stating that the package will provide a low-cost way to rid themselves of legacy systems while delivering new business functionality. The promise of application packages, however, is contrasted by reality in many situations -- as our survey shows. The survey was commissioned to determine the benefits and challenges associated with deploying and integrating application packages.
There were 76 respondents from a wide range of industries, government agencies, and nonprofit centers. The main goal of the survey was to cut through the anecdotal discussions about packaged software and expose the realities of what organizations are actually doing when it comes to deploying and benefiting from application packages. The approach taken in analyzing the application package survey involved comparing the perceptions and expectations of what organizations thought a given application package could provide versus the actual results experienced by respondents.
This focus included:. The survey sought to determine which types of application packages an organization has licensed and deployed. Application package categories represented in the survey range from enterprise software to more specialized, off-the-shelf offerings see Graph 1 in the Survey Data section :.
In addition, respondents provided input for varying cross-sections of their organizations. IT organization size ranges from very small fewer than 50 employees to very large more than 1, For more details on survey demographics, including location and revenue, see page The respondent profile indicates that application packages are in use by companies and government agencies that range from very small to very large. These organizations cross a variety of industries and regions that have large inhouse support infrastructures as well as smaller support structures.
In other words, application packages are not limited to organizations of a particular industry, demographic, or size. This section discusses the experiences of the organizations that implemented one or more application packages. This analysis is focused on responses from those that either deployed or attempted to deploy a package and the issues they encountered.
The first question used to qualify respondents was to determine the degree to which an organization has deployed an application package see Graph 2. This sampling not only provides the foundation for the remainder of the survey but also suggests an important aspect of package utilization. This is evidence of the fact that organizations do not fully utilize application packages. At the centre of such systems, there is usually a general ledger, a facility for handling accounts payable and receivable, a payroll module, and a reporting function.
Some accounting packages will also offer functions specifically for certain types of organisations or businesses. This introduction to accounting software will explain its main functions, benefits, and what solutions are available. Accounting Software is vital for a business to fully understand their situation, determine the success of their business performance, and run a successful venture. To get the best out of your purchase, you will need to answer some simple questions.
The answers will ensure that you can analyse the available options and select the solution with the best possible fit to your organisations. In need of inspiration? You can find our shortlist of the best accounting software here. Data entry into accounting software can be carried out far more quickly than manual processing thanks to its built-in databases of stock customers, supplier details and stock records.
Despite popular belief, there are plenty of low cost accounting software on the market. This means that you can still get access to basic accounting benefits without sacrificing all your cashflow at once. And added bonus is that Accounting Software reduces time spent by staff doing accounts, and reduce audit expenses as the system safeguards the accuracy of the data.
Money saved is money earned, right? Additionally, it allows for fast and accurate invoicing, and fast production of documents, as reports can be drawn directly from software. All documents including invoices, credit notes, purchase orders, printing statements and payroll can be automatically generated, which streamlines the process which was once incredibly time-consuming when executed manually.
If your business is on the market for a UK accounting software, you're in for an extra treat: a good solution effectively removes the risk of human error, as only one accounting entry is required as opposed to two or three when done manually.
The Accounting Software is updated automatically, so account balances such as customer and client accounts are always up-to-date. Information is instantly accessible on work systems, and is available to employees in different locations at the same time.
Better use can be made of time and resources, and cash flow is improved due to easier debt collections and stock control. Accounting Software adds a layer of security to records.
Quick Guide to Exl-Plan Versions. Fast Facts. Top of Page. When to Use Exl-Plan Exl-Plan is a software tool which you can use for preparing financial projections for a business. These projections are required when a new or established business is: preparing a business plan, making cashflow projections, exploring development options, planning major developments or diversifications, constructing budgets, developing strategies, raising external finance, exploring an acquisition and so on Exl-Plan: Try Now for Free.
Excel with Exl-Plan. Excel Alone. Load Exl-Plan 2. Enter assumptions 3. Review results No writing formulae, no formatting, no programming, no testing, no designing, no charting, no correcting, no messing!
Design model 2. Load blank workbook 3. Layout worksheets 4. Create assumption cells 5. Design report formats 6. Enter all formulae 7. Format worksheets 8. Create charts 9. Develop menus Create shortcuts. Enter test data Correct errors Retest Enter assumptions One of the most prominent examples is something like the Microsoft Office package, which includes individual applications such as Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. In some ways, a software package today is similar to what it was 20 years ago.
In other key ways, the software package is decidedly different. The Microsoft example is a good one. Although the Microsoft Office suite is still sold as a package, and still includes many of the same branded components, the ways in which it is sold are very different. In the past, users had a single option—to purchase a software package off the shelf and install it. That same option is still available, along with other options including web-delivered software packages and subscriptions on an annual or monthly basis.
By: Brad Rudisail Contributor. By: Kaushik Pal Contributor.
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