Business Software:

Business software is an application software that helps people to perform business activities effectively and efficiently. Different types of business software are as follows:

1. Word Processing Software
2. Spreadsheet Software
3. Presentation Software
4. Database Software
5. Personal Information Managers
6. Software Suite
7. Project Management Software
8. Accounting software

1.Word Processing Software:

Word process software is the most widely used type of application software. It is also called word processor. It is used to create, edit and format documents such as letters, reports and resumes etc. Word processing is used by business organizations, government agencies and individuals for creating different types of documents. Some examples of word processing software are Microsoft Word, Pages and Word Perfect.

Features of Word Processing Software:

Some Important features of word processing software are as follows:

  

Word Wrap:  The user processor automatically moves to the next line when the user one line is filled with text. It adjusts the text if the margins are changed.

Formatting:  Word processing software provides a wide range of formatting facilities. The user can change the color,background color, size and style of text. The formatting can be applied on characters, paragraphs or whole pages.

Printing:  Word processing software provides printing facility. The user can print documents to get a hard copy. The user can print the whole document or any range of pages.

Find and Replace:  The find feature is used to find a certain character, word or phrase in the document. The Replace feature is used to find a certain character, word or phrase in the document replace it with another. 

Spelling and Grammar:  Spelling and Grammar features is used to detect and correct the spelling and grammatical mistakes in the documents.

Auto Correct:  Word processing software automatically corrects many commonly misspelled words and capitalization errors with Auto Correct feature.

Thesaurus:  This feature provides the synonyms for a word in the document. A word with same meaning is known as synonym. 

Tables: Word processing software provides the facility of tables to organize data. Table is a collection of rows and columns.The user can easily add rows and columns from a table without disturbing data. 

Column: Word processing software allows dividing the page in the form of columns. The user can use any number of columns in the document. A page with columns looks like text in a newspaper or magazine. 

Header and Footer: Word processing software provides the facility to insert headers and footers in a document.Header is the text that appears at the top of each page. Footer is the text that appears at the bottom of each page. Page numbers, company names or dates are normally used in headers and footers.

Auto Text: Word processing software provided the feature to store text permanently for using repeatedly in documents.

Template: A template is a preformatted document that serves as a model to create new documents. It is used to create professional letters, memos and reports easily.

Mail merge: Mail merge is a process of combining a form letter with the contents of database. It is usually a name and address list. The mail merge feature make it easy to send the same letter to a list of different people with the correct name and address printed on each letter.

Voice Recognition: Some latest word processing software provides voice recognition facility. The user speaks into the microphone and the words are written in the document. It can also recognize different commands.

Uses of Word Processing Software for Office Work:

Word processing software can be used to manage office work in the following ways:

• Preparing Letters
• Preparing Applications
• Preparing Notices
• Preparing Faxes 
• Preparing Memorandums
• Preparing Legal Pleadings
• Preparing Meeting Agendas
• Preparing Calendar
• Preparing Resumes
• Preparing Reports 

2. Spreadsheet Software:

Spreadsheet software is a widely used application software fore calculations. Millions of people use spreadsheet software to perform different tasks more quickly and accurately. It provides worksheets to enter data. A worksheet is a collection of rows and columns. It allows the user to make different calculations using formulas and built- in functions. Spreadsheet software also provides the facility to display data graphically using charts. Some examples of spreadsheet software are Microsoft Excel, Numbers and Quattro Pro.

Application Of spreadsheet:

Some important applications of spreadsheet software are as follows;

• It can be used by corporations to track profit and losses
• Economists can generate growth graphs of country's economy
• Statisticians can calculate probability of crashing the market
• Women can manage their household budgets.

Features Of Spreadsheet Software

• Calculation
• Recalculation
• Chart
• Auto Fill
• Sorting
• Filter
• Auditing
• Printing
• Auto Complete

3.Presentation Software:

Presentation software is a type of application software that uses graphics, animation, sound and data or information to make visual presentation. These presentations can be used directly on the computer screen. The presentations can also be viewed as slides on a large monitor or projection screen. The user can also print them for different uses.Some examples of presentation software are MS PowerPoint, Keynote and presentations.

                              

                                                    

Features Of Presentation Software

• Formatting 
• Printing
• Predefined Formats
• Slide Layout
• Audio and Video
• Auto Shapes 
• Clipart gallery 
• Spelling and Grammar 
• Animation
• Slide Transition
• Slide Timing
• Speaker Notes

4. Database Software:

A database is a collection of organized data. The data in a database can be accessed, retrieved and used easily.Database software is application software that is used to create, access and manage a database. It is also known as database management system. The user can use it to add, change and delete data in a database. It can also be used to create forms and reports using the data in the database. Some examples of database software are Microsoft Access, MySQL and Oracle.

5. Personal Information Managers:

Personal information manager (PIM) is a software application installed on PDAs and smartphones. It includes an appointment calendar, address book, notepad and other features to organize appointments and tasks etc. PIMs can manage different types of information, such as telephone messages, notes, reminders, address lists and important appointments. An appointment calendar is used to schedule activities for a particular day and time. An address book can be used to enter and maintain names, addresses and phone numbers of other people. A notepad can be used to record ideas, reminders and other important information.

6. Software Suite:

A set of application software available as a single package is called software suite. When the software suite is installed, all application software in the suite are installed. Normally, a software suite consists of word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation graphics. Most widely used software suites are Microsoft Office and Lotus Smart Suite. Purchasing a software suite is comparatively less expensive than purchasing each application separately. It is also easier to use because all applications in the suite usually use similar interface.

7. Project Management Software:
Project management software is used to plan, schedule, track and analyze the events, resources and costs of a project. This software is used by different types of people to manage and complete the projects within time. For example, a software developer can use it to develop the software within the specified time. A construction manager can use it to manage the schedule of the construction. Some examples of  project management software are Project Manager, Primavera SureTrak and Project.

8. Accounting Software:  
Accounting software is used to store and report financial transaction of companies. It is used to generate general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing, invoicing, job costing and payroll functions. Accounting software is also used to write and print checks, update and reconcile balances on demand etc. Latest accounting packages also provide online deposit and payroll services. This facility allows companies to deposit paychecks directly into accounts of their employees. Many accounting applications provide many complex facilities such as multiple company reporting, foreign currency reporting and forecasting the amount of raw material needed for products. Some examples of accounting software are Peachtree, Accounting and QuickBooks.