Transcript Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Terms
Applications Software
for Business
Introduction to Information Systems
Judith C. Simon
Slide 5-1
"Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted in
Section 117 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without the
express written permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.
Request for further information should be addressed to the
Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The
purchaser may make back-up copies for his/her own use only
and not for distribution or resale. The Publisher assumes no
responsibility for errors, omissions, or damages, caused by the
use of these programs or from the use of the information
contained herein."
Slide 5-2
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Add-on package:
software with special features that can be used along with a
basic software program such as a spreadsheet or word
processing package

Artificial intelligence (AI) software:
methods of using computer capabilities to imitate human
thinking and reasoning processes

Calendaring and scheduling software:
software that electronically checks calendar then schedules
meetings to fit those calendars
Slide 5-3
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Cell:
the intersection of a vertical column and horizontal row on
a spreadsheet, representing one location for entry of data

Context-sensitive help screen:
help facility that, when activated, displays the help topic
related to the current activity being performed

Database software:
software designed primarily for use with many types of
data that need to be linked in a variety of ways at different
times
Slide 5-4
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Decision support system (DSS) software:
software that assists users with decisions in which some or
all of the information needed is not known in advance
(semistructured or unstructured decision)

Editing:
software capable of changing data in a document, such as
inserting, deleting, copying, or moving characters

Executive information system (EIS):
easy-to-use system designed to provide summary data to
top-level executives, with a drill-down capability to view
additional details as needed
Slide 5-5
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Expert system software:
a form of artificial intelligence software that includes a
reasoning capability; designed to assist in decision making
by basing recommendations on information provided by
experts

Formatting:
software capability of changing the appearance of data,
such as underlining or centering a group of words

Forms processing software:
software with special capabilities related to use of forms,
such as designing, completing, and transmitting forms
electronically
Slide 5-6
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Goal-seeking analysis:
analysis that begins with a desired end result (a goal) and
works back to determine the data or path needed to reach
that goal

Graphics software:
software with a capability of creating many types of charts
or pictorial displays

Group decision support system (GDSS) software:
specializes DSS designed to be used when multiple
persons are involved in making one decision; also referred
to as group support system (GSS) software
Slide 5-7
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Help screen:
on-screen assistance in completing specific software tasks

Inference engine:
the feature of an expert system that handles the processing
of rules and facts to reach a conclusion, using either
forward or backward chaining (path direction)

Knowledge acquisition facility:
facility of an expert system that allows the knowledge
engineer (developer) to enter appropriate information and
relationships into a knowledge base
Slide 5-8
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Knowledge base:
the part of an expert system that includes facts based on
information gathered from experts, as well as rules that
indicate procedures to follow in using the facts

Macro:
software capability of storing a series of steps that can be
activated and used easily; macros save time when the same
steps are used repeatedly for a particular activity

Menu-driven help screen:
help facility that gives users on-screen options for
choosing a topic with which they need assistance
Slide 5-9
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Model:
a representation of some business activity or system that
allows changes to be tested on the model instead of on the
actual system

Neural network:
a form of artificial intelligence software that imitates some
functions of the human brain, such as learning capacity

Office application software:
programs designed to assist in performing many activities
found in business offices
Slide 5-10
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Office automation:
using information technology to automate office activities

Presentation graphics:
software with a capability of creating graphic materials of
high enough quality for use in making oral presentations

Project management software:
software that assists in planning, scheduling and
controlling all aspects of important project activities
Slide 5-11
Chapter 5 Terms Review

Smart icons:
on-screen picture representing a specific function;
selecting the picture activates the function (e.g., the user
selects a printer icon to activate a printing activity)

Spreadsheet software:
software designed primarily for numeric activities and
containing vertical columns and horizontal rows in which
data is entered, somewhat like an accountant’s worksheet

User interface:
computer system capability that allows the knowledge
engineer (developer) to enter appropriate information and
relationships in a knowledge base
Slide 5-12
Chapter 5 Terms Review

What-if analysis:
capability of changing data in one location to see its effect
on related data

Word processing software:
software designed for use primarily in creating documents
containing paragraph data, such as letters and reports

Workflow software:
software with special capabilities relating to automating
the flow of many types of work processes
Slide 5-13
Slide 5-14