What is application software
What if your business could run by itself? What if you were able to monitor its functions from anywhere, anytime?
With the right application software, your business can run like a well-oiled machine. Streamlining tasks and boosting productivity could be as easy as snapping your fingers, and this would make it easy for business leaders to focus on what really matters—growing the business.
Businesses run on a myriad of repetitive processes, and the traditional business model (a dinosaur in today’s age) relies heavily on manual input to run these tasks. That’s just not going to fly with today’s highly competitive industries. And that’s where application software comes in.
Examples of application software
Businesses around the world run on a wide range of specialized application software. For large organizations to function effectively, simplifying workflows and enabling task automations are crucial factors.
Before we explore business application software, we need to have a better understanding of common application software that most people are familiar with.
| Communication | Internet Browsers | Microsoft Suite | Data Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skype, Zoom, Slack, Teams, Google Meet | Chrome, Firefox, Opera Browser | Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Edge, Word | Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive |
Your enterprise needs multiple types of business application software to function smoothly. Platforms that enable the use and seamless integration of multiple application software are known as ‘application platforms’ and they are the ultimate tools for achieving business efficiency.
What should you look for in a business application software?
Business applications are a subset of application software; they are practical tools for automating business processes. These applications aid enterprises in improving the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of operations and boost productivity exponentially.
There are several popular solutions for a variety of the most common business challenges and scenarios. However, before you zero in on any business application software for your requirement, you should know what to look for in it.
| Assess your business needs | Determine features and functionalities | Assess its usability |
| Assess its scalability | Assess the level of integration | Assess business security |
| Consider your budget | Determine customer support capabilities | - |
Types of business application software
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)ERP is the backbone of the enterprise. It integrates all the core functions of your business. |
Business Process Management (BPM)BPM enables the enterprise to track, analyze, improve and automate business tasks and processes. |
Project Management Software (PM Software)PM Software can aid your team in keeping track of projects from kickoff to completion with accessible communication and transparency. |
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)CRM enables you to automate customer-oriented tasks, store customer data, track communications, and more. |
DatabaseDatabase is the central hub of all the information your company has accumulated. |
Disadvantages of application software
Business application software comes with a few flipsides too. Here are some common drawbacks you should know when exploring the best option for your business.
CostTop-quality software can be highly priced. This includes licensing fees, subscriptions, etc. |
CompatibilitySome software can have issues pairing with your business operating systems. Careful consideration is recommended. |
Security RisksNetwork-linked software is especially vulnerable to threats like malware, viruses, etc. |
Usage Learning CurveThe time taken to learn new software can initially have a negative impact on overall productivity. |
High Resource RequirementsSome software can require resources that might overwhelm slower systems |
Over-dependenceOverly relying on an application software can be harmful. If the system develops issues, it will affect productivity deeply. |
What is the difference between application software and application platform?
Now, let’s take a quick look at the advantages of application platforms.
Most often, these terms are used interchangeably, but that is not right. There are differences between application software and application platforms.
| Feature | Application Software | Application Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Performs specific tasks or functions for end users | Provides the foundation and tools for building applications |
| Focus | Functionality and user experience | Development tools and services |
| Examples | CRM software, Project management software, Word processors, etc. | Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, JIFFY.ai |
| Customization | Limited customization options. It may offer plugins or add-ons. | Highly customizable; developers can build unique applications |
| Development Effort | Pre-built and ready-to-use | Advanced components and blocks for customization |
| Cost | One-time purchase or subscription fee | Varies depending on platform usage and features |
A powerful application platform can revolutionize the way your business approaches its activities. JIFFY.ai is a no-code AI-powered application platform that puts the power of AI in your hand. Using JIFFY.ai, your enterprise teams can build their own business applications in a jiffy without writing code. Rather than spending time and effort on building the technology tools, they can focus on business strategy and growth.
If you’re evaluating the right application platform to accelerate growth for your business, take a minute to consider each of these steps and how they might affect your choice.
How do you choose the right application platform for your business?
If you’re evaluating the right application platform to accelerate growth for your business, take a minute to consider each of these steps and how they might affect your choice.
| Factor | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Research different platforms and their functionalities to ensure they align with your application requirements. |
| Pricing and ROI | Take a hard glance at the platform’s pricing model, including licensing fees, usage-based costs, and any additional charges. Evaluate the platform's potential ROI for your business. |
| Implementation | Think about the level of complexity of the platform. Can your in-house team handle it, or will it require additional expertise? |
| System Integration | Does it fit with your existing ecosystem? Research the platform's support for third-party applications and services you may need to run. |
| Automation | Ensure the platform allows customization of automation rules to fit your specific needs. The platform should also be scalable to accommodate your business growth. |
| Ensure Support | Make sure that the platform has reliable customer support via email, phone and other channels to ensure you can reach out to deal with any issues you might face. |
To keep your business competitive in the modern marketplace, it is imperative that you deploy the most reliable application software that automates your enterprise processes and boosts productivity. Doing so will free up your team to effectively chart out the growth potential of your business.
Covering up for the shortcomings of application software, application platforms act as the foundation for your technology ecosystem. An efficient application platform can be the true pivot for business growth.
If you are considering adopting application platforms, make sure you consider factors like security, ROI, capability, integration capacity, etc, before you make a final decision.
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