Buee Construction and Industrial College

IT SS Department Level I
Program :regular

Occupation: Information Technology

Support Service
Unit of Install Software Application
Competency:
Learning 1. Determine software and upgrade
requirements
outcome: 2. Obtain software or software
upgrade
3. Install or upgrade software

Prepared by:- HNS Trainer hailemicheal mechal

UC2:- Install application
Software
 Objective:
 At the end of this Competency the student
should be able to Know how to:
 Determine software and upgrade requirements
 Obtain software or software upgrade
 Install or upgrade software
 LO1: Determine software and upgrade
requirements

Objective of this learning outcome

On this learning outcome we have to consider three
basic terms
1. What is software?
2. What is upgrading Means?
3. What are the requirement that helps to upgrade a
software?
 Computer Software
 determines the tasks a computer can help you accomplish.
Some software helps you create documents, while other
software helps you block viruses or fine-tune your
computer’s performance.
 the characteristics of application software, utilities, and
device drivers
 What is software?
 Is the instructions that tell a computer how to carry out a
task are referred to as a computer program.
 These programs form the software that prepares a computer
to do a specific task, such as document production, photo
editing, virus protection, file management, or Web browsing.
 Software
 The two main categories are
1. System Software and

2.Application software.
 System Software
 System software is designed for computer-centric tasks,
whereas application software is designed to help people
accomplish real-world tasks.
 For example, you would use system software to diagnose a
problem with your hard disk drive or Internet connection, but
you would use application software to edit a photo or write a
term paper.
 System software includes operating systems , utilities, and
device drivers.
 Application Software
 Application software can be divided into subcategories
 Application software
 Why is it called application software?
 Application software utilizes the capacities of a
computer directly for a dedicated task. Application
software is able to manipulate text, numbers and
graphics.
 It can be in the form of software focused on a certain
single task like word processing, spreadsheet or
playing of audio and video files.
 A computer certainly has many uses, such as
creating documents, crunching numbers, drawing
designs, and editing videos.
 Each use is considered an application, and the
software that provides the computer with
instructions for each use is called application
 Productivity software
 What is productivity software?
 Some types of application software are referred to as productivity
software.
 Many different definitions exist for this popular term. In general,
however, productivity software can be defined as any type of
application software that has the potential to help people do their
work more efficiently.
 The term might have originated in reference to software tools used
by businesses to increase secretarial efficiency at routine office
tasks, such as typing, filing, and basic bookkeeping.
 The applications that are most commonly associated with
productivity software include word processing, spreadsheets,
schedulers, and database management systems.
 Graphics software, presentation software, and desktop publishing
software are also sometimes classified as productivity applications.
 Utility software
 What is utility software?
 A type of system software called utility software is
designed to help you monitor and configure settings
for your computer system equipment, the operating
system, or application software.

 Like all system software, utilities focus on computer-

centric tasks such as blocking viruses or diagnosing
hard disk errors, rather than real-world tasks such as
document production or accounting. Examples of
utility software include setup wizards, communications
programs, security software, and diagnostic tools
 In recent years, antivirus products, such as Norton
Antivirus, McAfee Virus Scan Plus, and a vast! Antivirus,
have been a popular category of utility software
 DEVICE DRIVERS

What is a device driver?

 A device driver is software that helps a
peripheral device establish communication with
a computer.
 This type of system software is used by printers,
monitors, graphics cards, sound cards, network
cards, modems, storage devices, mice, and scanners.
 Once installed, a device driver automatically
starts when it is needed.
 Device drivers usually run in the background,
without opening a window on the screen.
 Common Types of Application
 SW
Word Processing Software:
 This software enables users to create and edit documents.
The most popular examples of this type of software are MS-
Word, WordPad and Notepad among other text editors.
 Database Software:
 Database is a structured collection of data. A computer
database relies on database software to organize data and
enable database users to perform database operations.
Database software allows users to store and retrieve data
from databases. Examples are Oracle, MS Access, etc.
 Spreadsheet Software:
 Excel, Lotus 1-2-3 and Apple Numbers are some examples of
spreadsheet software. Spreadsheet software allows users to
perform calculations using spreadsheets. They simulate
paper worksheets by displaying multiple cells that make up a
grid.
 Common Types of Application
 SW
Multimedia Software:
 They allow users to create and play audio and video files.
They are capable of playing media files. Audio converters,
audio players, burners, video encoders and decoders are
some forms of multimedia software. Examples of this type
of software include Real Player and Media Player.
 Presentation Software:
 The software that is used to display information in the form
of a slide show is known as presentation software. This type
of software includes three functions, namely, editing that
allows insertion and formatting of text, methods to include
graphics in the text and a functionality of executing slide
shows. Microsoft PowerPoint is the best example of
presentation software.
 Enterprise Software:
 It deals with the needs of organization processes and data
flow. Customer relationship management or the financial
 Common Types of Application
 SW
Information Worker Software:
 Individual projects within a department and individual needs of
creation and management of information are handled by
information worker software. Documentation tools, resource
management tools and personal management systems fall under
the category of this type of application software.

 Educational Software:
 It has the capabilities of running tests and tracking progress. It also
has the capabilities of collaborative software. It is often used in
teaching and self-learning. Dictionaries like Britannica and Encarta,
mathematical software like Matlab and others like Google Earth
and NASA World Wind are some of the well-known names in this
category.
 Common Types of Application
 SW
Simulation Software:
 Used to simulate physical or abstract systems, simulation software finds
applications in both, research and entertainment.
 Flight simulators and scientific simulators are examples of simulation
software.
 Content Access Software:
 It is used to access content without editing. Common examples of
content access software are web browsers and media players.
 Application Suites:
 An application suite is an important type of application software. It
consists of a group of applications combined to perform related
functions.
 OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office are the best examples of this type
of application software.
 These application suites, as you know, come as bundles of applications
like word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software, etc.
Applications in the suite can work together or operate on each other's
files.
 Common Types of Application
 SW that aid Engineering and Development of
Software
Products:
 These software are used in the design and development of
hardware and software products.
 Integrated development environments (IDE) and computer
language editing tools falls under this type of application software.
 Interestingly, software products are developed using other software,
and software communicate with one another through software.
 Application programming interfaces which aid the communication of
two or more software, are examples of this application software
type.
 Application software are available in different
forms such as.
 Licensed:
 A majority of software applications are licensed and
not sold.
 In this case, a user purchases a software license

and not the software itself.

 The vendor allows for the installation of this

software on a specific number of machines.

 Sometimes, the license is limited to a certain

number of users. Most software licenses allow you

to run the application on only one machine,
although you are allowed to copy the software on
 As Freeware:
 Application software that can be downloaded, used and
copied without any restrictions is known as freeware.
 Generally small programs are released as freeware and
are open for use.
 Sold:
 As opposed to licensed software, these software are
sold to users.
 You need to purchase this type of software from the
vendor in which case, you own a legitimate copy of the
software.
 This allows you to resale the software.
 As Shareware:
 These application software can be downloaded but you
need to pay some amount for using them. Generally, mid-
size software developed by software companies are made
available as shareware.
 Open Source:
 Open source software, as their name suggests, are made
available with their source code.
 The code is open for modification and use.
 People mistake open source software for free. But note
that here, 'free' refers to the freely available source code,
thus making the software open for further development by
users.
 Needs to be Installed:
 This is true with many application software; for example
spreadsheet software, word processors, data
management software, etc. They need to be installed
on your computer hard drive for use.
 Runs Online:
 Antivirus software runs online. Similarly, Internet games
that you can play online and which don't need to be
downloaded fall under this category.

 Simply put, application software are software designed for

specific purposes, or meant for specific applications.
Application software are of great use in completing individual
and organizational tasks, as they have user-friendly features
and are easy and interactive to use.
Upgrading
 Upgrading
 Term used to describe updating a software
program or adding a new hardware.
 With software, an upgrade allows a user to
get the latest version of a software program
at a discounted price and not have to
purchase the full product.
 For example, a user running Microsoft
Windows 95 could purchase the Microsoft
Windows 98 upgrade for a low price when
compared to the full version of Windows 98.

Below are a few reasons and benefits of upgrading your
software products to the latest version.
1. New features not available or found in previous versions.
2. Often, the new version of a program will have better
stability and increased performance.
3. After so long an older software program will be
discontinued and often no longer supported.

Tip:
Upgrading and updating: a software program are two
different things. When upgrading a software program you will
almost always have to purchase the upgrade. However, most
updates are small and usually free programs that can be run
to update the program.
 A hardware upgrade such as a memory upgrade may not
require a user to remove the memory from the computer
because of the availability of additional expansion slots.
 Below is a few reasons and benefits a user should expect
to see when upgrading a hardware device.
 Performance increase.
 The majority of the hardware upgrades performed are
done to increase the performance of the computer.
 Compatibility.
 A user may upgrade one or more components in their
computer to be able to run or use a software program.
Conti…..
 Capacity increase.
 Users may upgrade or add a new device to
increase the overall capacity of the computer.
 For example, adding a new hard drive to allow
the computer to store more information; or
increase the memory to increase the ability of
what programs can be opened and also at the
same time increase the performance.
 A software update
 provides bug fixes and minor software enhancements and is
made available by free download.
 Software updates sometimes include new drivers to support
the latest hardware such as printers, CD drives and DVD
drives.
 A software update is sometimes called a software patch
because it is applied over software that you already have
installed.
 A software update does not provide a full software package
installation.
 A software upgrade
 is a purchase of a newer version of software you currently use
of a more fully-featured version of your current software.
There is usually a cost for a software upgrade, although you
can often upgrade at a reduced price.
Hardware Required
 Identify needs
 An overview of the current situation, problems
encountered and staff/client requests must be
entered into the 'Problem/Request' section of the IT
Request Form.
 Specify requirements
 Requirements should be discussed with the
helpdesk staff. Recommendations for hardware
must be checked against the company's hardware
and software guidelines (see section below), before
being entered into the 'Solutions/Recommendations'
section of the IT Request Form.
Cont…
 Present business case
 The need to purchase new IT hardware may be a result of the following:
 Part of the department's strategic or operational planning
project.
 Necessity to replace broken or outdated hardware.
 Unforeseen changed circumstances.
 In some cases, a business case may need to be prepared to ensure
that all costs, benefits, options and risks associated with the need
are identified.
 Check with your Department Manager to see if this is required. The
detail to which a business case is developed will depend on the cost
of the hardware and the value of the benefits that will be derived.
Approval should be obtained from the Department Manager.
 Obtain approval
 Approval must be obtained from the Department Manager before
proceeding further
 Software Needs definition and requirements
report
 Software needs and requirements must be fully

researched and documented before a manager can

give permission to proceed with a request for new
software.
 An IT Request Form must be completed and

submitted to the Department Manager for approval.

 Once received by the IT Department, an IT officer

will then conduct an interview with the client and

complete the Questionnaire for determining client
software requirements form
Hardware Component that should have to see/fulfill before
upgrading the software
No ITEM MINIMUM RECOMMENDED
2 Processor 350MHz 600MHz
3 Cache 512 KB 256 KB or higher
4 Memory 128 MB 256 MB or higher
5 Hard Disk 6.0 GB 18.0 GB or higher
6 CD-ROM 32X 42X
7 Video Memory 8 MB video EDO 16 MB video EDO
10 CD-ROM 32X 42X
13 Operating System 32/64 bit
 Requirements

 Considered Hardware Required before

upgrading
 CPU Speed
 Hard disk Capacity
 Memory Capacity/RAM Capacity
 Needs definition and requirements report
Self-Check
1. The category of software that is designed for
computer-centric tasks is___________ software
A. Productive Software
B. Application Software
C. System
System software
software
D. All
2. __________Software helps you carry out tasks such as
creating documents, editing graphics, and conducting
mathematical modeling.
A. Printer
B. System software
Application software
C. Application software
D. Utility Software
1. Antivirus software, file shredders, and desktop
widgets are categorized as ____________software.
A. Scanner

B. Application

UtilitySoftware
C. Utility Software
D. Application Software
Cont…..

Thanks
for
Your Attention!!!