All organizations today rely on computer and information technology to conduct business and operate more efficiently. Computer software is needed to operate and protect computer systems and networks. Some 8,200 establishments are engaged primarily in computer software publishing or publishing and reproduction. Software publishing establishments carry out operations necessary for producing and distributing computer software, such as designing, providing documentation, assisting in installation, and providing support services to software purchasers. These establishments may design, develop, and publish, or publish only. Establishments providing access to software for clients from a central host site, designing custom software to meet the needs of specific users, or involved in mass duplication of software are classified elsewhere.
Software publishing establishments that design and publish prepackaged software may develop operating system software as well as word processing and spreadsheet packages, games and graphics packages, data storage software, and Internet-related software tools such as search engines and Web browsers-the software that permits browsing, retrieval, and viewing of content from the Internet. Some establishments may install the software package on a user’s system and provide customer support.
Software is often divided into two main categories-applications software and systems software. Applications software includes individual programs for computer users-such as programs for word processing or for developing and maintaining spreadsheets and databases. Systems software, on the other hand, includes the operating system and all of the related programs that enable the computer to function. The Internet has vastly altered the complexion of the software industry over the last decade. Much applications and system software is developed for use on the Internet and for connections to the Internet.
Organizations are constantly seeking to implement technologies which will improve efficiency. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is such an example. ERP consists of cross-industry applications that automate a firm’s business processes. Common applications include human resources, manufacturing, and financial management software. Examples of more recent applications are software to manage customer relations and a firm’s sources of supply, known as customer relationship management (CRM) and supply-chain management software. Enterprise resource planning software has traditionally been implemented by large organizations with vast computer networks.
Electronic business (e-business) is any process that a business organization conducts over a computer network. Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is that part of e-business that involves the buying and selling of goods and services. With the growth of the Internet and the expansion of e-commerce, there is significant demand for e-commerce software that enables businesses to become as efficient as possible.
This widespread use of the Internet and Intranets also has led to greater focus on the need for computer security. The robust growth of e-commerce increases this concern, as firms seek to attract as many potential customers as possible to their Web sites. Security threats range from damaging computer viruses to online credit card fraud. As a result, organizations and individual computer users are demanding software that secures their computer networks or individual computer environments. Examples of such software are firewalls and antivirus software.
