Microsoft Office Excel is a program with immense potential, which can be used in a variety of settings. However, in the business environment, Excel becomes particularly important (Anderson et al. 23). The program has many useful functions, which can optimize business processes, making them more efficient, and Value is one of them. The primary idea of this function is to extract the numerical value from a text string that represents a number. In order for Value to work, the text is to be in one of the formats supported by Excel, such as time, date, or any constant number. For example, if the function is applied to a cell containing sums ($5000), it will automatically retrieve only the numerical value and paste it into the new cell (5000).
Suppose it is required to calculate the budget for a new project. It is plausible that initial estimations will result in a spreadsheet with currency indicated in each cell. While manual corrections are equally possible, deleting the dollar signs for each entry may be time-consuming in large projects. The Value function will retrieve the required numerical data, which can immediately be used in further budget formulas.
It can also be used for more complex calculations, as Value can work with time formats. If an enterprise uses an automated shift check-in system, the exact time of an employee’s arrival can be recorded in an Excel spreadsheet (column A). The adjacent cell will serve as a reference for the check-in deadline (column B). The following formula will automatically show in column C if an employee was late for work: “=IF(VALUE(A2)>VALUE(B2); “late”; “on time”).” This way, managers can track the tardiness of their workers using Excel’s automated functions.
Work Cited
Anderson, David R et al. Modern Business Statistics with Microsoft Excel. Cengage Learning, 2020.
Microsoft Excel is an electronic spreadsheet program that may be used to store, organize, and manipulate data. The vertical columns may be represented by letters that appear in alphabetical order while horizontal rows can be identified by numbers. Columns that go beyond the number of alphabetical letters can be represented by two or more than two letters, for example, AA or AB (Held, 2007). An intersection occurs between the rows and columns and appears in the shape of a rectangle, known as a cell. Each cell in the spreadsheet may be given a reference or address that helps to identify it since the cells in the spreadsheet are numerous. The cell reference comprises a combination of column letters and row numbers e.g.BB246 (Walkenbach, 2010).
Functions of Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel has a number of functions which include functional aspects. This consists of the cell which can be a text or value which identifies the information in the cell. Examples of types of information found in cells include address, color, contents, file name, which includes the reference, format, parentheses ad prefix. Another function is the error type. Error value occurs in formats such as “NULL”, “REF”, and “NUM!” Etc, which may indicate error type, returns as 1, 2, and 3 accordingly.
Security Function
Another function of the program is the security function which prevents revealing sensitive or confidential information to other people. This can be found in the info-type-text which identifies what information one needs to be returned. NA means that no value could be identified. The function can mainly be used to mark empty cells. This can be done by entering the value in cells with missing information to avoid the inclusion of empty cells in calculations (Koers, 2010).
This can be found in the directory whereby sensitive information can be returned to the path of the current directory or folder, “me avail” that identifies the amount of information stored and available memory in bytes and “num file” which identifies the total number of active worksheets in the workbooks that are open.“IS” can be described as another function of the excel program that describes the nine functions of the worksheet used to test the value or reference (Frye, 2009).
Logical Function
Another major function of the Microsoft excel function is the logical function that incorporates aspects such as “AND” which returns “TRUE” if all its arguments are “TRUE” and “FALSE” if all or one argument is “FALSE”. The word “FALSE” can be typed directly on the worksheet whereby the program identifies it as the logical value of “FALSE” as is the case with other similar values. “IF” function may return a single value if a situation becomes identified and evaluated as TRUE while another gets identified as “FALSE”.
“NOT” reverses the value and can be used when one wants to ensure that value will not be equal to any other value. In this case, “NOT” can be identified as a logical value and can be evaluated to be “TRUE” or “FALSE”. Finally, the “OR” function returns “TRUE” if any argument gets considered to be “TRUE” and “FALSE” if all arguments get identified to be “FALSE” (Harvey, 2007).
Conclusion
Microsoft Excel is a program that gets mainly used for calculations and data entry. It is immensely essential that one acquires relevant knowledge on the basics of the program before settling down to use it. This helps to avoid mistakes and hence feeding or retrieving the wrong information. It also calls for a lot of seriousness and cares to avoid mistakes that could lead to distortion of the required information.
References
Frye, C. (2009). Microsoft Office Excel 2007 Plain & Simple. United States of America: O’Reilly Media, Inc.
Harvey, G. (2007). Excel 2007 All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies. India: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Held, B. (2007). Microsoft Excel Functions & Formulas. United States of America: Wordware Publishing, Inc.
Koers, D. (2010). Excel 2010 Just the Steps For Dummies. India: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Walkenbach, J. (2010). Excel Dashboards and Reports. India: Wiley Publishing, Inc.
Microsoft SharePoint has done a lot in improving the efficiency of businesses. Before its introduction into the business industry, business people wasted a lot of resources hiring people to manage their information. Getting these services cost the businesses a lot of money as they needed to hire many people.
The reason why the businesses hired many people was because no one person could do all the necessary things by himself. However, the introduction of Microsoft SharePoint into the sector is changing the situation. The only things that a business needs to do are pay and specify the service they require. After this, the upgrading process is automatic. On top of this, the services are cheaper than hiring a group of people to do this manually.
Businesses realized the need to work together. They needed to join forces in order to improve the quality of services they give to their consumers. The businesses require a platform where they could share this information. Therefore, Microsoft designed the Microsoft SharePoint.
Microsoft SharePoint is a product of the Microsoft office. It monitors the performance of businesses. It also helps the businesses manage their date, plan and collect data. It collects the views of consumers and other stakeholder’s concerning the finances of the business. After collecting the data Microsoft SharePoint analyses the data, and share the information with the rest of them.
This is a tool they use to share the information that sees to improve their businesses, (Williams, 95). The information they share increases the companies’ productivity. It gives the employees a chance to insights and ideas.
Importance of Microsoft SharePoint to businesses environment
The SharePoint is crucial in the business environment as it helps businesses to increase its efficiency and improve team work. SharePoint makes this possible by providing a site where the businesses stay connected across many regions and boundaries. People access documents and any other information through this site.
The employees get information regarding their work and the current developments. This gives them a chance improves their work, which in turn, translates to high productivity. It helps the business manage information by editing the information they have before they can put it into the site. It also stores the documents for future use (Noel & Spence, 67).
The site is also noteworthy in giving the employees a platform where they work as a team. It promotes team work through out of the box SharePoint feature. The feature enables people to get information concerning their line of work from the information others share on this site. The information shared includes documents and ideas. This helps the businesses meet the quality demanded by the consumers.
SharePoint is also beneficial in delivering the different needs of consumers to the suppliers. This is apparent in cases where consumers are becoming aware of the need to demand better and quality goods and services. This means that the service providers will have to work harder that before to ensure that they meet these changing demands.
The businesses will have to adopt ways of ensuring that they are up to date on their service delivery. The Microsoft SharePoint technology provides the solution to this problem. They provide services that give the consumers a chance to present their views on the services provided by a business. This way the business gets a chance to review their performance and seek for new ways of improving their services, (Leon, Cathey, Wayne pp 234).
The SharePoint enables the business to respond to the dynamic changes in their field. It has features that give the businesses an opportunity to create and design new features that make them competent in their work. It also gives them a chance to improve their infrastructure by giving them the chance to share their resources and manage them online. This is also beneficial as it reduces the business’ costs of operation.
Cases related to Microsoft SharePoint.
Going green is a topic related to Microsoft SharePoint. It is a part of the knowledge management. Knowledge management is the use of the ideas that one has to improve the quality of life.
Its use in the business helps to improve its performance in the industry. By using knowledge management, the business maximizes its resources. The employees use their energy for the benefit of the business. The employees learn techniques that help them manage things like the company records. A business finds ways of doing their work without affecting the environment, (Callahan, 345).
SharePoint is also a part of this project. By using SharePoint, a business reduces the amount of work that it usually puts on paper. This means that it will reduce the amount of paper required in its day to day operations.
This is also crucial in reducing the cost of buying the papers. SharePoint is an important feature when it comes to sharing of information. This is because once it has created a document electronically it does not have to redo it. The business can just scan the information and share it with SharePoint.
Using SharePoint reduces the number of cabinets the business needs to store information. This helps keep the environment green. This is because the company will not be using a lot of timber to make the cabinets. SharePoint is also beneficial in improving the business’ productivity.
The key performance indicators are features that enable people to measure their objectives. It gives a business a chance to view their performance and see if they are on the right track in achieving their objectives. SharePoint is indispensable for this feature as it enables the business to view their performance online.
The site gives the business the chance to evaluate their performance and see what they can do to improve their work. A business may decide to set its objectives on the number of people it wants to reach in a certain period. They put it in the KPIs and see the comments that people make on the site. They can then post the results on the SharePoint in the Microsoft office, (Hillier, pp 145).
Ethical issues
There are many ethical issues in the use of Microsoft SharePoint. The first one is the authenticity of the information shared in the site. This is because some people might share information that is not authentic and end up misleading other people. The other ethical issue is the relationship of the customers and the service providers.
They two have to build a trusting relationship because they cannot meet face to face. However, the site has met the ethical standards of the people. The information on this site is authentic and is confidential, (Williams, 67). It manages the information well and do not let its users down.
The site does not let unauthorized persons gain access to sensitive information. Therefore, people can trust them with information that is highly confidential. The SharePoint is a place where people get to interact and share information. It is likely that some people will abuse each other in the site or share information that is insulting to others. To ensure that this does not happen, SharePoint edits any information before they put it into the resource centre.
The Microsoft is essential in the business world. It helps the businesses manage their information. This is the relation of this topic to the topics studied in class about information management. SharePoint has the features required by their businesses to manage their information. It stores the information for future use.
The feature where people get to share information is also what we study. The importance of teamwork and the benefits it has on the business. The topic explores the different features and importance in the business environment. This relates to the topic where we learn about the importance of an efficient information management system to a business.
Conclusion
Microsoft SharePoint has a lot benefits to a business. This is vital in making the businesses more efficient than when they use manual means to manage their data. It has made the operations in the business simple. The SharePoint edits their documents and stores them. It also helps the business save a lot of money as it reduces the cost of storage equipment.
The site is indispensable for building teamwork. The employees get a chance to share their experiences and ideas on this site. In addition to this, the site is paramount in keeping the environment green. It reduces the paper work in the business sector doing mostly of the operations electronically.
References
Callahan, Alan. Mastering Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010. Paris: John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
Hillier, Scot. Expert’s voice in SharePoint Microsoft SharePoint: building Office 2007 solutions in VB 2005 Apress Series. London: Apress, 2007.
Leon, Wynne., & Cathey, Simeon., & Tynes, Wayne. Microsoft SharePoint Server 2007 Bible. Paris: Wiley, 2007.
According to Kioskea (2008), Microsoft is an operating system that is sold by Microsoft Corp, a Seattle-based multinational company. It was originally named Traf-O-Data and later renamed as Microsoft Corp. Through the means of Microsoft 2000, which is the next version of NT 4, a 32-bit system, fully compatible with FireWire and USB peripherals, I learned to use Windows Desktop Update, Internet Explorer5, Internet connection sharing, make use of windows media player, Web DAV, Outlook Express and Automated System Recovery.
Introduction to Microsoft Office and the Internet
I also learned the usage of Microsoft Office, wherein I learned to master the art of the new form regions and Excel task panes. I also learned to customize Word and PowerPoint through advanced task panes, learned the usage of visual designer enhancement, deployment and re-deployment and complete compatibility with previous generations and other Microsoft editions. When I was introduced to the internet, I learned to use the search bar, the chat, the email facility and the facility to play a video or watch a movie.
I used Microsoft Office for their five basic commands- paste, copy, undo and bold.
Keyboarding- Touch Typing
According to KTouch, keyboard touch typing is a procedure through which you need not use a keyboard for typing. Through the means of Keyboard touch typing, I learned to make use of the computer screen to do the typing and I also improved my speed for now I could use all my fingers while typing. I also never had to look down even once. Over here, I simply had to concentrate on the screen.
E-mail and Blogging
The email tool is important to maintain contact with people living far away. Through the means of email, may it be from Yahoo, Google, or Hotmail; you can simply draft a message and send it to the recipient’s mail id. Through the means of emails, I learned the art of staying in touch with people by simply creating a free email account. Likewise, I also learned the advantage of blogging. A blog is a place wherein you write about a particular subject. As I was fond of health and fitness, I created a blog, through which I wrote articles on health-related topics. Soon the PR rankings of my blog started to increase and I managed to get sizable traffic to my blog. Later, I went ahead and created a website, which I later linked to my blog.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is an Operating System, which was developed by the Microsoft Corporation. Ideally, a Microsoft Word is attached as a component to the MS Office system. Through the means of Microsoft Word, I managed to do a spell check, a grammar check, learn more about the readability statistics, make use of templates, keep a track of changes, learn to highlight a word or a sentence, hide text, auto summarize a document, autocorrect a document and finally auto text as well.
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet, which is electronically programmed to store, organize and manipulate data. When I first looked at an excel screen, I saw a grid of rows and columns. While the horizontal rows are defined by numbers, the vertical columns are defined with alphabets. I also learned that a cell is an intersection point between a row and a column. It is also a place wherein data is stored in a spreadsheet. I also learned to perform basic mathematical calculations, find values for profit and loss, calculate repayment plans for loans and mortgages, find average maximum and minimum values for range-specified data. Likewise, I also used Microsoft Excel for graphing and sorting data for a specified field.
Google Earth
Google earth is a tool through which you can locate and download just about anything in the world. Through the means of Google earth, I learned to make use of Photo Overlays, the usage of 3D terrains, time animations, to play with new layers, use space navigation support, make use of flight simulator, use the sky model, flash support, make use of 3D textures and finally, make ample use of tones of imagery (Mickmel, 2007).
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint was a tool of immense repute. Through the means of this feature, I could make and showcase difficult presentations with utmost ease. I happened to use the 2007 PowerPoint, through which I could make charts, customize slide layouts, allow shadows to drop, enable headings as well as body fonts and add two-dimensional as well as three-dimensional texts.
Microsoft Publisher
The last tool which I learned was Microsoft Publisher. Through the means of the publisher, I was able to adhere to the other office applications, prepare flexible wizards, make use of over 60 coordinated color schemes, auto convert documents in terms of size, layout and publication style, make use of automatic copy fittings to align headings, captions, and text, personalize profiles, make use of the logo creation wizard, use the catalog to browse through 1600 newly designed templates, design sets, use smart objects, run a background spell check, autocorrect, use office assistance, use multilevel undo feature, draw tables, make use of sophisticated designing tools and use the latest office compatibility features with ease.
Computer is no doubt a great invention of science. Since, the computer has equipped the world into various aspects. Side by side, internet has mesmerized the world into its magic all the time. Due to internet, everyone is connected with their family and friends without taking any tension of near and far or distances.
In the past few years, these facilities were like a dream or living on the moon. But it’s all the mind of human beings that made its possible. People are now so much addicted to the world of internet that they want to do every minute work online. They share, explore, take help or every kind of support from internet. The discovery of internet has opened new horizons to the advancements of science.
Introduction
Internet is the basic tool that can be used for a medium of conversation, communication and coordination for any type of business. In any business, customer relationships are the basic entity that helps the business to get into more profitability and productivity. Now a day, internet is utilizing many tools and techniques that help in getting businesses recognized globally and vastly through each and every related channel.
Microsoft Information system is among one of the tools that help in getting the electronic media faster and easily accessible to the customers. There are many examples pertaining B2B and online marketing tools etc. Managers are responsible to plan, implement and execute this relationship between the clients, customers and executives.
Microsoft Information System – An important tool for Electronic Marketing
Call centers are the best example of such processes that are helping the media and people to have an easy accessibility and availability of the products. These all tools are operated by Microsoft Information System. Various softwares work for various businesses. Now a day, promotion of a product and services are done through their particular websites.
In promoting a business, it is not important to gather or display the information in front of the clients but the systematic thing is that how you display it? The successful manager is the one that makes it most eye-catching in front of the clients. This is how competition among rivals is done.
Description of MIS
MIS is an important tool for gathering analyzing and implementing data process. It is the most effective way of organizing the electronic data of a business most efficiently. Various softwares and electronic tools and techniques are used as analytical studies and these data are organized.
In this paper, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT Analysis) will be carried out to locate that how Microsoft Information System is working for the organizations and in which department it is utilizing its magic to change the tons of manual file work into small bytes of electronic files to be saved in a single disk.
Strengths of Microsoft Information System
Microsoft Information System has captured this universe into its harmonized effectiveness. There are many benefits and advantages of Microsoft Information System that cannot be denied in any case. It is a long term beneficial process that can lead a business to be significant and distinctive among other businesses. MIS was prescribed for the managers to work in an organized and effective manner in the field of human resource management by keeping all the record, salaries and other appraisal systems for the employees.
Enhancing Effective Communication among Organizations
Effective communication has long been endorsed as a primary influence in the fulfillment of extraordinary heights of organizational effectiveness. There is a parallel relationship between organizational effectiveness and organizational communication. Organizational communication contains countless message sending and receiving occurrences touching official communal units in which individuals work toward common goals.
This has all been possible due to electronic media and Microsoft information system. It is rare to discover an organization that challenges to accomplish all stages of communication as a handy activity. building professional communication skills is important for effective leadership. The person must be willing to share knowledge and concepts to transfer a sense of emergency and enthusiasm to other team people. If a person has no ability to tranfser or convey the message properly, then holding a knowledge has no value.
Tools and Techniques used by MIS
Enterprising, marketing, sales and promotion, Keeping of accounting record, purchases, inventory stock record, project management techniques like pert analysis, CPM and other factors. Similarly, scientists and researchers are so much facilitated by Microsoft information system.
On a single click, it can generate the data of 10, 00 years back. This is really remarkable. This is the reason why researches have been now simplified and modified as according to the setup of Microsoft information system. The validity and reliability of the data is also analyzed by a variety of tools and techniques feeded in the system just to enhance total quality management and other related knowledge.
In the past times, people used to do all the work by manual workings inside the files. The files get ruptured, torn or wet under floods or any other disaster. Many of the records were burnt intentionally just to get rid of the old stuff. Things were so hard to manage then. But now researchers have established such a smart technique that undergoes in a smart way and analyze the data within friction of seconds.
Affectivity of MIS
Since it is so easy to gather the knowledge and data but the main thing is to utilize it in the most effective manner. The war of business is about the efficiency and effectively implemented things that are making the world to grow faster globally. IPods, I pads, laptops have made lives more easier now for day to day purposes. Even online trainings and educations are now implemented through online Microsoft information system.
Weaknesses of Microsoft Information System
As far as weaknesses of Microsoft information system is concerned, there are many faults in a machinery system. Human errors and biases are not properly dealt in some cases. Computers can stuck at the time of emergency, when the data is needed more quickly, There may be some disadvantages of such systems.
Manual Faults
There can be many manual faults in the system. Eg, the system is under the supervision of human beings and electricity and the software systems that are stored inside. They many contain many errors and can be implemented automatically in the generated reports.
Manual work can easily be removed or changed but it is a bit hard to fix the errors of electronic systems. An expert of specialist is required to deal with it. This is the reason companies keep their password protected lock systems for their official computers and all the records that are the resources of the company.
Internet and Computer Frauds
It can be enhanced by computer frauds or computer crimes. Computers are marked as identity for the brains of human beings. There is no doubt about the efficiency of this invention. As far as advantages of this small machine are concerned, everyone knows, that are countless but now a days, some terror-minded persons have misused it, which is illegal, unethical and unlawful practices faced by the whole world.
Three important and effective computer crimes are-1)-Hacking 2)-Virus 3)-Fraud. Among three of them, hacking is the more difficult to define because it is a damage to others’ accounts, software’s – a simple case of cheat with other person whereas virus trial and frauds have become part of the technological world.
Where a computer scientist is innovating an antivirus strategy before the discovery for new virus and its launch in the victim’s computer. Fraud leads to a variety of meanings. It may refer to as to cheat or mistrust someone on computer by providing wrong information about oneself or by damaging one mentally or via other computer tools.
Computer Crime – A serious threat to MIS
There are a number of other computer crimes that are ruining the lives of youngsters day by day. Our youth is totally under its control like under an octopus. Internet, software’s and other computer applications offer a complete package towards illegal issues (Parker & Donn, 2002). According to a survey in USA, computer crimes are on peak in the age of modern era.
Every time it is not easy to handle because it may create harm to a person or his whole family by asking for money or information. Sometimes, a person may lose whole data from his/her computer. Although many policies are regulated for the control of such crimes but to catch the culprit in a huge and magical world of internet explorer is truly impossible. Similarly, some other computer crimes like cyber crime; child pornography is raising high and high, which may lead to the future of our youth towards destruction.
Moreover, these amplifying crime rates are hitting the companies, banks and software companies especially Microsoft information system at the worst risk because the hackers try to take their all confidential data, future plans, quotations for tenders and many useful resources that are the basic asset of an organization, which is a total loss for the companies and unbearable too. T
here should be some important control on the internet to close such activities otherwise the peace of world can be at high risk due to such pathetic computer crimes and criminal behavior of people.
Microsoft Information System and Electronic Marketing
The topic chosen is electronic marketing that is also implemented by the Microsoft Information system. Due to the combination of Microsoft information system via electronic marketing, clients are customers are most convergent towards, shopping from eBay and the online websites similar to this. Customers find it easier, comfortable, accessible, available and they have a lot more choices to select. They can shop at home. This electronic marketing phenomenon comes under Microsoft information system.
Global Changes
Now day’s organizations are hiring software experts to develop softwares of marketing. Many of the new ways and techniques have been established to market their products with a high chance of reliability and validity. Customer satisfaction is increasing day by day just because of such techniques.
Customers prefer to buy the products like this. Microsoft information system is helping to maintain such marketing softwares, their daily changes, changing rates according to foreign exchange rate, ensuring the delivery processes at proper time. The strongest skill considered in channelizing the marketing staff at one point, when the organization is a multinational company having several branches throughout the world.
Efficient HR practices
Electronic marketing via Microsoft information system provides the managers the ability to train and encourage people that naturally bring motivation in them and improves the confidence level of a team member that after training, he can recover his disabilities and can work more enthusiastically.
This skill is the base for every other skill because the way a leader treats his team member is possibly the deciding factor whether the team is going to hit the bang of the project in the end or not. It is only possible due to Microsoft information system. That helps storing record of the staff in an organized way, their achievements, their bonuses, commissions everything without any error possibly.
It also brings a sense of motivation among the employees and they work more effectively and efficiently as they have a harmony among the team members. And they have psychological impression that their skills are recorded. In training development, hiring and firing, performance appraisal, promotions, delivery and distributions of products and services, change management, and knowledge management, all over the world this system is being used in the most effective manner.
MIS effecting Organisational Behavior
Organizational behavior is an educational authority that is said to be connected to describe, understand, predict, and calculating human behavior in any organizational environment. Behavior refers to the way a person or any system interact, communicate or coordinate with other individuals or groups.
It is an important tool to decide the future performance and career of an organization or a person in general terms. In specific terms, organization behavior is an important tool that describes the correspondence of intra and inter-organizational activities. It is the basic key factor that indicates how an organization is treating its employees with respect to their demographics, pay scale, power equity etc.
Different theories related to organizational behavior shows that such implementation of theories and motivational factors are the major catalysts that influenced the inequality of power and pay scales settlements to be unequal among various sectors of work in all over the world. Hence, it is highly competitive area for business to compete and eliminate this problem and its roots too ensure the equality of rights among the employees.
In the era of high competition between the companies, it has been very essential for the organizations in order to survive to hire best talent, train them and retain them by satisfying them with complete justice. In the organizations, behavior of the whole environment is emerging as an important factor for negative employer and employee relationship. Microsoft Information system is effecting the organization behavior of the firms in both positive and negative outcomes.
It is basically, connected with a group or chunk of people working to achieve the same goal. It is affected by the activities as if how workers in a work place intend to interact with each other with their top management and low management, how the organization works with clients and management. Since, organizational behavior is marked as an important catalyst to raise or decline company’s productivity. It is an intangible asset to any organization.
Advantages to organizers/Managers
Computer and information structures managers straight the work of other IT specialists, such as computer software engineers and computer programmers, computer systems analysts, and computer support specialists . They design and match activities such as fixing and progress hardware and software, software design and systems design, the application of computer networks, and the growth of Internet and intranet sites (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010).
They are progressively complicated with the maintenance, conservation, and safety of systems. They examine the processor and info needs of their administrations from an working and strategic perspective and determine instant and long-range workers and equipment supplies.
Computer and information systems managers can have supplementary duties, depending on their part within an institute. Top management, for instance, appraises the up-to-the-minute and most inventive technologies and defines how these can support their administrations (IIS Express Overview, 2011).
They grow practical values, deploy technology, and oversee workers who contract with the everyday material technology matters of the secure. When a strong new tool has been in place, the management head follows one or more possible deployment policies, with cost-benefit and return on asset analyses, and offer those policies to management heads.
Future Prospects for Informational Technology
The international economy has taken on additional issue in Information technology circles in the past few years, according to the demands of international companies and meeting the competitive edge of organizations among their rivals and competitors. Researchers are now a day working on organizations biasness, feverish behaviors among and outside their organizations workers.
They are finding the trends that contradict at international level and prove to be hindrance against their correspondence with other foreign organizations for business. The difference between their cultures, norms, beliefs, values, religions, these are all the things that count for creating a harmonized way of attitude within organizations. In simple words, it is producing differences between human relationships in work and families due to high level of employee engagement (Overview of Internet Information Services 5.0, 2011).
End Notes
Today, Information technology developers and researchers are playing with a huge variety of issues hiting the business world. For instance, Researchers are interested to critically review the notion that Microsoft Information Technology and the growing crimes and no. of frauds in an organization on one hand and errors and data leakage on the other are hitting the economy badly at international level. They are trying to alleviate these problems at a large scale.
My personal Opinion
As far as my personal opinion is concerned, The efficiency and effective way of each and every department of an organization is connected with the tools and techniques used in the information technology sector. No one can deny this perspective that we became the slave of technology now (Overview of Internet Information Services 5.0, 2011). Old people are not obsessed with this craze but youth is so much fond of IT and other related stuff. They cannot pass single day without these facilities and organized data in their perspective offices.
The simple work from writing to the most complex work like software developing is all done in organizations through Microsoft information systems. In hospitals, the data and patients records are also analyzed by Microsoft information system. So, every technology and system has its own advantages and disadvantages. It depends upon the individual’s effort that whether it is being used by the people in a destructive way or constructive way (IIS Express Overview, 2011).
The management information system inspected and a number of linked topics, including control thoughts, application change and EDP examining are communicated. General importance is on the organization and custom of IS incomes and on the properties of computer-based information methods on the development and control meanings of management are explained in this paper to clear the view that how businesses at international level are connected to each other with the help of information technology.
It also travels subjects connected to the custom of information systems in gradually digitalized thrifts by investigative state-of-the-art growths in the Information Technology (IT) field and deliberating skill requests used in handling modern organizations.
The sequence is founded on the evidence that information about information systems is vital for creating positive, modest firms, for managing global businesses, for adding business price, and for providing useful foodstuffs and services to customers. Even it is also being assumed that after ten years, the literacy rate criteria will depend upon how many people in a nation are familiar to information technology, softwares, and hardware and computer systems.
The jobs will be offered to those who have professional knowledge about these technologies. Alternatively, the motive of all of us should be to bring the peace, harmony and welfare to the humanity and world. The countries that are not developed well must be provided educational aid by the developed countries to get at the same level for competition. After the manual product manufacturing, electronic manufacturing is also being implemented by the latest advancements to work more efficiently at global level.
Microsoft Excel is part of the Microsoft Office software that allows users to operate numerical data entered in spreadsheets. The interface of this program includes a table with a large number of cells for data entry and ribbon tabs that give access to various functions. An Excel file is usually called a workbook that may consist of many pages, worksheets. By means of Excel, individuals can convert digits into useful information that may be applied for many personal and professional needs. Apart from simple calculations, Excel is capable of performing functions and formulas, as well as creating user macros with the help of VBA. These capabilities, as well as Excel’s distinctions from Google Sheets, will be reviewed further.
Brief History
Since its invention, Excel has undergone multiple changes in terms of the variety of functions, performance, and capacity. The history of Excel began in 1985 when Microsoft created the first version of Excel available only on the Apple Macintosh (James, 2016). It was the first spreadsheet that had a visual interface and could be manipulated with a mouse (James, 2016). In 1987, the first Excel version for Windows was launched, which allowed users to change fonts and provided extended features for drawing graphs (James, 2016). Three years later, Excel 3 emerged, and its new features were drawing, 3D charts, outlining, and toolbars (James, 2016).
Excel 4, introduced in 1992, had the AutoFill feature, as well as a larger number of functions and shortcuts (James, 2016). The next year, Excel 5 was released, which supported several worksheets and included VBA that allowed users to create macros (James, 2016). Excel 7 followed the fifth version and became part of the Microsoft Office applications for Windows 95 (James, 2016). It was rewritten to 32-bits, which increased its speed and stability (James, 2016). However, the appearance of the program did not undergo any changes.
Beginning with Excel 7, the following versions were integrated into Windows OS. Excel 8, released in 1997, included the paperclip assistant and improved VBA environment (James, 2016). Excel 2000 and 2003 introduced minor upgrades, such as data import from other applications (James, 2016). In 2007, Excel moved to the Ribbon interface, and its capacity increased to approximately 16,000 columns and 1 million rows (James, 2016). In Excel 2010, pivot tables and the Ribbon interface were improved (James, 2016). Excel 2013 introduced some new functions that allowed users to build complicated data models (James, 2016).
In 2016, the new version of the program obtained the Forecast Sheet function and the ability to present data on a 3D map (Gralla, 2019). The latest upgrade that took place in 2019 introduced sich new features as funnel charts, map charts, several new functions for performing calculations, and new keyboard shortcuts (Gralla, 2019). Thus, since its first release, Excel has developed from a relatively simple spreadsheet tool to complex software with multiple useful features.
What Excel is Used for
Numerical data has a lot of applications in many fields, and Excel provides convenient tools for processing and presenting these data. The most obvious and simple use of this program is for calculations. Excel allows for obtaining computational results of complex equations, create different models and see how they work with diverse inputs (The Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College [SERC], 2018).
This program is also used for a graphical presentation of data and analytical models by means of graphs, charts, diagrams and histograms (SERC, 2018). Excel is a useful tool for statistics because it provides such features as “mean, standard deviation, error bars on graphs, linear and polynomial fits, multivariate analysis, etc.” (SERC, 2018, para. 7). Hence, this software is much more than a table with a complex built-in calculator.
Excel has found its implementation in a business where there is a great need for various computations and planning. For example, this program is a perfect instrument for organizing and storing customer databases that later can be used for marketing campaigns (CLIMB Professional Development and Training [CLIMB], 2017). Furthermore, people may use Excel to plan events or other working processes by entering tasks to be done and persons responsible for their execution into a table (CLIMB, 2017). This software is also a powerful tool for managing a budget due to a number of useful functions that automate calculations, thus saving time and reducing the possibility of mistakes (CLIMB, 2017). The scope of application of Excel is so broad that it makes it an indispensable instrument in many fields.
What a Spreadsheet is
Excel is only one of the spreadsheet programs, which evolved faster than its competitors and managed to take the largest share of the spreadsheet software market. Generally, a spreadsheet is a number of cells that are organized in rows and columns and contain text, numeric values, or formulas (The Data Labs, 2019). With the invention of computers, spreadsheets have replaced paper worksheets (The Data Labs, 2019).
These grids can are traced back to 1971 when Pardo and Landau patented an algorithm that presented a new way of processing data (The Data Labs, 2019). Supposedly, the first spreadsheet was VisiCalc, a program that contributed to the success and proliferation of the Apple II computer (The Data Labs, 2019). Before Microsoft developed its product, the leading spreadsheet program was Lotus 1-2-3 (The Data Labs, 2019). Then, the world saw MS Excel that gained popularity and made Microsoft the major supplier of the spreadsheet software.
Data Types, Formulas, and Functions
As was already mentioned, the Excel spreadsheet consists of cells that are meant for data input. There are four major data types that a cell can hold: text, date, number, and boolean (French, 2019). Alphabetic letters and strings are assigned the text type; they cannot be used in calculations but can be formatted, that is, their font size and style, color, and cell borders can be changed (French, 2019). The boolean type is “a result of a logical comparison, such as TRUE or FALSE” (French, 2019, para. 8). Apart from that, a cell can hold a formula, but the user will see the result of a calculation in its place (French, 2019).
Finally, if there is an incorrect formula or data in a cell, it will obtain an error value (French, 2019). In Excel 2019, new data types were introduced: stocks and geography, which show information about stock markets and countries, respectively (Microsoft, 2019). They are connected with an online source of data and, therefore, are called linked data types (Microsoft, 2019). Data types define how Excel displays and manages the information in the cells.
Excel performs calculations by means of different formulas and functions. A formula is a feature that allows for using Excel as a calculator, that is, for dividing, multiplying, subtracting, and adding numbers (Goodwill Community Foundation [GCF], 2016b). Generally, a formula can be defined as a set of instructions that a user types into a cell. At the beginning of any formula, there should be an equal sign followed by cell addresses and necessary mathematical operators (GCF, 2016b). The mechanism of cell references, meaning that the user types cell addresses instead of values into a formula, allows for changing the cell content without the need for altering the formula (GCF, 2016b). This feature helps people to automate repeated computing operations, thus saving time and increasing productivity.
Developers of Excel have made calculations even more convenient for users by introducing functions. A function refers to a built-in formula that is used for more complex computations (GCF, 2016a). Each function has its function name, for example, SUM or AVERAGE (GCF, 2016a). To apply this feature, the user should enter an equal sign, the function name, and one or several arguments in round brackets (GCF, 2016a). Arguments are either single cells or a set of cells, and if there are several of them, they are delimited by a comma (GCF, 2016a). For instance, if one wants to add the values of cells A1, A2, A3, and E1, one should type =SUM(A1:A3, E1) (GCF, 2016a). This will result in the sum of the numbers typed in the selected cells.
The Software and Features
MS Excel software is available on Windows OS and Mac OS. Apart from that, there are applications for Android and iOS. Despite the availability on the most popular operating platforms, the program functionality is not the same on each of them. For example, the navigation is different, which makes it challenging to switch among operating systems (Ali and Fitzpatrick, 2019). Furthermore, Excel on Mac lacks a number of significant features, such as flash fill, table slicers, timeline filter, pivot tables, power pivot, a complete VBA editor, etc. (Ali and Fitzpatrick, 2019). Thus, the entire spectrum of Excel features is available only on Windows OS.
The already broad functionality of Excel can be expanded with the help of add-ins. These programs add specific features related to data analysis, business, investment, productivity, and other fields (Ozgur et al., 2017). For example, popular add-ins for data analysis include MegaStat, Solver, and Analysis Toolpak (Ozgur et al., 2017). MegaStat adds to Excel such statistical features as frequency distribution, hypothesis tests, probability, and the ability to generate random numbers (Ozgur et al., 2017). Add-ins are a convenient way of making Excel more functional if there is a need for some more professional features.
An Example of Using VLOOKUP Function
Nevertheless, Excel is a powerful tool, even without any additional programs. One of its most useful features is the VLOOKUP function that allows users to search for particular data within a spreadsheet (GCF, 2019). The name of the function stands for “vertical lookup” because the function performs a top-down search (GCF, 2019, para. 18). Its syntax consists of an equal sign, VLOOKUP, and four arguments in parentheses: the name of the item, the cell range that stores the data, the column index, and the type of matches (GCF, 2019). The function always searches the first column in the specified range and retrieves information from the column that is to the right of it (GCF, 2019).
To identify the column index, it is necessary to remember that the left-most column in the specified range is considered the first (GCF, 2019). The fourth argument can have a value of either TRUE or FALSE (GCF, 2019). If the value is FALSE, the function will search for exact matches; otherwise, it will try to find approximate matches (GCF, 2019). This function is important for managing spreadsheets with a large number of data.
An example of applying the VLOOKUP function will help to understand its operating principle better. Supposing there is a pricelist consisting of many rows and three columns. Column A includes items; column B holds prices, and column C has categories. Assuming one wants to find the price of a greeting card that is somewhere on the list. At this rate, the function will be as follows: =VLOOKUP(“Greeting card”, A2:B16, 2, FALSE) (GCF, 2019).
The function will try to find the item with the exact name “Greeting card” in column A. If there is such an item, it will show the value stored in the second column to the right of the sought-for item. To avoid editing the formula for each particular item, one can use a cell reference (GCF, 2019). In the example above, the name “Greeting card” could be entered in a cell E2, and the formula would look like this: =VLOOKUP(E2, A2:B16, 2, FALSE) (GCF, 2019). Although using VLOOKUP function is easy, it significantly facilitates the work with large Excel spreadsheets.
Macro Programming
Excel has one more powerful feature that is called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). It is a programming language used for writing macros, that is, individual software solutions for repeated tasks (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). There are two ways of making macros in MS Excel. The first method is the use of the macro recorder, a tool that records each user action done with a mouse or a keyboard (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). It is helpful for simple routine tasks without loops and complicated branches in commands (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). The second method is VBA programming in the development environment (Häcker and Ernst, 2017).
It is opened “with the key combination Alt+F11,” after which the user can enter commands for creating macros (Häcker and Ernst, 2017, p. 251). This way is more difficult because it requires some programming skills; yet, it allows for more complex macros able to solve challenging problems (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). Once a macro is created, it can be run with a few clicks or a keystroke if the user added a shortcut key to it.
The use of macro programming makes work in Excel even more convenient. The major benefit of VBA is that it saves much time necessary for executing repetitive tasks (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). Once made, a macro can be used many times, thus reducing the possibility of mistakes and allowing for identical task solutions and result presentations (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). Furthermore, ready-made macros let less experienced users perform difficult operations (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). Another benefit is that the possibility of creating individual solutions eliminates the need for additional software (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). Eventually, VBA is not a very complicated programming language, so it is quite easy to master (Häcker and Ernst, 2017). Thus, macros make Excel a more personalized and timesaving program.
Pivot Tables
One more Excel feature that is worth discussing is pivot tables. A pivot table is an instrument that summarizes large databases and presents data in a way that is comfortable for analysis and comparison (Hai-Jew, 2019). To make a pivot table, it is necessary to select datasets of the initial database, which may be of concern (Hai-Jew, 2019). After choosing the needed rows or columns, the program will draw a report, the main feature of which is interactivity (Hai-Jew, 2019). It means that users can apply filters to explore data, compare different datasets, or make graphs, charts, or histograms based on pivot tables (Hai-Jew, 2019). This feature is a helpful statistics tool that facilitates the analysis of spreadsheets with up to a million rows.
Differences between MS Excel and Google Sheets
Although MS Excel is a leader in the field of spreadsheet applications, in 2006, Google Sheets emerged and became its main rival. This section will review the major differences between the two programs. The first distinction is the cost; while Google Sheets is free, the price of Excel is $6.99 per month as part of the MS Office suite or $129.99 as a separate program (VanSomeren, 2018). Secondly, Google Sheets always saves changes automatically, while Excel has the AutoSave function only for files stored on MS OneDrive, a cloud storage program (VanSomeren, 2018). Thirdly, there is a big difference in the capacity of these two applications.
Google Sheets can store data in 5 million cells at most, but the greatest number of cells in Excel is 17,179,869,184 (VanSomeren, 2018). Furthermore, if Google Sheets has to handle a large database, its processing speed will be quite low, which cannot be said for Excel (VanSomeren, 2018). For this reason, Microsoft’s program is preferable in cases when a lot of data should be processed.
There are also differences in customization and ease of use. In Excel, users can place the most frequently used features on the toolbar to get quick access to them (VanSomeren, 2018). They also may create their own key shortcuts, as in the case with macros. In Google Sheets, users have to content themselves with the basic interface and shortcuts that cannot be changed (VanSomeren, 2018).
As for the ease of use, Google Sheets is considered a more user-friendly program due to a simpler interface, while it usually takes time and effort to learn Excel (VanSomeren, 2018). Despite all the differences, these applications have many things in common. Both of them provide the possibility for collaborative work and keep user data secure (VanSomeren, 2018). Such features as macros, charts, pivot tables, and useful functions for budgeting are available in both programs (VanSomeren, 2018). Overall, Google Sheets seems to be perfect for personal financial planning, while Excel is suitable for large-scale projects.
Conclusion
To sum up, Excel, spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft, is a helpful tool that can be of value to anybody working with statistics, budgeting, data analysis, computations, and event planning. It is quite challenging to master, but, once it is learned, it provides the user with numerous capabilities. Such features as charts and pivot tables enable users to analyze and graphically present large datasets. Multiple built-in functions, as well as VBA programming and macros, save much time and help to avoid errors. Moreover, if one lacks some narrowly-specializes features, one can find various add-ins to expand the functionality of the program.
Reference List
Ali, S. I. and Fitzpatrick, B. D. (2019) ‘Teaching Excel to undergraduate students: do the platform constraints of Windows versus Mac make a difference?’, Journal of Education for Business, 94(7), pp. 1-3.
Ozgur, C. et al. (2017) ‘Selection of statistical software for data scientists and teachers’, Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods, 16(1), pp. 753-774.
The Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College (2018) Why use Excel. Web.
In APA style, figures are all kinds of visual displays except tables. They traditionally include charts, line and bar graphs, maps, drawings, plots, infographics, photographs, and other illustrations (“Figure setup,” 2019). The basic components of an APA-style figure are its number, title, image, legend, and note (“Figure setup,” 2019). In general, the purpose of figures and tables is to present sufficient information in an understandable way. Regardless of the fact that figures do not exist without the text, readers should clearly understand them even without reading the text. In APA-style works, figures are traditionally created with the help of word-processing programs’ built-in graphics features (Excel or Microsoft Word) or dedicated programs (Inkscape or Photoshop). Both for figures and tables, there are two basic options for their placement – they may be mentioned and subsequently embedded in the text or placed after references on a separate page.
The creation and placement of tables in APA-style papers have rules similar to figures. In general, they are used when large amounts of data are presented in the text making it difficult to understand – thus, a few numbers do not require tabular form. As previously mentioned, tables should be understandable without reading the whole. All tables are identified by numbers and have titles that reflect their content. Tables may be placed inside the text or after the reference list.
In the case of research dedicated to the evaluation of the STEADI algorithm’s implementation for the prevention of falls among senior patients, tables may be used to present the study’s results in a clear and comprehensive format. The table will include various age categories and the number of falls before and after the implementation of the algorithm to trace the difference. Thus, the table may be the following:
Table 1. Comparison of the numbers of falls before and after the implementation of the STEADI algorithm for different age categories
The efficiency of information systems is a key factor in the achievement of organization’s goals and objectives. Currently, the information system in the sales department is inefficient and in great need of improvement. As we speak, the organization is utilizing Microsoft Excel to manage its data. Microsoft Excel only supports flat databases. A migration to a relational database is proposed. This paper is a proposal highlighting the process of implementing the new information system.
Essentially speaking, the proposed new system surpasses the existing system in many ways. The new system ensures the following: security, data security, multi-user collaboration, data storage, and data analysis. The provision of the above-stated functions shall go a long way in ensuring the data integrity of the organization and improve the system’s performance. Holistically, this is a step in the right direction of achieving efficiency in the organization. We shall also propose the significance of collaborative software to improve communication within the organization and help streamline the sales department business process.
The new information system
Microsoft Access is a database application that supports relational databases, contrary to Microsoft Excel, that can only hold flat databases. The difference between relational and flat databases is that flat database can only organize data in a single table while relational database can support data in multiples tables. This means that relational databases have a bigger capacity to hold data.
The ability to access different data sources is a primarily consideration of the new system. Microsoft Access has the ability to connect to data from several external data sources. This system comes with inbuilt features for connecting to existing data, this features include dBase, Microsoft SQL Server, and Microsoft Outlook Folder. According to Grauer, et al. (2011), after accessing the data, it becomes easier to do the necessary manipulation such as to edit, view and edit.
Data integrity is the other factor to be considered. Data integrity can briefly be defined as the ability to maintain the correctness of data. Microsoft Access has a facility called Unique Identifiers. This facility basically is used to ensure that no two similar data can be entered in the same record. It has a constraint feature.
Microsoft Access provides excellent data analysis capabilities. These include querying, modeling and pivoting and charting. Querying is enabled using Structured Query Language (SQL) that performs queries to retrieve rows and columns as requested by the user. Modeling is done by ‘what-if-analysis’ functions to predict the expected outcome of a model. According to Grauer, et al. (2011), charting and pivoting are critical tools for preparation of graphs and other data presentation forms.
Lastly, security is a fundamental factor of the new information system. Data security is the process of preventing unauthorized access of data and protection against data loss. Microsoft access, through encryption and password, provides the following security features: data loss protection, data protection at user-level and file-level, and restricting access to data. This means that the organization data are safely safeguarded.
Collaborative software
The newest and most efficient collaborative software is Microsoft Lync. Implementation of Microsoft Lync will help the organization save on its data bandwidth consumption and also, save on telephone call bills. This is because most of these services can be provided on one platform, thanks to Microsoft Lync. Microsoft Lync provides the following services: instant messaging, chatting, resources sharing, remote access of other computers, sharing of desktop, and teleconferencing. Using this collaborative software, sales department shall streamline operations and at the same time improve communications.
Reference
Grauer, R. T., Poatsy, M. A., Mulbery, K., Hulett, M., Krebs, C., & Mast, K., (2011). Microsoft® Office 2010: Volume 1. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
The major challenges Microsoft encountered in developing MS Office
Office 4.0
The development plan appeared simple, but there were several challenges. Major challenges were associated with delays, for instance, Word 6.0 was shipped six months late while Excel 5.0 was shipped three months late. Office 4.0 was launched with old versions of Excel and PowerPoint. The customer expressed dissatisfaction with the released product. Further, Office 4.2 was buggy and unstable. Overall, Office 4.0 did not meet its set targets.
Office 95
The product had a relatively shorter period for development to meet the new 32-bit architecture requirements and ensure compatibility with Intel’s latest microprocessor.
Office 97
There was tension between the OPU and the application teams because they could not share codes willingly or optimally. Different elements of Office seemed to have diverse visions without relation to each other. The code was given low priority in the integration unit.
Office 2000
Microsoft had learned from previous mistakes and decided to integrate different units. Thus, there were few notable challenges from management, development, and test. The product development process was extensive with wide consultation, but it shipped eight months late. It was difficult to produce a single stable product because of bugs.
The major strategies Microsoft introduced in addressing the challenges for the products
Office 4.0
The product failed to achieve its set targets and Microsoft embarked on the release of updates or maintenance versions to address the challenges (third one – Office 4.2c was successful).
Office 95
To meet the deadline, Microsoft focused on redesigning the product to perform well with the new version of Windows with Intel’s latest microprocessor.
Office 97
The teams shared codes unwillingly. Microsoft conducted a post-release analysis to improve its future processes.
Office 2000
The teams were integrated, there were inputs from industry professionals and wide consultations were conducted on market issues, organizational factors, and setting a clear vision and designing the process were all considered.
The pros and cons of checking codes with the main server every day in the development of Office 2000
Pros
Checking codes allowed developers to receive feedback on product features. Moreover, they provided rules for developers on what they could handle without code base checking-in.
Cons
Feedback from the release team took nearly five days, leading to delays and tracing of problems because of the dynamics of software development. Nearly 400 people had to use a single checking-in site.
Checking-in codes strategy was an effective strategy. Although the process was associated with delays, it allowed developers to identify bugs and improve upon them. This strategy contributed to the success of the Office 2000.
The most powerful role at the Microsoft Office 2000 project
Developers
The developers had less power relative to testers. They wrote codes and passed to testers for extensive, complex verification procedures.
Testers
This group performed complex analyses on codes from developers. Testers’ roles gave them more power than did developers.
However, the number of developers and coders was always the same.
Program Managers
They had greater responsibilities of integrating and coordinating activities of all individuals involved in the project than developers and testers. They also developed vision and product specifications. Managers shared their leads with other teams.
The differences between unplanned iterations and reworks
Unplanned iterations result from unplanned feedback loops due to unanticipated issues. They result from errors and unpredictable challenges. For instance, Office 2000 met conflicting messages because it was not exciting for end-users and focused much on system administrators. These issues were difficult to predict.
Conversely, rework is a possibly preventable work that results from correcting errors or fine-tuning a product during development. For instance, Office 2000 had to be reworked to get into a stable form because of bugs detected during testing stages or the team had to redesign Office 95 to work well with the new version of Windows
It is important to note that a design of a menu interface is critical in ensuring an intuitive and satisfactory user experience. I use them to study, learn, write, and read, which is why their menu design is vital. The given assessment will primarily evaluate, assess, and provide recommendations for Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Word. Both adhere to the guidelines for the most part, but the latter has a more user-friendly interface.
The two PC-based pieces of software of interest fully follow the menu design guidelines in regards to the wording. The titles are meaningful and unambiguous since they clearly specify the operations, and the words additionally use lowercase and uppercase letters (Valacich & George, 2020). Microsoft Word’s organization is properly grouped and consistent, but Adobe Acrobat Reader would benefit from a better grouping of its options. Microsoft Word’s menu number sometimes can exceed the width of the screen, which can occur when it is not used in a full-page format, and Adobe Acrobat Reader could use more submenus for the ‘Edit’ section. The selection and entry methods are highly sophisticated, but both applications suffer from a lack of clarity in regard to option consequences. The selected pieces of software do not use highlighting in any form.
In conclusion, both Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Word have minor menu design issues, but they are more apparent for the former. In order to improve the interface design, Microsoft Word should focus on its menu factors, such as length, selection, and highlighting. A similar observation can be made for Adobe Acrobat Reader in addition to the organization. However, it should be noted that both PC-based software instruments fully comply with wording guidelines for menu design.
Reference
Valacich, J., & George, J. (2020). Modern systems analysis & design (9th ed.). Pearson.