Report: Computer Skills, Software, and Business Productivity Analysis

This report analyzes the impact of computer skills and software on business productivity, focusing on the benefits of introducing technological advancements within an organization. It begins with an introduction outlining the report's purpose and the advantages of IT in enhancing business efficiency, including cloud services for data management. The analysis includes findings from a cost analysis task, highlighting the costs of software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and the application of the IF function. The report then details features of office productivity software, such as charts, graphs, and functions, and how they increase productivity and improve management quality. It also explores technological advancements, including code management, XML, IDEs, and version control. The conclusion summarizes the main points, emphasizing the importance of information technology in increasing profits, and references relevant books and online resources.

Introduction to Computer Skills

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Covered in excel sheet................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction and purpose of the report....................................................................................1
ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION.................................................................................................1
2. Findings from Task 1..............................................................................................................1
3. Features of office productivity software for increasing productivity and quality of
management................................................................................................................................3
4. Technological advances in terms of software and hardware to increase business
productivity.................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
5. Conclusion with summarised main points and importance of information technology in
increasing profits.........................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

TASK 1
Covered in excel sheet
TASK 2
INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction and purpose of the report
Introduction of information technology has made work much easier and contributed in
enhancing productivity of the firm. It has helped businesses to increase their production and save
overall production time. Cloud services has facilitated in storage management where data backup
could be stored onto clouds (Taylor, Fritsch and Liederbach, 2014). The purpose of the report is
to analyse benefits of introducing software in the Rose Ltd and make understand employees as
well its advantages. Managing director is not sure about the cost and benefits of the purchase,
therefore, spreadsheet will be prepared which would analyse product cost. In the report,
advantages of introducing technological advancements will be studied. There are charts, tables,
graphs etc. which could be utilized for enhancing presentation.
ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
2. Findings from Task 1
DATA VIEW
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FORMULA VIEW
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Illustration 2: Formula View
From the task performed we came to know that total cost including VAT for the products
including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint was £1,020.00. Whereas,
the cost after including VAT of 17.50%, overall cost for the products calculated was £1,198.50.
IF function has been applied to identify overall cost whether it is over-budget or under-budgeted.
After applying the function it has been found that, if VAT in not included then cost for Microsoft
Word was under-budgeted whereas the other two were over-budget. Similarly, after applying
VAT also, cost for Microsoft Word was under-budgeted while the two still have over budget
costs.
3. Features of office productivity software for increasing productivity and quality of management
Some of the features that could be utilised for enhancing productivity and quality of
management are discussed below:
 Charts and graphs: It could be utilized in enhancing presentation and making it more
effective to understand by the users. Use of charts and graphs has following advantages:
1. Statistics and data which are complex to understand could be presented using it which
makes it simpler to identify its meaning (Zebehazy and Wilton, 2014).
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2. The mains which are needed to be present to the viewers could be helped by utilizing
them.
3. It is much effective way to involve individuals.
4. Analysts also get benefited from it for extracting more beneficial information.
There are variety of charts available that could be utilized in enhancing presentation. Few
are discussed below:
 Column chart: In a column chart, columns are arranged in vertical manner. Value is
represented by height of each column. It is very effective in calculating percentages taken
into consideration approximately seven groups. Blank space is used to separate columns.
 Horizontal Bar charts: In a bar chart, bars are arranged in horizontal manner. Value is
represented by length of each bar (Hughes and Lavery, 2015). It is best suited when it has
to be utilized for calculating mean and percentages of more than eight groups and it
should be utilized only in the case of comparison when classes are mutually exclusive.
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Illustration 3: Column Chart
(Source:Improve Presentation with Charts and Graphs,
2017 )

 Functions: When functions are used in software development process then it makes
development procedure easier. Work could be divided among all the participating
members and simultaneously outcomes could be achieved. By SUM function, we can
make our work easier for repetitive calculations. The function could be utilized to for
addition of values and we are not required to write addition code again. They are
beneficial in cases when program codes are lengthy and complex (Sharma and Singhal,
2016). Thus, by using them in the software could save time and chances of facing errors
could also be minimized. Functions are also benefits in reducing overall size of the
program. To invoke a function, it is necessary to know the name of it and its parameters. Charts and tables: Tables are useful for data organisation. It could be utilized for
presenting data in more detailed form. Charts are beneficial for presenting information
and data in a clear manner. When data is presented in picture form, it becomes easier to
understand.
Benefits of using chart: They are useful in presenting data in graphical manner. Thus,
data sets could be understand easily. In corporate presentations, excel charts are beneficial.
Visualization gets enhanced with the use of it and audience could be attracted with the help of it.
Data could be updated immediately.
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Illustration 4: Horizontal Bar Chart
(Source: Improve Presentation with Charts and
Graphs, 2017)

Benefits of using tables: Tables are consists of rows and columns that provides feature of
random access (Rice and Shic, 2015). Therefore, work efficiency could be enhanced and time
could be saved as it allows accessing values randomly without looking at entire list line by line.
It could also be utilized for comparing values.
Thus, above stated features could be utilized for enhancing productivity of the firm by
including them in the software development procedure.
4. Technological advances in terms of software and hardware to increase business productivity
Technological advancements have benefited organisations to improve their efficiency
along with saving time. Internet has made people more connected with one another and fast
reach to markets. Three technological advances that could be utilized to increase business
efficiency are discussed below:
 Code management: once the code of the program is written and run, various errors are
encountered which are needed to be solved by the developer only. But with the
advancement in technology, it has become much easier to identify bugs and errors from
the logic of the code (Top 10 Advances in Software Development, 2007). It does not
require considering what programming language has been used for its development.
Thus, time gets saved in chasing bugs.
 XML: There are basically two levels for operating XML : for document markup, syntax
is provided by it. Secondly, document' structures could also be represented by XML
syntax. It is useful in presenting data in readable form. Earlier it was very difficult to
store data due to limited storage capacity. But nowadays this facility has benefited people
by providing storage and data exchange features. Mash-ups have come into usage these
days in which software could be combined so that productive outcomes could be
generated.
 IDEs: Integrated Development Environments are useful when all the tools of the
programming are needed to combine into single application (Hoc, 2014). User interface,
documentation system, macro language remains consistent.
 Modelling tools: in software development procedure, modelling tools plays an important
role. Various tools have been developed that could be utilized for writing logics of the
programs and creating functions so that overall development procedures could be
enhanced.
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 Version Control: it is utilized for presenting how much development has been made in
the given code and how timely improvements have been introduced in the program. With
the advancement in technology, operating systems and software's have come up with
updates by introducing new features. Thus, it is beneficial for the bushinesses for
enhancing their productivity and quality of management (Wang, 2015). When businesses
makes use of updated software's, it enables them to hold competitive position in the
market as well.
 Unit Testing: it basically refers to the process when a piece of code is tested so that if
necessary improvement are needed to be introduced then could be implemented at early
stages only. Cost of modifications at the end of development of entire software is very
high. Thus, in this concept of unit testing has benefited developers. Thus, code of the
software could be operated and errors could be identified. With the help of it, part of
program that has malfunctioned could be identified and accordingly issues could be
fixed. Therefore, overall development time could be saved.
 Introduction of new technologies: With the introduction of technology, various hardware
have been developed for improving work efficiency and business performance. They also
contribute in saving overall time for carrying out specific work (Hoc, 2014). For
example, pen drives have been introduced that could be utilized for storing data and
transferring on other devices. Bluetooth has also facilitated in data transfer process.
CONCLUSION
5. Conclusion with summarised main points and importance of information technology in
increasing profits
From the complete study on importance of information technology in daily life, it could
conclude that use of technology in day today life had enhanced living standards. It has also
benefited businesses to increase their efficiency and performance by making them available
advanced version of software and hardware tools. By using the latest technological devices,
overall time required for completion of the task has been reduced. Cost required for production
has also been minimized. Thus, it is very essential for the employees of Rosewood Ltd to
understand importance of information technology in their working practices. No matter what is
the size of the venture, technology has always benefited in terms of making money and bringing
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innovations in the work so that competitive advantage could be hold in the marketplace. Various
techniques have been developed by science which has solved several issues of data storage, data
handling, transfer of information and many more. Cloud services has been information
technology sector by providing facility of storing data and information on clouds thus, reducing
work handling and storing on storage devices with limited capacities.
It is also helpful for ventures to identify current trends of the market and accordingly
changes could be introduced in the working practices.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Booth, P., 2014. An Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction (Psychology Revivals).
Psychology Press.
Hoc, J. M. ed., 2014. Psychology of programming. Academic Press.
Hughes, W. and Lavery, J., 2015. Critical Thinking: An Introduction to the Basic Skills-
Canadian Seventh Edition. Broadview Press.
Kurtz, M. M., and et.al., 2015. Social skills training and computer-assisted cognitive remediation
in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia research. 162(1). pp.35-41.
Mayer, R. E. ed., 2013. Teaching and learning computer programming: Multiple research
perspectives. Routledge.
Rice, L. M. and Shic, F., 2015. Computer-assisted face processing instruction improves emotion
recognition, mentalizing, and social skills in students with ASD. Journal of autism and
developmental disorders. 45(7). pp.2176-2186.
Sharma, P. and Singhal, S., 2016. Comparative analysis of procedural approaches for facility
layout design using AHP approach. International Journal of Manufacturing Technology
and Management. 30(5). pp.279-288.
Taylor, R. W., Fritsch, E. J. and Liederbach, J., 2014. Digital crime and digital terrorism.
Prentice Hall Press.
Wang, D., 2015. A problem solving oriented intelligent tutoring system to improve students'
acquisition of basic computer skills. Computers & Education. 81. pp.102-112.
Zebehazy, K. T. and Wilton, A. P., 2014. Charting Success: The experience of teachers of
students with visual impairments in promoting student use of graphics. Journal of Visual
Impairment & Blindness (Online). 108(4). p.263.
Online
Improve Presentation with Charts and Graphs. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.edrawsoft.com/improve-presentation.php>. [Accessed on 27th July 2017].
Top 10 Advances in Software Development. 2007. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.devtopics.com/top-10-advances-in-software-development/>. [Accessed on
27th July 2017].
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