Module 2

 

1) What is workflow software?

Workflow software is software that allows computers to work more efficiently. Workflow software creates a way for all of the computers in an office to communicate regardless of the program that the computer is running. Workflow software also combines many of the operations a computer does and creates a protocol for them.  An example of workflow software could be the software used to run the machines that place lids on milk jugs. Before the machines and the software were created a person would need to stand and twist on lids all day. The software streamlined the process so the machine could do the same job in a much faster way.

2) What is open source software (also called community developed software) and why is it important?

            Open source software (or community developed software) is software that is made available for anybody to make changes to as long as they give credit to the creator of the software. There are many advantages of open source software. Because this software can be edited by so many people there are many more ideas that can be tried out than if you had only a small group working on it. This often creates a competitive environment to see who can create the most useful software. Also because this type of software is created by the “community” the people creating it know what the software needs to be able to do so they can use it.

3) What is outsourcing and why it is important?

            Outsourcing is sending some of the work your company needs done to another company or individuals. Outsourcing helps streamline work so that much of it can be completed at the same time rather than waiting for one person to do it all by themselves. This saves time and money. Outsourcing also gives people the opportunity to work on what they are best at while sending other parts of a job to someone else with different strengths.