Computer applications in management - Essay Example

Computer applications in management Introduction Microsoft Excel is the most powerful, important and greatest software applications in the business world. It is mainly used in statistical analyses and quantitative analysis. Microsoft has its merits. It has built in features that help users pick the right function and use it correctly. This is evidence during the data entry processes where excel displays a list of function, thus exhibiting various choices. In the formula bar users can click FX to launch the insert function dialog that assists them to choose and enter the function correctly. Excel also offers users with online help solution on Excel functions. Excel contains a tool fill handle that saves time when entering formulas and creating values. The others include; queries and reports, data structure and normalization through multiple tables, Scalability through adding more records are free, data and referential integrity, powerful analysis of large amounts of data, Easy and effective comparisons and working together with the advent of the excel web application you can now work on spreadsheets simultaneously with other users. The ability to work together encourages a person’s ability to processes and gives room for sessions with large sets of data. Tools within the task bar give one option thus giving one the most out of the sharing capabilities of Microsoft Excel. Excel can be used to make budgets, calendars, cards, forms, and invoices among many others. Spreadsheets have a number of disadvantages in the company by providing inaccurate data that is used in making strategic and real- time decisions. This is caused by information delays and data entry errors. Uses of Excel spreadsheets in a company (Porter and Stephenson ,pp 4-6). 1. Budget 2. Sales information 3. Balance sheet 4. Sales budget and schedule of cash collection 5. Sales budget formulae References Business Management. Escaping the Spreadsheet Chaos to Drive Business Performance. 27 April 2013 . Kwak, James. The Importance of Excel. 9 February 2013. 27 April 2013 . Porter, Jason and Teresa Stephenson. "Creating an Excel-Based Budget You’ll Really Use." February 2010. 27 April 2013 . Terborg, Pascal. The First Decade of Business Intelligence. August 2009. 27 April 27 . Read More