PASS COLLEGE

APPLIED BUSINESS TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES

BSHM-II/BSTM-II
CHAPTER I
BUSINESS TOOL TERMINOLOGIES
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter, the student can

 Define "Business tool",

 Identify different of business tools;
 Describe the different business tool considerations;
 Describe of business tools; and
 Discuss the use Business Tools to Stay Competitive
What is a Business Tool
Business management tools are all the systems, applications, controls, calculating solutions, methodologies, etc. used
by organizations to be able to cope with changing markets, ensure a competitive position in them and improve business
performance.
There are instruments relevant to the department of each company that can be categorized for each management
aspect. For example, tools for preparation, process tools, tools for documentation, tools for staff, tools for decision-making.
control tools, etc. These general aspects will be regarded by classification by function:

 Tools that are used in every department for data input and validation.
 Tools used for business process management and development.
 Tools used for the consolidation and decision making of details
Due to rapid technological advancements, management techniques have now advanced rapidly in the last decade. It has
advanced so quickly that it is now difficult to pick the right business tool for any company situation. This is exacerbated by a
never-ending effort to reduce costs and raise revenue, the desire to consider the needs of consumers, and the struggle to
produce the goods they need in the way they need.
In this situation, instead of going for the latest technology, managers should take a strategic approach to business
management instruments. Managers typically rely on the without any modification, contributing to an unpredictable situation.
Tools for business management should be carefully chosen and then tailored to the requirements of the company and not the
other way around.

Classification of Business Tools

There are several ways of classifying software tools, each of which gives us a different perspective on these tools. specific
function activities that they support.
1. A functional perspective where tools are classified according to their specific function.
2. A process perspective where tools are classified according to the process activities that they support.
3. An Integration perspective where tools are classified according to how they are organized into integrated units that
provide support for one or more process activities.
The following table shows a classification of software tools according to function. This table lists a number of different types
of tools and specific examples.

Tool Type Examples

Planning Tools PERT tools, estimation tools, spreadsheets
Editing Tools Text editors, diagram editors, word processors
Change Management Tools Requirements traceability tools, change control systems
Configuration Management Tools Version Management systems, system building tools
Prototyping Tools Very high level languages, user interface generators
Method-support Tools Design editors, data dictionaries, code generators
Language-processing tools Compilers, interpreters
Program Analysis Tools Cross reference generators, static analyzers, dynamic analyzers
Testing Tools Test data generators, file comparators
Debugging Tools Interactive debugging systems
Documentation Tools Page lay-out programs, image editors
Reengineering Tools Cross-reference systems, program restructuring systems

Business Tool Considerations

A significant phase in the performance testing process begins before your company starts gathering data is to choose
the ideal testing method. In matching a testing method to do your web platforms, there are many variables to consider. Here
are 8 of the most critical factors to consider when deciding which instrument will help you build on your best solution for
testing.
A. Customer Preference Tool - If the IT employees are already familiar the method of load testing, it is important to
consider the instruments have used in the past and the ones they prefer. Familiarity is crucial and can reduce the learning
curve required to introduce the instrument on the platforms of your organization significantly. Elements such as case of use
of the GUI and available plugins for analysis are relevant here.
B. Availability of License within Customer Machine - consider if the instrument is compatible for licensing with the
existing testing machines of your business. That would mean making additional hardware transactions or rentals to conduct
the tests if the method is not compatible.
C. Availability of the Test Environment - To create a sufficiently accessible testing environment, the performance tool
needs to be able to access enough hardware and network resources. If a network test environment that correctly simulates the
desired amount of traffic cannot be accomplished by the method, it will not work for the needs of your business.
D. Additional Protocol Support - For your business, a tool that can support a wide variety of protocols is more beneficial
than one with a more restricted reach. For instance, protocols that are currently used may not be suitable for your current
setting, or changes to the infrastructure may change which protocols are supported. Being able to support extra protocols
provides flexibility to the instruments to retain support across adjustments to the platform.
E. License Cost - Another substantial factor is the expense of using this tool. Not all instruments are equally produced, nor
do they share the same price tag. The cost of the license needs to fit into the IT budget of your company, while providing
your employees with the necessary capabilities to conduct reliable load tests on your system. Keeping ease of use in mind is
also important: One tool might be cheaper, but if it takes your workers more time to study, implement, and use, you may
incur additional costs.
F. Efficiency of Tool - The efficiency of a testing tool refers to how many current virtual users it can produce on a single test
operating system for a test. In order to create a larger-scale virtual test, a more powerful tool ensures that the organization can
need testing devices.
G. User Options for Testing - Different tools provide different performance testing user choices, the tool your organization
uses should include the ones that fit your needs best. These options will vary from the maximum volume of virtual users to
the required local performance changes to work around issues that inhibit the accuracy of the test.
H. Vendor Support - In certain cases, the people behind the instrument are as critical as the instrument itself. As with every
big purchase that your company will rely on in the long run, the company needs to inquire if the manufacturer will find the
instrument when you need it. Other factors are important, such as aid during the setup process and support for
troubleshooting.
Uses of Business Tools
A survey conducted by Bain & Company in 2013 revealed how business instruments are across the globe. These
tools reflect how their findings relate to the needs of each country, given the downturn and the business situation of
companies.

 Strategic planning
 Outsourcing relationship management
 Employee engagement surveys
 Benchmarking
 Balanced scorecard
 Core competency
 Outsourcing
 Change management programs
 Supply chain management
 Mission statement and vision statement
 Market segmentation
 Total quality management
How to Use Business Tools to Stay Competitive Now that you know some of the advantages of incorporating BI instruments
in the work of your organization, you might be wondering how to do so. To get started, consider these general
recommendations by experts Datapine, based on their 11-Step BI Roadmap:
 Define Your Objectives: You need to clearly define your priorities before deciding what BI resources to use. Then
think about what exactly you want BI to assist you with.
 Assess the current situation: Figure out what works, what does not work, and be completely aware of operating
procedures.
 Create a roadmap: Compile a practical timeline outlining short and long- term priorities. When it comes to your BI
efforts, this timeline should serve as a path map to follow.
 Clean Up Your Data: The realization of actionable knowledge requires clean data. So, make sure you spend some
time tidying up all the details that you have on hand.
 Employ Additional Support (if required): Often, you cannot be able to navigate the complexities of BI resources
on your own effectively. Consider hiring a Chief Data Officer in the movement that you are struggling. And a small
team that can concentrate primarily on data and market intelligence.
 Select the right tools: Take some time to try free trials, interview different providers of BI and analytics, and
consider creating a custom application. Consider factors such as the ability to scale up and whether the instruments
should be cloud-based or on-site. Don't hurry through this stage. The more work you put into choosing the right
instruments, the better the results are going to be.

Prepared by: Ms. Sharlene Celi, LPT

HM Instructor