Planning and productivity software is designed for monitoring and improving efficiency, productivity and project management activities. Products differ in terms of architecture, features, and applications. Web-based applications do not require the installation of planning and productivity software on employee workstations, personal computers (PCs), or handheld devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, and pocket PCs. Instead, employees use a browser to connect to a remote web server. Most PC-based applications use the Microsoft Windows operating system, client/server architecture, and network protocols such as Ethernet or token ring. Standalone products such as personal productivity applications are commonly available. Some planning and productivity software runs under the MacOS operating system. Other products use Linux. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. MacOS and Apple are registered trademarks of Apple Computers, Inc. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Selection

Selecting planning and productivity software requires an analysis of features and applications. For example, some Web-based applications allow customers to schedule appointments through the Internet. Others restrict access to an organization’s own personnel. Some PC-based products are designed to manage shift schedules, time off requests, attendance, absence and vacations. Others allow managers to analyze past activities and prepare data for payroll processing. Shift management software is used to improve the scheduling of tasks in organizations where employees work in multiple shifts and on multiple projects. Construction software is used by homebuilders, general contractors, property managers, developers, and service companies.

Applications

There are many applications for planning and productivity software. Examples include medical, manufacturing, accounting, business, dispatch, facility, job shop, machine shop, and maintenance planning software; and business, office, personal and financial productivity software. Among the most popular products are personal productivity software, and financial productivity software. Many other types of planning and productivity software are also available.