Unit one: Determine software and upgrade requirements

• Document and report client requirements

Introduction to Computer Software
Computer software is a collection of computer programs and related
data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and
how to do it. In other words, software is a conceptual entity which is a
set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation
concerned with the operation of a data processing system.
Following is an extensive list of examples of the different
kinds of software.
• Application Software
• Educational Software Enterprise Software
• Information Worker Software
• Media Development Software
• Product Engineering Software
• Simulation Software
• Programming Software
• System Software
• Device Drivers
• Network Managers
• Virus Scanners
• Content-Control Software
Types of Computer Software
The two major types the computer software
• System Software: It helps in running the computer hardware and the
computer system. System software is a collection of operating systems; device
drivers, servers, windowing systems and utilities.
• Application Software: It enables the end users to accomplish certain specific
tasks. Business software, databases and educational software are some forms
of application software.
 Word Processing Software:
Database Software:
Spreadsheet Software:
Presentation Software:
System Requirements for Software Installation
To be used efficiently, all computer software needs certain hardware
components or other software resources to be present on a computer.
• Minimum specifications are the absolute minimum requirements for
hardware you should have in your system in order to install and run
the OS you have chosen.
• Recommended hardware specifications are what you should have in
your system to realize usable performance.
• Always try to have the recommended hardware (or better) in your
system. If you don’t, you may have to upgrade your hardware before
you upgrade your OS.
Hardware Requirements
• The most common set of requirements defined by any operating system
or software application is the physical computer resources, also known as
hardware. A hardware requirements list is often accompanied by a
Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), especially in case of operating systems.
rchitecture
• All computer operating systems are designed for particular computer
architecture. Most software applications are limited to particular
operating systems running on particular architectures.
Processing Power
• The power of the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a fundamental system
requirement for any software. Most software running on x86 architecture
define processing power as the model and the clock speed of the CPU.
Many other features of a CPU that influence its speed and power, like bus
speed, cache, and MIPS (Million instructions per second)are often
ignored.
 • Memory
All software, when run, resides in the Random Access Memory (RAM)
of a computer. Memory requirements are defined after considering
demands of the application, operating system, supporting software and
files, and other running processes.
• Secondary Storage
• Hard-disk requirements vary, depending on the size of software
installation, temporary files created and maintained while installing or
running the software
• Software Requirements
Software requirements deal with defining software resource requirements
and pre-requisites that need to be installed on a computer to provide
optimal functioning of an application.
• Platform
In computing, a platform describes some sort of framework, either in
hardware or software, which allows software to run.
• APIs( Application Programming Interface) and Drivers
Software making extensive use of special hardware devices, like high-end
display adapters, needs special API or newer device drivers.
• Web Browser
Most web applications and software depending heavily on Internet
technologies make use of the default browser installed on system
• Other Requirements
Some software also has other requirements for proper performance. Internet
connection (type and speed) and resolution of the display screen are notable examples.
Determining Client Requirements
The installation of new software or a software upgrade involves a
number of carefully planned activities and people who specialize in the
installation of computer applications. Once the client's request has
been evaluated, the computer supports person first analyses:
• The system components including the capabilities of the client's
computer
• The processes that manipulate the data
• The current system deficiencies
• The system constraints
• The specific objectives and the performance requirements of the new
system
• The corporate desktop software used by the organization.
• Software
Variables for new software and upgrade requirements includes
software versions
• Licensing
A supplier of software does not sell you the software; you receive a
license to use the software only. Therefore you must determine if the
client has a current valid license to use the software.
• Organizational Requirements
Variables include contracting arrangements relating to information
technology, purchasing procedures, licensing requirements and supplier
options, storage and retrieval of product licenses, storage of
information technology equipment and documentation and retrieval of
product licenses.
Act on instructions to meet client requirement
Main participants in the installation of software
There are a number of different people involved in the installation of
software, whether it is a new license or upgrades to existing licenses.
The main participants in the installation of new software include:
• Clients or End-Users
• Supervisor
• Computer Support Officer
• Staff Trainer
• Help Desk Staff
• Network Specialist
A. System Requirements
The system requirements may include:
• The hardware platform
• The operating system
• Resource requirements (CPU, memory)
• Storage capacity for the software and data
• Hardware devices such as a mouse, CD ROM drive, printer, backup device,
modem.
• Minimum specifications for hardware such as screen resolution
B .System Incompatibilities
System incompatibilities are mismatches between the software and the
system configuration and or other installed software. System incompatibilities
may prevent the software being installed or prevent the software from
operating as expected.
C. Contacting Vendors
The information collected on vendors and products can be extensive.
Information required from vendors will include:
• A list of prerequisites for installation and operation of the product
• A list of system requirements
• Support and maintenance services, requirements or arrangements
• Vendor details including history and client list for references
• Licensing details and options
• Product pricing and costs (including ongoing)
• Any conditions regarding evaluation of the software (installation
restrictions etc)
 • Licensing requirements
• Verification of licensing requirements
Whenever you install a piece of software on a computer you must
ensure that you comply with the legal obligations outlined in its license
agreement.
Software Licensing
• Is a legal instrument (by way of contract law) governing the usage or
redistribution of software
• An agreement to operate software, to operate a certain number of
copies and to make one backup copy
License Key
• A software license key is a pattern of numbers and/or letters provided
to licensed users of a software program.
Software Piracy
The illegal copying of software.
Illegal copying of software is done in order to:
• Use more copies on more computers
• Make the software available on a network
• Use a copy for personal use
• Distribute copies to friends
• Sell copies to others
• Use parts of the program in another program
Copies are made legally for the following reasons:
• One backup copy to be used only if the original gets damaged
• Targets – Games & Application packages
 Copyright and Intellectual Property
• Copyright – the exclusive right given by law for a certain number of years to people
(authors) to print, publishes, and sells copies of their original work. This original work is
their intellectual property.
Types of Software License
• Register ware:
Refers to computer software which requires the user to give personal information through
registration in order to download or use the program.
• Shareware/Demoware
Refers to copyrighted commercial software that is distributed without payment on a trial basis
and is limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience.
Freeware
• Computer software that is available for use with no cost or for an optional fee.
Open Source Software (OSS)
• OSS is also free software.
Abandon ware
• It refers to software that is no longer available for purchase or that is at least a certain
amount of years old.
• Licensing Rules for Commercial Software Applications
All commercial software comes with licensing agreements which are displayed
before you install the software.
• Documenting Licensing Details
Depending on the organizational guidelines used, required details to be recorded
may vary, but at least the following should be included:
• Name of the software installed
• Version number
• Information whether it is up grade or original software
• License number
• License details
• Vendor name and contact phone number
• Date of installation
• Asset/serial number of the computer on which it is installed
• Name and contact phone number of a person installing the software
Role of Software Installation Instructions and Manuals
A wizard - is a user friendly interactive program designed to simplify
and control software installation. Before you attempt to install any
software you must carefully read the installation instructions provided
with the software.
Dialog boxes demonstrate the type of interactivity provided by
installation wizards. It is not a full sequence of an installation wizard but
a set of selected screens with options typically provided by an
installation wizard.
Readme file - contains additional information about the software.
(Usually it is saved as Readme or Readme.txt).
 • Policies and Obligations of Software Suppliers
• Help Desk Staff: Provide timely advice to users (over the phone).
All software developers provide some kind of support for users of their product.
Installing New or Upgrading Software
Upgrading software
The term upgrade refers to the replacement of a product with a newer version of the same
product.
Risks of Upgrading
• Although developers produce upgrades in order to improve a product, there are risks
involved—including the possibility that the upgrade will worsen the product.
• Upgrades of hardware involve a risk that new hardware will not be compatible with other
pieces of hardware in a system. For example, an upgrade of RAM may not be compatible
with existing RAM in a computer.
When Should You Upgrade Your PC Software?
• With new versions of the software being released regularly; one of the questions we get
often is how someone should decide whether they should upgrade their software to the
current version
Types of Installations
• Silent Installation
Installation that does not display messages or windows during its progress
• Unattended Installation
An installation process usually requires a user who "attends" it to make choices at request:
accepting an EULA(End User License Agreement), specifying preferences and passwords, etc.
• Self-Installation
Unattended installation, without the need of initial launch of the process (i.e. Vodafone Mobile
Connect USB Modem or Huawei E220's Mobile Partner software that self-installs from the USB
port).
• Clean Installation
Given the complexity of a typical installation there are many factors that may interfere with its
successful completion
• Flat Installation
An installation of a program performed from a copy (called a flat copy) of its original media
contents (mostly CDs or DVDs) to a hard drive, rather than directly from the media.
• Network Installation
An installation of program from a shared network drive