Page 702 - Encyclopedia of Business and Finance

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Sole Proprietorship

and track another person’s computer equipment require a This software maintains the integrity of the data
software solution. Detection software to protect users structure while allowing printing in many different ways,
from these desktop invasions is critical to efficient opera- such as forms, according to the various needs of the user.
tion. Another necessary protection is called a firewall, Another major feature of this software is the ability to
which is software that scrambles the Internet protocol search the records for particular needs. In an inventory
address of the desktop computer so that electronic com- database, for example, a purchasing query could be done
munications cannot be tracked back to the computer that for all merchandise at or near the inventory minimum of
originated the communication. This is absolutely essential the particular item.
when the users of a particular desktop computer may be Publishing software, such as Microsoft Publisher and
children who are vulnerable to predators. Adobe Pagemaker, allow users to create pamphlets, fliers,
and other creative documents using layout design. Style
elements include such features as imported images, text
UTILITY SOFTWARE
and graphic boxes, and rich color, as well as portrait and
A number of software packages include tools that are landscape layouts.
needed by many business users. These packages include An important software design feature referred to as
word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and
object linking and embedding, allows software to share
publishing. Often bundled into a family or suite of soft-
“objects” that are pieces of other data. For example, a
ware, such packages can be purchased and installed
spreadsheet object can be brought into a word-processing
together.
document. Any time the spreadsheet object is updated in
Word processing is a text-preparation tool. This soft- the original spreadsheet software, the object is auto-
ware allows users to produce such documents as letters, matically updated in the destination document. The
memorandums, and reports. Elements of document style word-processing document, in this example, would auto-
such as line spacing, font selection, paragraph indentions, matically be updated without even opening the word-pro-
bolding, italics, and centering can all be accomplished cessing software or document.
with relative ease. Templates of preset-up documents are Software serves the limitless needs of business and
also available. The documents are saved to both online entertainment. The market for software is as dynamic as
and off-line media. Advanced features such as tables, rudi- the changing needs and wants of users.
mentary spreadsheets, and database structures are not
SEE ALSO Information Processing; Programming
available in word-processing packages.
Word processing has evolved into more than a docu-
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ment-preparation program. Now that spell-checkers are
Blanc, Iris, and Vento, Cathy (2005). Performing with projects for
accompanied by grammar and style checking and other
the entrepreneur—Microsoft Office. Cincinnati: Thomson.
advanced features, word processing has become a narrative
Bucki, Lisa A. (2005). Learning computer applications: Projects
tool that can aid in the creation process of such artistic and exercises (3rd ed.). New York: Pearson Prentice Hall.
works as stories, poems, plays, and portfolios. Castro, Elizabeth (2003). HTML for the World Wide Web (5th
Spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, is an ed.). Berkeley, CA: Peach Tree.
essentially quantitative tool wherein data in cell locations Shneiderman, Ben (2004). Designing the user interface: Strategies
are placed in rows and columns in matrix format. That for effective human-computer interaction (8th ed.). Reading,
makes data easy to structure. Rows and columns can be MA: Addison Wesley Longman.
individually designed. Cell contents can be numeric data,
alphanumeric data, or algorithms. Algorithms allow new Douglas C. Smith
data to be generated through formula results. Advanced
features include financial and statistical functions.
Database software, such as Microsoft Access, allows
users to maintain records of related information. For SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP
example, database software can be used to maintain the A sole proprietorship is the simplest form of business
records of the customers of insurance companies. Fields of ownership. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of small
related information might include name, contact infor- businesses begin their existence as sole proprietorships. A
mation, type and amount of insurance carried, date of last sole proprietorship has but one owner. That sole owner
contact, benefit information, and billing information. may engage in any form of legal business activity any time
These fields of information are relational to the key field and anywhere. Other than the various local and state busi-
of name and the fields together represent a record. ness licenses that every business must purchase regardless

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BUSINESS AND FINANCE, SECOND EDITION 679