In order for today’s departmental leaders to function as business process experts and trusted decision makers, real experience and expertise with departmental information systems is indispensable.

But as the increasing ease of software application integration helps companies transition to more connected and functionally comprehensive software systems, departmental barriers are also breaking down. The dividing lines in conventional organizational structures are blurring and the scope of software knowledge needed to manage effectively is broadening.

To keep up with this changing technological environment, we’ve profiled 55 business management applications, whose core business benefits every tech-savvy executive should be aware of.

Accounts Payable

Accounts payable software coordinates the payment of funds made to vendors, suppliers, subcontractors and others for purchases of goods and services or other business expenses.

Accounts Payable Application Overview	Details
Also known as	AP, payables
Core features	Vendor database, check writing, accounts payable ledger, records search, aging reports
Advanced features	Electronic payments, advanced supplier management, document attachment, pre-scheduled payments, batch check printing, duplicate payment monitoring
Potential integration points	General ledger, cash management, job cost, cost accounting
Standalone or system-based	Accounts payable software is most commonly sold as part of an accounting or ERP program

Find out more about features and top products with our accounts payable software buyer’s guide.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable software manages the collection of money owed to businesses for purchases of goods or services made on credit extended by the seller.

Accounts Receivable Application Overview	Details
Also known as	AR, receivables, collections, billing
Core features	Customer database, receivables ledger, records search, aging reports, finance terms, credit memos, overpayment management, early payment discounts, charge-offs, customer holds
Advanced features	Complex billing terms support, partial/progress billing optimization, collections management, invoicing
Potential integrations	General ledger, cash management, cost accounting
Standalone or system-based	Accounts receivable is most often sold as part of an accounting or ERP program, but sometimes can be paired with invoicing and sold as billing specific software

Find out more about features and top products with our accounts receivable software buyer’s guide.

Applicant Tracking

Applicant tracking applications streamline activities related to recruiting job candidates for business employment.

Applicant Tracking Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Candidate tracking, talent acquisition
Core features	Candidate database, activity/communications management, candidate scoring, resume parsing, resume search, interview/follow-up scheduling, interview/candidate notes
Advanced features	Integration with job board sites, social media integration, background checking, email templating, alerts & notifications, task management, recruiting workflow management & definition, referrals management, candidate source evaluation, recruiting cost analytics
Potential integrations	Email, phone system, talent management, HRMS/HRIS, job boards (external), social media (external)
Standalone or system-based	Applicant tracking applications are typically sold as part of a talent manage or full human resources suite

Find out more about features and top products with applicant tracking functionality in our HR software buyer’s guide.

Asset Management

Asset management applications provide a management system for the purchase, operation, maintenance, valuation, improvement, repair, and disposal of company held assets.

Asset Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Enterprise asset management (EAM), equipment management, computerized maintenance management software (CMMS)
Core features	Asset location tracking, reventative maintenance scheduling, current value and depreciation tracking, warranty/contract management, asset disposal management
Advanced features	Insurance management, variable depreciation scheduling, disposal versus repair calculations, asset performance monitoring, asset purchase planning & budgeting
Potential integrations	Manufacturing execution systems, fleet management software, service management software, work order management applications, general ledger, budgeting software
Standalone or system-based	Asset management applications are often purchased as a component of service management, manufacturing management, or ERP systems, but can also be purchased individually

Find out more about features and top products with asset management in our CMMS software buyer’s guide.

Bank Reconciliation

Bank reconciliation software automates the comparison of bank and accounting data required to identify record-keeping discrepancies and the subsequent actions needed to bring the accounts into agreement.

Bank Reconciliation Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Reconciliation
Core features	Financial institution data import, automated transaction matching, manual matching overrides, audit trail
Advanced features	Risk assessment, reconciliation scheduling, positive pay support
Potential integrations	Accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, financial institution accounts (external), custom rules creation, multiple currency support
Standalone or system-based	Asset management applications are often purchased as a component of service management, manufacturing management, or ERP systems, but can also be purchased individually

Benefits Administration

Benefits administration software offers a comprehensive system for selecting, managing, and delivering employee benefits such as medical & disability insurance, retirement savings, PTO, and incentive compensation.

Benefits Administration Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Benefits management
Core features	Benefits eligibility & enrollment management, paid-time-off management, export to payroll processing, insurance & retirement plan comparisons
Advanced features	Compliance management, employee self-serve portals, configurable automated employer matching rules, cost analysis tools
Potential integrations	HRMS/HRIS, payroll
Standalone or system-based	Benefits administration software is available as a standalone application or as part of an HRMS/HRIS or ERP system

Find out more about features and top products with benefits administration functionality in our HR software buyer’s guide.

Bill of Materials

Bill of materials applications enable the creation, revision, and control of documents which specify the components and assemblies required to manufacture a product.

Bill of Materials Application Overview	Details
Also known as	BOM
Core features	Parts register, sub-assembly management, supplier fields, stock counts, tree/nested view reports
Advanced features	Revision control, product visualization, document attachment, inventory holds, change order management, scrap percentage control, routing information, serialized inventory support, replacement parts control, parts lead time reporting, environmental/health compliance, customizable alerts & notifications
Potential integrations	Inventory, manufacturing execution systems, shop floor control, material requirements planning, purchasing
Standalone or system-based	Bill of materials applications can be purchased standalone, but are more commonly acquired as part of an inventory, manufacturing, or ERP system

Find out more about features and top products with our bill of materials software buyer’s guide.

Billing

Billing software provides functionality for the invoicing of customers who have purchased goods or services. Billing software may also include software process support for the collection of customer payments.

Billing Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Billing management
Core features	Invoice creation, application of billing terms, invoice customization, invoice templates, status tracking, management reports, multiple payment method support
Advanced features	Subscription billing, progress billing, product configuration options, discount/promotions management, electronic payment support, project billing, invoice/documents customization, credit memos, line item controls, email invoicing, accounts receivable, integrated time tracking, client payment portal, medical billing, utility billing, PCI compliance
Potential integrations	Order management, accounts receivable, job cost, CRM, web payment portals
Standalone or system-based	Billing applications are typically purchased as part of a larger system such as CRM, accounting, order management, or ERP software, but may be purchased as standalone products as well

Find out more about features and top products with billing functionality in our order management software buyer’s guide.

Budgeting

Budgeting software applications provide a systematic approach to the planning of corporate expenditures. Budgeting software also often includes planning and forecasting functionality to enable and control tasks related to the projection of company revenues.

Budgeting Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Financial planning, budgeting, planning, and forecasting
Core features	Simple budget creation, expense and revenue classification, departmentalized budgeting, historical trending
Advanced features	Variance reporting, version control, collaborative budgeting, rolling budgets, predictive analytics, visual dashboards, alerts & notifications, spreadsheet export/import
Potential integrations	General ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management
Standalone or system-based	Budgeting applications are often acquired as part of an accounting or ERP system, though standalone options are both available and popular

Find out more about features and top products with our budgeting software buyer’s guide.

Business Intelligence

Business intelligence software collects, stores, normalizes, and makes accessible business data required for performance evaluation, process optimization, and effective strategic decision-making.

Business Intelligence Application Overview	Details
Also known as	BI, Business analytics, reporting, report writer/writing
Core features	Data mining, benchmarking, performance evaluation, forecasting, planning, user-based reporting, report template creation
Advanced features	Visua mapping, sales forecasting, workforce management & hiring analytics, regulatory compliance management, quality management, risk management, decision engineering
Potential integrations	Unlimited
Standalone or system-based	Business intelligence features are a standard component of various business applications; BI-specific applications are sold as standalone products, though, they are often components of larger systems such as accounting, ERP, HRIS/HRMS, project management, sales management, or service management suites

Find out more about features and top products with our business intelligence software buyer’s guide.

Business Process Modeling

Business process modeling software enables the creation and analysis of business process charts, diagrams, and other visualizations.

Business Process Modeling Application Overview	Details
Also known as	BPM, process modeling
Core features	BPM design environment, preset process templates (flow charts, mind maps, SWOT analysis, swim lanes, site maps, Gantt charts, etc), multi-format document export
Advanced features	Version control, collaborative document creation/editing, support for various process model standards (BPMN, ICAM, UML), client/server deployment with centralized database, process validation tools
Potential integrations	Quality management, risk management
Standalone or system-based	Business process modeling applications work well as standalone products given the tight scope of their intended functionality, though they are sometimes include in BI or ERP suites

Cash Management

Cash management software allows for the monitoring of company bank accounts. Cash management solutions can help ensure adequate capital to meet expense obligations and to optimize the earning potential of corporate funds.

Cash Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	NA
Core features	Cash account reporting, cash forecasting, bank reconciliation, reconciliations management
Advanced features	Cash position optimization, predictive analytics, configurable calculations for determining payment schedules based on supplier terms, account transfers management, currency conversion
Potential integrations	General ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial institution account data (external)
Standalone or system-based	Cash management applications are typically included in accounting and ERP suites, but users with more advanced needs may opt to purchase more robust standalone applications.

Find out more about features and top products with cash management functionality in our accounting software buyer’s guide.

Commissions Management

Commissions management software simplifies the complexity associated with tracking, calculating, and disbursing employee financial incentives.

Commissions Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Incentives management
Core features	Commissions calculation, management reporting, formula management, quota management
Advanced features	Commission splitting management, employee reporting portals, visual dashboards, default commission plan/calculation libraries, refund management, approvals management
Potential integrations	Accounts receivable, sales analysis, payroll, HRMS/HRIS
Standalone or system-based	Commissions management applications are generally included as a component of sales management suites, but there are a number of commercially available standalone offerings

Find out more about features and top products with our compensation management software buyer’s guide.

CRM

CRM applications provide a suite of features designed to help employees execute, analyze, and optimize customer interactions throughout the business relationship lifecycle.

CRM Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Customer relationship management, sales force automation
Core features	Contact management, activity/communication tracking, customer attribute tracking, lead management, sales performance management, work flow management
Advanced features	Invoicing, trouble tickets, email integration, social integration, sales forecasting, document attachment and management, alerts, approvals management, visual dashboards, territory mangaement, marketing campaign management, message templates, custom call scripting
Potential integrations	Order management, accounts receivable, inventory control, service management
Standalone or system-based	CRM systems are most frequently purchased as an an integrated, single systems, though they can also be found within many ERP suites.

Find out more about features and top products in our CRM buyer’s guide.

Dispatching

Dispatching applications provide a software mechanism to communicate off-site work assignments to personnel in the field.

Dispatching Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Routing
Core features	Scheduling, routing, order tracking, mapping, status tracking, address book, customer look-up
Advanced features	GPS support, vehicle inventory, mileage tracking, fuel expense management, load capacity tracking, driver performance analytics, driver workload management
Potential integrations	Service management, work order management, order management, inventory control, purchasing, accounts receivable, project management, job cost
Standalone or system-based	Dispatching applications are frequently purchased as stand-alone products, or may be acquired as part of a more comprehensive fleet management, service management, or service-oriented ERP system

Document Management

Document management software manages the creation, collection, storage, revision, and distribution of business documents.

Document Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Document control, file management
Core features	Document capture, file attachment, document storage, access control, document retrieval, text search, annotation
Advanced features	Document validation, metadata & tagging, versioning & audit trail, access control, voice-to-text translation, optical character recognition (OCR), encryption, approvals management, data back-up
Potential integrations	Unlimited
Standalone or system-based	Many applications include document management features; independent document management systems are sold as stand-alone products, though general document management systems may be included as part of ERP suites in more sophisticated products

Find out more about features and top products with our document management software buyer’s guide.

eCommerce

eCommerce applications provide web-based functionality enabling the execution and management of online business transactions.

eCommerce Application Overview	Details
Also known as	B2B eCommerce, B2C eCommerce
Core features	Web shopping carts, account management, design templates, order tracking, credit card processing integration, shipping integration, inventory control, price management, marketing/sales analytics, SSL & other web security features
Advanced features	Content management features, blogging, & web publishing, sales tax management, product configurators, visual analytics dashboards, customer reviews, search engine optimization, promotions management, product ratings, product comparisons, ERP integration
Potential integrations	Inventory control, order management, accounts receivable, general ledger, purchasing, CRM
Standalone or system-based	eCommerce systems are most commonly purchased independently; a few of the more sophisticated ERP platforms offer integrated eCommerce capabilities

Find out more about features and top products in our eCommerce software buyer’s Guide.

EDI

EDI applications offer the data translation and network access required to communicate trade documentation between business partners via the standardized electronic data interchange protocol.

EDI Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Electronic data interchange
Core features	Data mapping to EDI document formats, trade partner management, error checking
Advanced features	Multiple transport protocols (HTTP/S, Web Services including SOAP & REST, ODBC, JDBC, FTP, LDAP, SMTP/POP3), multiple data formats (XML, X12, EDIFACT, CICA, HL7, ANSI, VICS), EDI network access
Potential integrations	Inventory control, order management, accounts receivable, general ledger, purchasing, CRM
Standalone or system-based	Many supply chain and ERP systems include EDI translation capabilities; 3rd party EDI translation products are also available; companies seeking to outsource management of EDI transmission will need to work with EDI network providers

Find out more about features and top products in our EDI software buyer’s guide.

Expense Reporting

Expense reporting software streamlines and controls tasks associated with the submittal, approval, and reimbursement of employee expenses.

Expense Reporting Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Expense management, travel expense reporting
Core features	Expense inputs, expense categorization, approvals management, client/project association, expense status tracking
Advanced features	Electronic receipts, mileage calculations, credit card import, automated expense validation against configurable rules, web portal, auto-categorization, customer rebilling
Potential integrations	Accounts payable, payroll, billing, accounts receivable, financial institution data account data import (external)
Standalone or system-based	Accounting and ERP products offer expense management tools, though standalone applications are available as well

Fixed Asset

Fixed asset software provides functionality to manage the depreciation of corporate assets from acquisition through disposal.

Fixed Asset Depreciation Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Asset depreciation
Core features	Asset register, user-definable depreciation methods, asset location tracking, customizable depreciation periods, IRS forms support
Advanced features	Asset hierarchies, associations, & parent/child dependencies, depreciation forecasting, asset splits, asset transfer management, tracking of insurance, financing, & warranty information, advanced depreciation methods
Potential integrations	Accounts payable, payroll, billing, accounts receivable, financial institution data account data import (external)
Standalone or system-based	Fixed asset modules are a standard component of most accounting and ERP products and are also available as standalone applications

Find out more about the top fixed assets products.

Forecasting & Planning

Forecasting applications allow for the projection of sales and other company revenues based on both user-provided inputs and historical data. Planning features help translate demand forecasts into concrete requirements summaries detailing the equipment, material, human resources, and other business prerequisites needed to satisfy customer expectations.

Forecasting Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Sales forecasting
Core features	Pipeline management and status tracking, collaborative forecasting, forecast categories, departmentalization, quotas
Advanced features	Predictive analytics based on historical data, what-if scenarios, rolling predictions, forecast to actuals variance reporting, forecast versioning, visual dashboards
Potential integrations	CRM, billing, accounts receivable, budgeting
Standalone or system-based	Forecasting modules are a fairly standard component available in most ERP systems, but can also be purchased as standalone applications

Find out more about features and top products with forecasting and planning functionality in our Buyer’s Guide.

Fund Accounting

Fund accounting software systems support a financial management approach which enables the segregation of funds, allowing for the establishment and enforcement of rules governing the type of expenditures which can be made from individual funds.

Fund Accounting Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Fund management
Core features	Rporting, fund categories, hierarchical structure, balance sheet reporting, income statement reporting, encumbrances, fund transfers, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, bank reconciliation, purchase orders, audit trail
Advanced features	Predictive analytics based on historical data, what-if scenarios, rolling predictions, forecast to actuals variance reporting, forecast versioning, visual dashboards, investment management, fund transfers, budgeting, project/grant/endowment management, approvals management, role-based user access, fundraising management
Potential integrations	Accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, fundraising, grant management, purchasing
Standalone or system-based	System-based (accounting/financial management)

Find out more about features and top fund accounting products in our Buyer’s Guide.

General Ledger

General ledger software provides the master ledger functionality necessary for recording and reporting on an organization’s revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities.

General Ledger Application Overview	Details
Also known as	GL
Core features	Chart of accounts, balance sheets, income statements, journal entries, drill-down, account coding, accounting period definitions, batch posting, period closing, departmentalization, access control and authorization, audit trail, cash or accrual accounting, account reconciliation
Advanced features	Alerts, budgeting, budgeting variance reporting, statistical accounts, multi-level account hierarchies, multiple currency support, multi-entity accounting, intercompany transfers, reversing entries, recurring transactions, fixed asset tracking
Potential integrations	Accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fundraising, job cost, POS, budgeting
Standalone or system-based	General ledger applications are typically sold as the core component of a larger accounting or ERP system

Find out more about features and top products with general ledger functionality in our Buyer’s Guide.

HRMS/HRIS

HRMS/HRIS systems provide functionality for supporting and optimizing business processes related to human capital management, including: talent management, employee records, benefits administration, time and attendance, and payroll.

HRMS/HRIS Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Human resources management software, human resources information software
Core features	Employee job history, PTO management, employee certification tracking, retirement plan administration, employee insurance management, employee performance evaluation
Advanced features	Payroll processing, applicant tracking/talent acquisition, time and attendance, workforce management, learning management, onboarding, succession planning, compensation management, employee performance evaluation, health and wellness benefits administration, ACA compliance reporting/management, organizational charting, corporate calendar
Potential integrations	Payroll, time tracking
Standalone or system-based	HRMS systems are frequently purchased as independent software suites, though they are also available as components of some ERP systems

Find out more about features and top products with human resources functionality in our Buyer’s Guide.

Inventory

Inventory software provides the central management system for maintaining records pertaining to the item descriptions, stock counts, cost, pricing, transactional histories, and locations of company materials, supplies, parts, and finished goods.

Inventory Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Inventory management, inventory control, parts management, materials management
Core features	Stock keeping units, location tracking, price management, inventory costing, product descriptions
Advanced features	Bar-coding, serial number tracking, bill of materials, RFID tracking, work-in-progress, kitting, lot/batch tracking, expiry tracking, matrix pricing, tax codes, multiple manufacturer or in-house part numbers, movement history, multiple modes of inventory costing (FIFO, LIFO, Average, Weighted Average, etc), supplier tracking, item images, alternative product recommendations, cycle counting, unit of measurement conversion, catchweight inventory, reorder thresholds
Potential integrations	Order management, POS, purchasing, job costing, material requirements planning (MRP), manufacturing execution system, bill of materials, shop-floor control, CRM
Standalone or system-based	Inventory applications are most commonly purchased as part of a supply chain, accounting, or ERP product, though standalone options are available as well

Find out more about features and top products with inventory functionality in our Buyer’s Guide.

Invoicing

Invoicing applications offer functionality to create, customize, and distribute billing documents to customers for the purchase of goods and services.

Invoicing Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Invoice, billing
Core features	Invoice creation, customizable invoice templates, discounting/promotions application, status tracking, management reporting
Advanced features	Recurring invoices, email integration, time-based billing, client/project association, line-item discounting, volume discounting, approvals management
Potential integrations	Accounts receivable, billing, order management, POS, purchasing, job costing
Standalone or system-based	Invoicing functionality is a standard component of billing, accounting, and ERP software; standalone invoicing products are available as well

Find out more about features and top products with invoicing functionality in our Buyer’s Guide.

Job Cost

Job cost applications manage the business processes related to projecting, tracking, categorizing, and reporting on costs incurred in the performance of project work.

Job Cost Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Job costing, project accounting
Core features	Cost categorization/coding, job dashboard
Advanced features	Indirect cost or applied overhead, retainage, phased costing, cost threshold alerts, percent complete tracking, estimating, actual to estimate variance reporting, multi-level cost categorization, projected final cost calculations, prevailing wage or labor rate management, visual cost analytics, quotations, productivity reporting, job contract administration, change order management, vendor/subcontractor dashboards
Potential integrations	Accounts receivable, billing, order management, POS, purchasing, job costing
Standalone or system-based	Job cost applications are typically purchased as part of an accounting, project management, construction management, professional services automation, or ERP product

Find out more about features and top products with job cost functionality in our Buyer’s Guide.

Manufacturing Execution System

Manufacturing execution systems provide the central control capabilities for coordinating, monitoring, and reporting on the human resources, materials, and equipment involved in manufacturing production work.

Manufacturing Execution System Application Overview	Detail
Also known as	MES, Manufacturing operations management
Core features	Production planning/master production scheduling, shop floor control, equipment scheduling, labor scheduling, material requirements planning, production orders, bill of materials
Advanced features	Production monitoring (order status, productivity, downtime), quality management, statistical process control, preventative maintenance scheduling, dynamic order routing, job cost
Potential integrations	Purchasing, order management, inventory control
Standalone or system-based	Manufacturing execution systems are most commonly purchased as part of a manufacturing ERP system, though they can be purchased separately and integrated with financial management, accounting, or ERP software

Find out more about features and top manufacturing execution systems functionality in our MES Software Buyer’s Guide.

MRP

MRP systems help manufacturers coordinate production scheduling and purchasing activities to dynamically meet customer demands, while minimizing overhead expenses and optimizing output.

MRP Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Material requirements planning, material resources planning, MRP I, MRP II
Core features	Production planning, shop floor control, equipment scheduling, labor scheduling, material requirements planning, production orders, bill of materials
Advanced features	Production monitoring (order status, productivity, downtime), quality management, statistical process control, preventative maintenance scheduling, dynamic order routing, job cost
Potential integrations	Purchasing, sales forecasting, order management, inventory control, bill of materials, manufacturing execution system, master production scheduling
Standalone or system-based	MRP functionality is available as a core component of manufacturing-oriented ERP software systems

Find out more about features and top products with MRP functionality in our Buyer’s Guide.

Order Management

Order management software provides process administration tools related to the creation and communication of sales order documentation such as quotes, orders, and invoices.

Order Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Sales order, order entry
Core features	Order creation, customer quote creation, internal order routing, order status tracking, invoicing, customer accounts, order history
Advanced features	Stock commitment, picking, packing, shipping, remote order submission, drop shipment support, return materials authorization (RMA), sales tax management, back orders, approvals management, in-store pick-up
Potential integrations	Accounts receivable, billing, inventory control, purchasing, service management, project management, job cost, warehouse management, shipping, multi-channel management, eCommerce, POS
Standalone or system-based	Inventory applications are most commonly purchased as part of a supply chain, accounting, or ERP product, though standalone options are available as well

Find out more about features and top products with our order management Buyer’s Guide.

Payroll

Payroll software facilitates processes related to the payment of company employees by streamlining tasks such as calculating gross employee earnings, applying withholding deductions, distributing relevant tax forms, automating the filing of business payroll taxes, and disbursing employee compensation through printed checks or direct deposit.

Payroll Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Compensation
Core features	Wage, salary and incentive compensation calculation, variable payroll period selection, payroll check printing, tax deduction calculations, retirement deduction calculations, vacation/leave tracking, employee pay stubs, W2/T4 forms, 1099 forms, 940 & 941 forms, direct deposit, multi-state payroll
Advanced features	Certified payroll, prevailing wage support, electronic filing, time and attendance, wage garnishments, ACA tracking, employee payroll portal, multiple payr rates per employee
Potential integrations	GL, time and attendance, HRIS/HRMS, job cost
Standalone or system-based	There are many standalone payroll applications available commercially, though many buyers will chose to purchase the software as part of a larger HRIS/HRMS, accounting, or ERP system

Find out more about features and top products with our payroll software Buyer’s Guide.

Performance Management

Performance management software is a type of business intelligence application dedicated to tasks involved in collecting, analyzing, maintaining, and distributing employee work performance information.

Performance Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Performance analytics, workforce analytics
Core features	Data import, date warehousing, data mining, goal management, visual dashboard analytics, performance review, employee scorecards
Advanced features	Employee performance portal, employee flight risk tracking, predictive analytics
Potential integrations	Unlimited
Standalone or system-based	Standalone performance management applications are available to manage data imported from other systems, though buyers can also acquire performance management software as a component of HRIS/HRMS and ERP systems

POS

POS applications provide the functionality required to enable and support sales transactions in a retail environment.

POS Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Point of sale
Core features	Checkout, bar-code support, basic sales tax application, credit card processing, multiple tender type support, hardware integration support, receipts, returns, stock lookup, cashier authentication, sales reporting
Advanced features	Store credit, gift cards, loyalty programs, discount/promotions management, PCI compliance management, inventory control, touch screen, age verification, tip management, layaways, serial number tracking, multi-jurisdictional sales tax management, sales floor POS & kiosks, EBT and food stamps, commission tracking, customer database
Potential integrations	Inventory, CRM, general ledger, order management
Standalone or system-based	Point of sale software is most commonly purchased as a standalone system, though retail-oriented ERP solutions will also offer POS capabilities

Find out more about features and top products with our POS Buyer’s Guide.

Product Lifecycle Management

Product lifecycle management applications provide a centralized suite of features which coordinate product planning and management activities from conception, development and release, until product discontinuation.

Product Lifecycle Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	PLM
Core features	Product file management, revision management, parts validation, bill of materials, pricing management, configuration management, change management, customizable workflow definitions, work order management
Advanced features	Release schedule, audit management, drawing, parts/supplier associations, contract administration, compliance management, quality management, market analysis
Potential integrations	Inventory, forecasting, manufacturing execution system (MES), material requirements planning (MRP), bill of materials, purchasing
Standalone or system-based	Product lifecycle management systems are most often sold independently, though Tier 1 ERP solutions will include PLM functionality as an available option

Project Management

Project management software enables the systematic control of all activities required to execute project work and manage associated documentation.

Project Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	PM
Core features	Project scope definition, project role register, file attachment, calendars, critical path, Gantt charts, dependencies, benchmarks/milestones, percent complete status tracking, timelines/roadmaps, role permissions, notifications and alerts, task management
Advanced features	Project portfolio management, budgeting, job cost, visual dashboards, instant messaging, forums, wikis, email integration, activity screen
Potential integrations	Job cost, estimating, billing, time tracking, purchasing
Standalone or system-based	Project management software can be purchased as a component of professional services automation, construction management, and ERP systems or as a standalone system

Find out more about features and top products with our project management software buyer’s guide.

Purchasing

Purchasing applications streamline procurement tasks such as requisition management, vendor selection, order creation, PO transmission, and delivery confirmation in order to minimize corporate expenditures while ensuring the timely availability of required goods and services.

Purchasing Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Procurement, purchase order, PO
Core features	PO generation, status tracking, due dates, audit trail, vendor database, confirmation of delivery
Advanced features	Vendor management, requisitions, approvals management, automated re-order, recurring purchase management, internal catalogs, contract management, blanket PO
Potential integrations	Accounts payable, material requirements planning, order management, CRM, job cost
Standalone or system-based	Purchase order modules are a standard component in accounting and ERP systems, but can be purchased as individual applications as well

Find out more about features and top products with our purchasing software buyer’s guide.

Quality Management

Quality management software provides analytical features designed to identify and correct the source of both product errors and process inefficiencies.

Quality Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	QMS
Core features	Deviation handling, error/defect tracking, process control, change order control, corrective actions planning, preventive actions planning, audit/inspection management, risk management, cause analysis, dashboard analytics
Advanced features	Machine integration, regulatory compliance
Potential integrations	Master production scheduling, manufacturing execution systems, bill of materials, work orders, material requirements planning (MRP), inventory control
Standalone or system-based	Quality management functionality is most often provided as part of a manufacturing execution system or ERP suite, but can be purchased as a standalone application

Find out more about features and top products with our quality management software buyer’s guide.

Receiving

Receiving applications provide a management system for tasks related to receiving physical goods, such as delivery confirmation and putaway.

Receiving Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Procurement, purchase order, PO
Core features	Planned receipts, unplanned receipts, customer returns, directed putaway
Advanced features	Inspection management
Potential integrations	Inventory, purchasing, order management
Standalone or system-based	Receiving functionality is almost always purchased as part of a larger warehouse management, supply chain, or ERP system, rather than as an individual module

Sales Analysis

Sales analysis applications provide reporting and data visualization tools specialized for the analysis and interpretation of sales data for tasks such as agent performance evaluations, lead source quality reviews, and sales forecasting.

Sales Analysis Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Sales analytics, sales management reporting
Core features	Commissions tracking, pipeline quality reporting, quota management, individual agent analysis, departmentalization, executive overview dashboard, profitability analysis, acquisition cost analysis
Advanced features	Drill-down, lead management, territory analysis, demographic tracking, what-if analysis, sales forecasting, seasonality analysis, open order tracking
Potential integrations	Accounts receivable, CRM, budgeting, invoicing, commissions management
Standalone or system-based	CRM, billing, and ERP systems often include sales analysis tools, though standalone applications can be purchased to add extended functionality

Sales Tax Management

Sales tax management software facilitates the calculation and application of sales taxes on business sales and provides automation features to streamline related tasks such as exemption certificate management and tax filing.

Sales Tax Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Sales tax
Core features	Tax table updates, integration with payment applications, jurisdiction assignment & rate determination, use tax management, excise tax management, value added tax (VAT) support, role based security, rate look up
Advanced features	Address validation, product taxability management, automated filing, international tax calculation
Potential integrations	eCommerce, POS, invoicing, order management
Standalone or system-based	More advanced management capabilities are available through standalone sales tax management applications than the basic sales tax rate application capabilities usually provided in payment applications

Find out more about features and top products with our sales tax management buyer’s guide.

Scheduling

Scheduling applications provide task management and calendaring features to help coordinate the planning and communication for a wide variety of business activities.

Scheduling Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Calendaring, appointment management, task management
Core features	Event scheduling, file attachment, contact info management, flexible calendar views, team/collaborative scheduling, alerts & notifications
Advanced features	Waitlists, customer scheduling portals & web integration, skill-based staff scheduling
Potential integrations	CRM, project management, manufacturing, work order management, human resources, email, text messaging
Standalone or system-based	Many business applications include scheduling capabilities, though ad-hoc scheduling programs are available as standalone software as well

Service Management

Shipping integration applications provide an interface between enterprise order management systems and 3rd party shipping software.

Service Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Field service management
Core features	Work order management, technician availability tracking, job scheduling, service management reporting
Advanced features	Dispatching, routing, customer service request portal & web integration, remote invoicing, electronic signature, contract management, inventory control & parts look-up, electronic signature, approvals management, file attachment, service knowledge base, warranty management, subcontractor management
Potential integrations	CRM, accounts receivable, inventory control, order management, project management, job cost, purchasing
Standalone or system-based	Service management software systems are sold as application specific suites, as well as components of larger ERP programs

Time and Attendance

Time and attendance applications provide a means of capturing and tracking time spent by employees on business activities for billing, costing, payroll, access control, and performance evaluation purposes.

Time and Attendance Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Time tracking
Core features	Time collection, task recording, location tracking
Advanced features	Hardware-based time collection, bio-metric employee verification
Potential integrations	Payroll, human resources, work order management, project management, job cost
Standalone or system-based	Time and attendance applications are available as standalone applications, as well as components of larger systems such as ERP suites

Find out more about features and top products with our time and attendance software buyer’s guide.

Warehouse Management

Warehouse management software provides a coordinated system of controls for optimizing accuracy and speed in the movement of inventory and lowering overhead warehouse costs via more efficient use of warehouse personnel, space, and equipment.

Warehouse Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	WMS
Core features	Inventory control, stock verification, picking/putaway routing, receiving, shipping
Advanced features	Warehouse space planning
Potential integrations	Order management, CRM, purchasing, billing
Standalone or system-based	Warehouse management systems are sold independently, as well as components of larger supply chain management or ERP solutions

Find out more about features and top products with our warehouse management software buyer’s guide.

Work Order Management

Work order management software enables the communication of service, project, or manufacturing work instructions.

Work Order Management Application Overview	Details
Also known as	Work order, service order management, WOM
Core features	Order creation, order assignment, change order management, routing, status tracking, lead-time specification, material requirements documentation
Advanced features	Dispatching, service knowledge base management, service performance analytics
Potential integrations	Order management, CRM, purchasing, billing
Standalone or system-based	Work order management systems are generally purchased as a component of a larger service management or service-oriented ERP system

Find out more about features and top products with our work order management software Buyer’s Guide.