Unit 14: Customising and Integrating Applications Level: 3 Unit type: Internal Guided learning hours: 60 Unit in brief Learners explore and develop customised and integrated applications to meet
organisational needs, such as to offer greater flexibility and improve performance.
Unit introduction Application software often requires extra functionality to support organisational
processes and to improve the performance and/or flexibility of an organisation.
Customised and integrated applications may provide a cost-effective way for an
organisation to create solutions rather than developing software from scratch or
purchasing bespoke software. For example, integrating apps with social media, providing
automation using Google Docs™ and SharePoint
®
integration with cloud technology.
In this unit, you will explore how different technologies, such as Visual Basic
®
for
Applications (VBA), AppleScript
®
, application programming interface (APIs) and third-
party extensions can be used to extend the functionality of applications, including cloud
products such as Software as a Service (SaaS). These technologies allow businesses to
customise and integrate applications with greater scope and flexibility than is possible
using off-the-shelf software. You will explore different technologies and techniques for
customising and/or integrating applications by undertaking a series of short activities,
analysing the results. You will design, implement and test a customised and integrated
software application to solve a problem requiring the use of a range of applications,
such as office software or cloud solutions.
Ideally, this unit should be delivered after, or perhaps alongside,
Unit 4: Programming .
The knowledge, understanding and skills, such as problem solving, you gain in this unit
support progression to higher education courses. The unit will help you when entering
an IT apprenticeship or the workplace.
