Bolt-On

What Does Bolt-On Mean?

Bolt-on software is software that can be easily attached to a client project, for example, a website. The term “bolt-on” is similar to the term “plug-and-play” that is used to describe pieces of software that are easily integrated into other larger systems. Some might also call these “add-ons.”

Techopedia Explains Bolt-On

Bolt-on software is often talked about in enterprise resource planning. Experts might talk about “best-of-breed packaged solutions” that can be easily added onto enterprise architectures. For example, a third-party company might sell a specific payroll or accounting program that is better than what comes with a company’s default desktop package. A company can purchase the bolt-on software and easily connect it to their broader architecture for specific functionality.

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Margaret Rouse

Technology Specialist

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.

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