Final answer:
For the task of storing and managing information about clients, vendors, inventory, and orders with various reporting capabilities, a Database Management System (DBMS) such as Microsoft Access is the most suitable option.
Step-by-step explanation:
A manager of a small business looking to store information about clients, vendors, inventory, and orders, while being able to sort and group data for various reports, would be best served by using a Database Management System (DBMS).
Options like Microsoft Access offer robust data base user interface and query capabilities specifically designed to handle complex data structures and relationships, which is what this manager needs.
Software such as Microsoft Excel, which is part of an office suite like Microsoft Office, could also be used for more straightforward data manipulation and analysis. However, Excel is primarily spreadsheet software and though powerful for calculations and data visualization, it may not be as efficient for managing the relationships between different types of data. On the other hand, a DBMS allows for more complex queries, reports, and data integrity.
Word processors, presentation software, and system software do not have the capabilities required for this manager’s needs. Word processors are for document creation, presentation software is for creating slideshows, and system software, like Microsoft Windows, is the underlying software that runs the computer itself.