"The problems that technology is being expected to solve are expanding," said Andrew Bartels, an analyst at Forrester. The emerging tools are used to manage areas that, in the past, lacked strong technical solutions.

Case management software is used to manage a social service case or an insurance case. The tools are designed to bring together all relevant information a user needs to manage a case. They also analytical capabilities and the ability to work with other people.

"The technology that's available has a better fit against the unsolved business problems," said Bartels.

Supplier risk management tools allow a purchasing department, or line of business, to have in one place all the information, such as orders and history of business, about any of its suppliers.

The risk management systems draw on third parties to check the financial condition of a supplier, and can even provide data on non-financial , such as environmental or social responsibility ratings, said Bartels.