It refers to computer systems and platforms that are meant to allow non-programmers who use computers
to create working applications and outputs.
End-User Computing (EUC)
Types of EUC:
This type of EUC involves the most common hardware aspect of an EUC solution,
namely computers. These can be customized for any specification of an end-user
Desktop and Laptop Computer
Types of EUC:
This type of EUC covers the software aspect of desktop and laptop
computers; they can either come packaged with an operating system (OS) or sold/developed separately.
Desktop Operating Systems and Applications
Types of EUC:
This type of EUC primarily focuses on mobile hardware platforms (such as
smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches) and the software they can use (such as apps and widgets)
Smartphones and Wearables
Types of EUC:
This type of EUC gives priority to mobility and connectivity regardless of
platform, and is commonly offered as a service and not as an actual application. Examples of this are e-mail, instant
messaging, and cloud storage
Mobile, Web, and Cloud Applications
Types of EUC:
This type of EUC further enhances mobility and connectivity through the
development of online, cloud-based computing solutions commonly offered “as-a-service” (as opposed to solutions
offered “as-a-product”), which eliminates the need for hardware and software specifications (thus popularizing the
“Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) trend). Examples of this are virtual workplace suites (such as Microsoft Office 365).
Virtual Desktops and Application
Benefits of EUC:
by allows end-users to create their information system solutions, an organization can
empower its members by giving them skills to create viable systems solutions.
Empowerment of end-users
is a practice in EUC that allows end-users to develop their information systems, usually with the support of IT
professionals and professional systems developers.
End User Development
Benefits of EUC:
through the use of information systems, for, and
by end-users, the productivity of certain aspects of an organization may increase via process streamlining and/or
automation
Enhanced productivity of professional and white-collar workers
Benefits of EUC:
by involving end-users, who are mainly people
who handle business processes, application development for specific processes may improve them, primarily by
revising the steps that make the process, or even eliminating some steps to make it easier and effective.
Reduction/Elimination of unnecessary steps on business processes
Benefits of EUC:
by equipping end-users with software training tools, the involvement
of DP professionals on some levels of an organization can be lessened, therefore minimizing the need for additional
IT human resources
Overcoming the shortage of DP professionals
Benefits of EUC:
Since end-users aren’t programmers, the information system
solutions they develop can be simple.
Provision of user-friendly and responsive systems
Benefits of EUC:
System
implementation has always been a significant problem for developers. If users develop their systems, the
implementation problem goes away.
Overcoming the implementation problems for applications by transferring this process to the user
Rish of EUC:
Poorly trained end-users often are incapable of correctly analyzing data or systems. The resulting
software is, therefore, usually of questionable quality.
Errors in analysis
Rish of EUC:
Most end-users are not trained in formal techniques of analysis and design. Documentation
is often inadequate or even non-existent, making maintenance difficult and expensive.
Lack of documentation
Rish of EUC:
Many Decision Support Systems (DSS) rely on corporate models developed by End-users for use with
spreadsheets. Recent research has indicated that as many as 38% of these spreadsheets may contain errors
Faulty Model
Rish of EUC:
Since end-user developed software may not go through the implementation of
security measures, and because end-users are given computing assets for development, organization data or even
the actual software itself may be at risk of being manipulated and/or stolen.
Possible Security/Piracy Issue
EUC Tools Classes:
these are pre-written software packages that are marketed commercially. They support
standard business functions such as payroll, ledgers, scheduling, inventory control, etc. Most of them are
customizable via key parameters. A typical example would be the Microsoft Office Suite.
Application
EUC Tools Classes:
these are programming languages that allow end-users to develop
their computing solutions and even consolidate them together to form a small information system.
Fourth-Generation Programming Languages
EU SYSTEM TOOL:
word processing, desktop publishing, web-publishing, presentation software,
document management systems, work-flow management systems;
Text and Multimedia Handling Tools
EU SYSTEM TOOL:
spreadsheets, statistical packages, decision support systems, databases;
Data Handling Tools
EU SYSTEM TOOL:
e-mail, voice over IP (VoIP), fax, WAP, pagers;
Communication Tools
EU SYSTEM TOOL:
teleconferencing, virtual workspaces/desktops;
Group Systems / Computer Supported Collaborative Work
EU SYSTEM TOOL:
diary management, electronic notebooks, directories, project management tools,
personal digital assistants, Bluetooth;
Office Automation Tools
