Enduser computing

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End-User Computing (EUC)
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End-User Computing (EUC)

• The main objective in introducing this topic is
  to ensure that you understand the vital role that
  the concept of EUC can play in the strategic
  management of organisations if it is managed
  effectively, and the enormous damage it can do if
  it is not.
• Traditionally, the only people who had direct
  contact with computers were the systems
  professionals (programmers, systems analysts
  etc.). The introduction of personal computers,
  terminals, networks, user-friendly software,
  databases has altered the position dramatically
  and has led to the growth of end-user computing.

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What is EUC?

• EUC Definition
• EUC is an environment in which the user has free
  control and latitude over the process. He may use
  data that is interchanged through the mainframe
  of the MIS division, or he may create his own
  data. But he is in control, he is responsible for
  the product and the effectiveness of the use of
  the equipment.

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End-User Development (EUD)

• specifically the practice of users developing
  their own information systems, often but not
  always with the support of professional systems
  developers.
• The practical involvement of end-users in
  application development necessitates the easy
  access to computing facilities. This may be
• timesharing on a centralised mainframe
• the use of stand alone personal computers
• the use of personal computers which are connected
  to local area networks and mainframes.

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End-User Development (EUD) (cont)

• In addition to being provided with hardware and
  software, extra facilities are a necessary
  condition of successful end-user applications
  development. In particular
• education and training on the use of software
  tools
• assistance in the technical aspects of writing,
  testing, and debugging applications
• availability of reference material
• aid in accessing the corporate database

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Why EUC?

• The major advantages attributed to EUC include
• (a) - enhanced productivity of professional and
  white-collar workers.
• (b) - overcoming the shortage of DP
  professionals.
• (c) - provision of user-friendly and responsive
  systems.
• (d) - overcoming the implementation problems by
  transferring this process to the user.
• System implementation has always been a major
  problem for developers. If users develop their
  own systems, clearly the implementation problem
  goes away.

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Who Are The End Users?

• Nonprogramming
• Command level
• End-user programmers (including senior management
  professionals)
• Functional support personnel
• End-user computing support personnel
• DP Programmers
• This list covers a very wide range of personnel
  carrying out a wide range of tasks throughout
  organisation - and the list continues to grow.

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Why are they end-users?

• When the large data processing type applications
  (payroll, inventory etc.) had been developed on
  large machines, a demand arose for Management
  Information. The users were potentially
  sophisticated professionals.
• As stated above, the traditional IS department
  development time was too long, and there is a
  shortage of trained analysts and developers.
• IS customers are often dissatisfied with the
  performance of delivered application systems
• - these systems often take so long to develop
  that organisational and/or market requirements
  have completely changed by the time they are made
  available to the users.
• - even though significant care is taken by
  trained analysts to ensure that user requirements
  are well defined, it is often the case that
  misunderstandings occur.
• - the traditional methodologies generally do not
  allow requirements to be changed during
  development, whereas in practice, the systems
  requirements are often unstable, requiring a
  flexible approach to analysis and design.
• - the very fact of the existence of a new system
  will change the environment in which that system
  exists, prompting the emergence of changing
  requirements. (Beynon-Davies et al, 1996)

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Applications Suitable for End-User Development

• Applications suitable for end-user development
  can be grouped into the following 5 categories
• One time enquiries
• Simple Reports
• Minor Changes to Reports or Enquiries
• Presentation of Data in Alternate Forms
• 'What if' Analyses

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Applications not suitable for end-user
development

• data entry involving organisation files and
  databases (where the data must be validated for
  accuracy and reliability)
• high volumes of transactions, requiring
  processing efficiency and multiple processing
  steps
• use of 'traditional' computer languages designed
  for use by professional programmers, requiring
  detailed statement of processing procedures and
  controls
• changing of data values in existing databases and
  files
• applications spanning several departments or
  divisions in the organisation
• applications requiring formal documentation
• applications requiring a long development process
• applications requiring detailed formal
  specifications.

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Identify the Risks

• Errors in analysis. Poorly trained End-users
  often are incapable of correctly analyzing data
  or systems (Davis, 1984). Resulting DS software
  is therefore often of questionable quality.
• Lack of documentation. 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. (Davis, 1984).
• Faulty Model. Many Decision Support Systems (DSS)
  rely on corporate models developed by End-users
  for use with spreadsheets. Recent research has
  indicated (Panko, 1996) that as many as 38 of
  these spreadsheets may contain errors. As these
  systems are used by senior executives as aids in
  strategic decision-making, the consequences are
  not difficult to asses

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Risks and Potential Control Mechanisms (after
Alavi and Weiss)
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End-user Computing Tools

• There are 2 major classes of end-user computing
  tools
• application packages
• fourth generation languages

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Application Packages

• These are pre-written software packages that are
  marketed commercially. They are available to
  support common business functions such as
  payroll, purchas ledger, sales ledger, production
  scheduling, inventory control etc. Many of the
  packages allow for some customisation through
  specification of key parameters (eg discount
  for prompt payment).

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Fourth Generation Programming Languages

• These languages allow users to develop their own
  computer programs and even link a series of them
  together to form a small system. These languages
  can be run on most types of computer.
• There are many classes of fourth generation
  languages
• query language/report writers
• graphics languages
• statistical analysis packages
• decision support/financial modelling tools

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References.

• Alavi M, Nelson R. R., Weiss I. R. Strategies for
  End-User Computing An Integrative Framework.
  Journal of MIS, 1988
• Beynon-Davies P., Mackay H, and Slack R. User
  Involvement in Information Systems Development
  The Problem of Finding the Right User.
  University of Glamorgan, 1996
• Danberg A. End-User Computing MIS Answers the
  Call. Computerworld, 1986
• Davis G. B. Caution User-Developed Systems Can
  Be Dangerous To Your Organisation. University of
  Minnesota, 1984
• McLean E. R. End Users as Application Developers.
  MIS Quarterly, 1979
• McClean E.R., Kappelman L.A. and Thompson J.P.
  End-User Computing Revisited Lattanze Research,
  1991
• Panko R. R. Hitting the Wall Errors in
  Developing a Simple Spreadsheet Model.
  Proceedings of the 29th Hawaii International
  Conference on System Sciences, 1996
• Rockart J. F., Flannery L. S. The Management of
  End-User Computing. ACM, 1983