Management Information Systems - Midterm

End-User Computing (EUC)

It refers to computer systems and platforms that are meant to allow non-programmers who use computers to create working applications and outputs

• Desktop and Laptop Computers

• Desktop Operating Systems and Applications

• Smartphones and Wearables

• Mobile, Web, and Cloud Applications

• Virtual Desktops and Application

Types of EUC (5)

Desktop and Laptop Computers

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 Operating Systems and Applications

This type of EUC covers the software aspect of desktop and laptop computers

Smartphones and Wearables

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)

Mobile, Web, and Cloud Applications

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

Virtual Desktops and Application

This type of EUC further enhances mobility and connectivity through the development of online, cloud-based computing solutions commonly offered as “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)

End-User Development (EUD)

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

• Enhancing productivity of professional and white-collar workers

• Empowerment of end-user

• Reduction/Elimination of unnecessary steps on business processes

• Overcoming the shortage of DP professionals

• Provision of user-friendly and responsive systems

• Overcoming the implementation problems for applications by transferring this process to the user

Benefits of End-User Computing (6)

Enhanced productivity of professionals and white-collar workers

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

Empowerment of end-users

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

Reduction/Elimination of unnecessary steps on business processes

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

Overcoming the shortage of DP professionals

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

Provision of user-friendly and responsive systems

Since end-users aren’t programmers, the information system solutions they develop can be simple. But since end-user process involvement is also usually direct, systems solutions that they may come up with can also be beneficial

Overcoming the implementation problems for applications by transferring this process to the user

System implementation has always been a significant problem for developers. If users develop their systems, the implementation problem goes away

• Errors in analysis

• Lack of documentation

• Faulty Model

• Possible Security/Piracy Issue

Risks of End-User Computing (4)

Errors in analysis

Poorly trained end-users often are incapable of correctly analyzing data or systems. The resulting software is, therefore, usually 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

Faulty Model

Many Decision Support Systems (DSS) rely on corporate models developed by End-users for use with spreadsheets

Possible Security/Piracy Issue

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

• Application Packages

• Fourth-Generation Programming Languages

There are two (2) classes of EUC tools:

Application Packages

These are pre-written software packages that are marked commercially

Fourth-Generation Programming Languages

These are programming languages that allow end-users to develop their computing solutions and even consolidate them together to form a small information system

• Text and Multimedia Handling Tools

• Data Handling Tools

• Communication Tools

• Office Automation Tools

• Group Systems / Computer Supported Collaborative Work

• Graphic Design

• Knowledge Management

End-User Systems Tools (7)

Text and Multimedia Handling Tools

Word processing, desktop publishing, web-publishing, presentation software, document management systems, work-flow management systems

Data Handling Tools

Spreadsheets, statistical packages, decision support systems, databases

Communication Tools

E-mail, voice over IP (VoIP), fax, WAP, pagers

Office Automation Tools

Diary management, electronic notebooks, directories, project management tools, personal digital assistants, Bluetooth

Group Systems / Computer Supported Collaborative Work

Teleconferencing, virtual workspaces/desktops

Graphic Design

Graphic software, computer-aided design

Knowledge Management

Expert systems, data mining, information retrieval

Office Automation

Refers to the complete integration of basic office requirements for a department within an organization

Office Information System

Is a type of information system that uses the software, hardware, and networking to improve workflow and communication of office workers

Functions

These are operations or actions that can be performed by activating a function key or a key sequence on a workstation. Examples of such features are Cut, Copy, Delete, Move, Search, Calculate, Change Font, and Print

Software Packages

These are bundled applications that can interact with a system’s resources to perform tasks. Two (2) common examples of this type of software are the Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs

Process Software

These are software, either individual or bundled, that provide specific capabilities other than those commonly offered. An example of this is Autodesk’s AutoCAD

Word Processing

This type of software is designed for developing textual documents; it permits users to create, format, modify, and print documents electronically. Examples of this software include Notepad and Microsoft Word

Electronic Spreadsheet

This type of software is used extensively for accounting and financial purposes, and is designed for maintaining, manipulating, and calculating numerical data. A popular example of this is Microsoft Excel

Database Management

This software provides capability for organized electronic storage of information in general categories or files. Examples for this type are Microsoft Access and MySQL

Desktop Publishing

This software is used to lay out text, graphics, and pictures on a page.

Graphic Design

This software typically allows the creation of charts and graphs based on data provided through a spreadsheet or by the user directly. Examples for this type are Microsoft PowerPoint, which focuses on graphic presentations, and Adobe Photoshop, which primarily focuses on actual graphic design

Project Management

This software permits the user to identify tasks, task relationships, resources, and time requirements of a project; to manipulate that information for planning purposes; to track work progress against the plans, and to report and display information about the project in varied ways

Calendar

This software generally permits the user to schedule events on one or more calendars. Additional functions may include capabilities for such purposes as “to do” lists, short notes and reminders, and recording time spent on various projects

Electronic Communication

This type of software permits sending information to users through their computers’ communication links. Example of this type is Microsoft Outlook

Electronic Communications System

Is a type of information system that provides fast and inexpensive communication channel using available resources such as telephony, computing hardware, networks, and the internet

• Synchronous

• Asynchronous

Types of Electronic Communications Systems

Synchronous

This requires members to be available at the same time to communicate. Examples are chat rooms, instant messaging, and audio/video teleconferencing

Asynchronous

This does not require members to be available at the same time to communicate. Examples are forums, email, and online bulletin boards

Electronic Conferencing

Is a mostly synchronous component of an electronic communication system that encourages greater collaboration between organization/business