End-User Computing (EUC)

End-User Computing (EUC)

• Computer systems and platforms allow non-programmers (end-users) to create working applications and outputs
• EUC helps end-users control their computing environment without programmers.
• Encompasses all computer uses by end-users for whom programmers develop.

Types of EUC

• Desktop and Laptop Computers: Common hardware aspect of an EUC solution, customizable for end-user specifications.
• Desktop Operating Systems and Applications: Software aspect, packaged with an OS or sold/developed separately
  • Examples include Windows System and Administrator Tools and Application Suites like Microsoft Office and Adobe Master Collection.
• Smartphones and Wearables: Focuses on mobile hardware platforms and usable software (apps/widgets).
• Mobile, Web, and Cloud Applications: Prioritizes mobility and connectivity, offered as a service
  • Examples include e-mail, instant messaging, and cloud storage.
• Virtual Desktops and Application: Enhances mobility and connectivity via online, cloud-based computing "as-a-service."
  • Eliminates hardware/software specifications, popularizing BYOD
  • Examples include virtual workplace suites like Microsoft Office 365.

End-User Development (EUD)

• EUD is the practice where end-users develop their own information systems, supported by IT professionals.
• End-users get access to computing facilities, networks, Internet, data access, and training.

Benefits of End-User Computing

• Enhances productivity for professional and white-collar workers.
• Empowers end-users to create information system solutions, developing new skills.
• Reduces/Eliminates business process steps by revising or eliminating steps to make processes easier and more effective.
• Overcomes DP shortages by equipping end-users with software training tools.
• Provides user-friendly and responsive systems due to direct end-user involvement.
• System implementations are improved by transferring the process to the user.

Risks of End-User Computing

• Errors in analysis are possible, as poorly trained end-users may incorrectly analyze data or systems.
• Lack of documentation is a risk, as most end-users aren't trained in analysis and design.
• Faulty Models can occur if Decision Support Systems rely on end-user-developed corporate models in spreadsheets.
• Security/Piracy issues can arise because end-user software may lack security measures.

End-User Computing Tools

• Application Packages: Pre-written, commercially marketed software that supports standard business functions
  • Examples include payroll, ledgers, and inventory control with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Fourth-Generation Programming Languages: Allow end-users to develop and consolidate computing solutions.
  • Example is SQL for managing databases.

End-User Systems Tools

• Text and Multimedia Handling Tools: Word processing, desktop publishing, presentation software, and document management.
• Data Handling Tools: Spreadsheets, statistical packages, decision support systems, and databases.
• Communication Tools: E-mail, VoIP, fax, and pagers.
• Office Automation Tools: Diary management, electronic notebooks, project management, PDAs, and Bluetooth.
• Group Systems / Computer Supported Collaborative Work: Teleconferencing and virtual workspaces.
• Graphic Design: Graphic software and computer-aided design.
• Knowledge Management: Expert systems, data mining, and information retrieval.

Office Automation

• Complete integration of basic office requirements within an organization to avoid duplicated effort or resources
• Includes word processing, electronic data filing, diary management, and communications.

Office Information System (OIS)

• Uses software, hardware, and networking to improve workflow/communication
• Supports business office activities for management and workforce efficiency.
• Systems evolve and automate, increasing their flexibility and effectiveness.
• Facilitates electronic communication via e-mail and instant messaging.
• Manages audio-video communication via telephony/teleconference or prompt directory systems.
• Facilitates record management via databases and/or data servers.
• Automates business-specific processes, reducing manpower.
• Provides EUC to enhance end-user efficiency.

Applications of Office Automation

• Functions: Operations activated by function keys/sequences
  • Examples: Cut, Copy, Delete, Move, Search, Calculate, Change Font, and Print.
• Software Packages: Bundled applications that interact with system resources
  • Functionality includes textual document production, spreadsheets, and data presentation
  • Examples include Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs.
• Process Software: Individual or bundled software that provide specific capabilities
  • Examples: Database management, desktop publishing, computer-assisted design, Autodesk AutoCAD
• Word Processing: Software for developing, formatting, modifying, and printing electronic textual documents
  • Examples: Notepad and Microsoft Word
• Electronic Spreadsheet: Software for accounting and financial tasks
  • Designed for maintaining, manipulating, and calculating numerical data
  • Provides formulas, functions, and commands
  • Example: Microsoft Excel.
• Database Management: Software for organized electronic information storage, rearrangement, search, and display
  • Examples: Microsoft Access and MySQL
• Desktop Publishing: Used to lay out text, graphics, and pictures on a page
  • Tasks include the integration of text and graphics and manipulating type styles and sizes.
• Graphics Design: Software allows creation of charts/graphs based on spreadsheet data or direct user input.
  • Includes options to switch between different presentation formats.
  • Examples include Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Photoshop.
• Project Management: Software to identify tasks, relationships, resources, and project time requirements
  • Allows for planning, tracking, and reporting.
• Calendar: Used to schedule events, manage "to do" lists, and record time on projects
  • Integrated across platforms and system for automation.
• Electronic Communication: Permits sending information through computer communication links, such as designated distribution lists - Example is Microsoft Outlook.

Electronic Communication Systems

• Provides fast and inexpensive communication using telephony, hardware, networks, and the Internet.

Types of Electronic Communication Systems

• Synchronous systems require members to be available at the same time to communicate
  • Examples include chat rooms, instant messaging, and audio/video teleconferencing.
• Asynchronous systems do not require simultaneous availability.
  • Examples include forums, email, and online bulletin boards.

Electronic Conferencing

• Synchronous component encouraging collaboration between organization members
• Uses Internet technologies to broaden coverage and eliminate physical locations.

Types of Electronic Conferencing

• Point-to-Point: Involves two members, similar to phone calls.
• Multipoint: Involves multiple members, using a network hub for simultaneous collaboration.

Electronic Meeting System

• Component assisting meeting creation, organization, and facilitation
• Can be synchronous or asynchronous with multiple tools.

Electronic Discussion

• Used to facilitate textual or non-textual discussion with electronic medium
• Can be categorized by time or availability but also by how information if received.

Types of Electronic Discussion

• "Pull" Technologies: User-required action to access discussion
  • Example: Login features on online forums.
• "Push" Technologies: Discussion presented to user automatically, whether with or without obligation for the user.

Electronic Publishing

• Used to digitally publish textual material and other readable information for devices with an electronic screen.

Electronic Publishing Examples

• Portable Electronic Media: Use of physical storage, such as CDs/DVDs/BDs and flash drives.
• Electronic Versions of Traditional Media: Converts paper-based media to digital formats like PDF documents, E-books, online publications, and newspapers.
• New Media: Relies wholly on the Internet to reach its audience via blogs/vlogs and digital publication platforms.
• Online Collaboration and Sharing: Emphasizes Internet connectivity and collaboration via podcasts, software, and cloud sharing.

Benefits of Electronic Publishing

• It is paperless and environmentally friendly.
• Offers portability and easy storage.
• Permits digital distribution over the Internet.
• Serves as a vector for business models, such as subscriptions to online magazines, pay-per-view, and online advertising.

Risks of Electronic Publishing

• Security issues, solved by encryption but that can also overcomplicate the system.
• Plagiarism results from use of digital contact being stolen, this can be mitigated by using digital watermarks.
• Public opinion on business models may be negative due to the expectation for free content

Telecommunication

• Sharing information over a distance, giving a broad reach using telephony, fax, e-mail, and the Internet

Types of Telecommunication

• Internal, Downward: Information cascaded from managers to departments, the example is a memo from executives.
• Internal, Upward: Information sent from subordinates up to the managerial/executive level.
  • Example: budget approval by a finance employee.
• Internal, Lateral: Communication between co-workers or members, including cross-department efforts
  • Example: email correspondence between employees.
• External: Any telecommunication outside the business, mostly dealing with customers, prospects, or partners
  • Example: documents for a business pitch.

Networking

• Methods a business uses to disseminate information
• Communication connectivity that streamlines processes

Types of Telecommunication Networks

• Using network topologies while following different types of information distribution topologies.
• Wheel Network: Only one member can send/receive communication (someone managerial/executive), which makes it direct and efficient but doesn't account for misinformation.
• Chain Network: Communication happens in a set sequence, following an organizational hierarchy to ensure quality control but may cause misinformation, due to the longer communication chain.
• Circle Network: Has a three-level hierarchy and promotes cross-communication for collaboration but can cause information to move slowly and be distorted.
• Star Network (All-Channel): Each member can communicate, this allows participation and or collaboration that has little to no disadvantages.

E-Business

• Organizational system in an enterprise uses electronic technologies/resources
• Aims at the efficient execution of activities, from selling products to customer services, and involves IT and the Internet

Benefits of Using E-Business

• Operation Cost Reduction by applying telecommunications/networking, this automates processes and allows convenient technologies like email, saving on charges for traditional means of communication.
• Customer Service Efficiency is achieved by applying e-business technology to improve customer service for its reach, speed and reliability.
• Wider Market Access uses a broader reach to a target market to tailor their processes, enterprises can center marketing locally or internationally.

Possible Applications of E-Business Solutions

• Internet Business Models: Websites enable conduct of business with variety of targets locally, nationally, or globally.
• Customer-Centered Retailing: Incorporate reviews leading to reintermediation, introducing other customers and businesses as middlemen.
• E-Commerce Support Systems: Backend services from other enterprises, such as credit-card processing or e-payment systems, can occur.

Transaction Processing System (TPS)

• Early computerized systems record, process, validate, and store transactions for future retrieval or use.
• Records company transactions
• Processes data resulting from business transactions.

Types of Transactions

• Internal: Done internally for any organization, usually dealing with internal processes.
  • Examples: Recruitment Policy Systems and Approval Systems.
• External: External to organization and related to external sources.
  • Examples: Purchasing Systems and Sales systems.

Characteristics of TPS

• Can record internal and external company transactions and is frequently accessed by other systems.
• Performs routine, repetitive tasks used by lower-level managers.
• Transactions can be recorded in batch or online
  • Batch mode updates files periodically
  • Online mode records each transaction as it occurs.
• Performs six processes: Data entry, validation, data processing/revalidation, storage, output generation, and query support.

Processes of TPS

• Data Entry: Transaction data entered via devices like keyboards and mouses
  • Source documents are input data at the point of transaction
  • Example: Sales receipts when customers return items.
• Data Capture: A data entry subprocess of capturing transaction date as close as possible to the source that generates it
  • Managers capture supermarket data.
• Data Validation steps include error detection and error correction, fonts, aberrations, missing data, invalid, and inconsistent data.
• Data Processing is done online (almost instantaneous) or in batch mode (accumulated over time), which process/revalidate data.
• Data Storage ensures Processed data must be carefully and properly stored and is critical as value decreases if stored wrong.
• Output Generation communicates data to decision-makers with documents/reports and forms.
• Query Support allows users to retrieve previously stored data by giving proper retrieval queries.

Operational Information System

• Records, processes, and reports all routine and repetitive organizational activities occurring across various departments.

Advantages of Using Operational Information Systems

• Reduced Cost due to the system’s capacity to streamline processes
• Increased Speed through automation
• Increased Accuracy that reduces human error.
• Increased Customer Service through streamlining
• Increased Data for Decision Making through the generation of data.