End-user computing: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Systems in which users can make apps}}

{{cleanupdate|April 13}}

{{howto|date=July 2021}}

'''End-user computing''' ('''EUC''') refers to systems in which non-[[programmer]]s can create working [[Application software|application]]s.<ref name="EUC">{{cite conference | url=http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1120304 | title=End-user computing | publisher=[[Association for Computing Machinery]] | access-date=30 December 2015 | author=Goodall, Howie | book-title=CHI EA '97 CHI '97 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems | date = March 1997 | conference=ACM CHI 97 Human Factors in Computing Systems Conference | ___location=Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States of America | pages=132 | isbn=0-89791-926-2}}</ref> EUC is a group of approaches to computing that aim to better integrate [[user (computing)|end users]] into the computing environment. These approaches attempt to realize the potential for high-end computing to perform problem-solving in a trustworthy manner.<ref>McBride, Neil, "[https://www.dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/213 Towards User-Oriented control of End-User Computing in Large Organizations]"</ref><ref>Mahmood, Adam, [http://www.idea-group.com/bookseries/details.asp?id=3 Advances in End User Computing Series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070129022235/http://www.idea-group.com/bookseries/details.asp?id=3 |date=2007-01-29 }} University of Texas, USA, {{ISSN|1537-9310}}</ref>

End-user computing can range in complexity from users simply clicking a series of buttons, to citizen developers<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gartner.com/en/information-technology/glossary/citizen-developer|title=Definition of Citizen Developer - Gartner Information Technology Glossary}}</ref> writing scripts in a controlled [[scripting language]], to being able to modify and execute code directly.

'''End User Computing''' can mean several things. However, given the intertwining of [[computation]] into all advanced disciplines, any tool (inclusive of any type of capability related to a ___domain/discipline) that is provided by a computer becomes part of the discipline (methodology, etc.).

Examples of end-user computing are systems built using [[fourth-generation programming language]]s, such as [[MAPPER]] or [[SQL]], or one of the [[fifth-generation programming language]]s, such as [[ICAD (software)|ICAD]].

As such, the issue arises about how open the tool is to scrutiny. Some disciplines require more understanding of the tool set than do others. That is, tools that are [[operational]] in scope require less understanding than those that are [[ontological]]. As an example of the latter type of influence on disciplines, consider the impact that the computer has had on the [[Scientific_method#Computational_approaches|scientific method]].

==Factors==

Some of the issues related to End User Computing concern architecture (iconic versus language interface, open versus closed, ...). These continue to be studied.

Factors contributing to the need for further EUC research include [[knowledge]] processing, [[pervasive computing]], issues of [[upper ontology|ontology]], [[interactive visualization]], and the like.

Some of the issues related to end-user computing concern [[software architecture]] ([[Graphical user interface|iconic]] versus language interfaces, open versus closed,{{clarify|date=July 2013}} and others). Other issues relate to [[intellectual property]], configuration and maintenance. End-user computing allows more user-input into system affairs that can range from [[personalization]] to full-fledged ownership of a system.

Other issues relate to IP, configuration, maintenance, ...

==EUC strategy==

End User Computing has a range of forms and values. Most early computer systems were tightly controlled by an IT department. Users were just that. The advent of the personal workstation opened up the door, so to speak.

EUC applications should not be evolved by accident, but there should be a defined EUC strategy.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} Any [[Application Architecture]] Strategy / IT Strategy should consider the white spaces in automation (enterprise functionality not automated by [[Enterprise resource planning|ERP]] / [[Enterprise Grade Applications]]). These are the potential areas where EUC can play a major role.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}} Then ASSIMPLER parameters{{which|date=May 2016}} should be applied{{by whom|date=May 2016}} to these white spaces to develop the EUC strategy. (ASSIMPLER stands for availability, scalability, security, interoperability, maintainability, performance, low [[cost of ownership]], extendibility and reliability.<ref>

Compare: {{cite web

|last1= Vanarse|first1= Mandar|title= Business Value Assurance during the transformation journey.

|url= http://www.wipro.com/documents/business-value-assurance-during-the-transformation-journey.pdf

|website= Wipro|publisher= Wipro Limited|access-date= 26 July 2015

| quote = How should the business services be designed in terms of availability, security, scalability, interoperability, maintenance, performance, lower cost, extendibility and reliability (ASSIMPLER) from end consumer perspective?

}}

</ref>)

In businesses, an end-user concept gives workers more flexibility, as well as more opportunities for better productivity and creativity. However, EUC will work only when leveraged correctly. That’s why it requires a full-fledged strategy. Any strategy should include all the tools users might need to carry out their tasks and work more productively.

End User Computing allows more user input into system affairs that can range from personalization to full-fledged ownership of the system.

'''Types of EUC'''

Examples of End User Computing are [[ICAD]] (Example of the pervasive use of [[Lisp_programming_language|Lisp]] by [[Engineers]]), [[SQL]], ...

End-user computing covers a broad range of user-facing resources, including:

== Futures ==

*'''Slogan 1''': good '''End User Computing''' practices might help temper things such as the [[AI Winter]].

*'''Slogan 2''': the computational needs to wed with the phenomenal (are 'borgs' inevitable?).

* desktop and notebook computers;

== See also ==

* desktop operating systems and applications;

* scripting languages such as robotic desktop automation or RDA;

* smartphones and wearables;

* mobile, web and cloud applications;

* virtual desktops and applications<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/end-user-computing-platform-EUC-platform|title=What is end-user computing (EUC)? - Definition from WhatIs.com|website=SearchMobileComputing|language=en|access-date=2019-12-04}}</ref>

==EUC risk drivers==

* [[Software engineering]]

Business owners should understand that every user-controlled app needs to be monitored and supervised. Otherwise, organization risk facing a lot of problems and losses if end-users don’t follow company policy or leave their job. In functions such as finance, accounting and regulated activities, unmanaged EUC may expose the organization to regulatory compliance issues and fines.

* [[Scientific_method#Computational_approaches|Scientific method]]

End-user computing operating and business risks may be driven by:

==External links==

* lack of rigorous testing;

* [http://eusesconsortium.org/ EUSES Consortium, a collaboration that researches end user computing.]

* lack of version & change control;

* lack of documentation and reliance on end-user who developed it;

* lack of maintenance processes;

* lack of security;

* lack of audit trail;

* overreliance on manual controls.

==EUC risk management software==

{{comp-sci-stub}}

Many companies elect to leverage software to manage their EUC risks. Software can provide many benefits to organizations, including:

* automation of risk management activities;

* reduction in manual effort required for manual controls;

* version controls for EUC applications;

* change controls for EUC applications.

Examples of EUC risk software include:

* apparity<ref>{{cite web |title=End-user computing risk management solution of the year: Apparity |url=https://www.insuranceerm.com/content/awards/insuranceerm-annual-awards-2023-uk-and-europe/winners/end-user-computing-risk-management-solution-of-the-year-apparity.html |website=InsuranceERM |access-date=2 May 2023}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Decentralized computing]]

* [[Defensive computing]]

* [[End-user development]]

* ''[[Journal of Organizational and End User Computing]]''

* [[Knowledge-based engineering]]

* [[Situational application]]

* [[Software engineering]]

* [[Usability]]

* [[Usability engineering]]

* [[User interface]]

* [[User-centered design]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

* [http://eusesconsortium.org/ EUSES Consortium, a collaboration that researches end -user computing.]

* [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/308778531_RELATIONSHIP_BETWEEN_LEADERSHIP_AND_MORTGAGE_BANKING_END-USER_COMPUTING_EFFICIENCY Relationship Between Leadership and EUC Efficiency]

[[Category:SoftwareHuman–computer engineeringinteraction]]