End User System For Clean It services - Assignment Example

?End User Computing By Presented to June 3, End User Computing Introduction End user computing is a system whereby computer applications are created by non-experts i.e. non-programmers using simple and easy to understand tools (Mahmood, 2003). End User computing is aimed at better integrating the end users of certain computer programs into computing environment. This type of approaches is ultimately purposed to realize high end computing being performed in an exceptionally secure and trustworthy environment in solving extremely complex problems. Expert’s roles are providing users with easy to use tools which enables enable them develop their own applications and reports and at the same time serve as technical consultants on the same applications they had developed (Panko, 1988). Some of the examples of end user computing systems are; fifth generation programming languages e.g. ICAD and fourth generation programming languages such as SQL and MAPPER. The development of high powered desktop computer and simple user friendly programming languages has prompted the computer programmers to assign the program development and the actual computing to the end users. This implies that instead of a centralized group of programmers developing an application completely, the user utilizes the tools provided by the programmer to develop a program or an application suited to his/her needs. There are two main approaches of End User Computing sections which are at different ends of a spectrum. The first is an approach in which the user is presented with queries and reports and invoked with simple commands and / or buttons. Secondly, the SQL administrators allow for end user involvement in various levels of computing which include the administration. Further research in End user computing is propelled by the need for interactive visualization, issues of ontology, pervasive computing and knowledge processing. The approaches connoted earlier together with the needs for the further research all attempt at centralizing human user interface into an understandable design. End User Computing in Small Businesses Small businesses are characterized by the unavailability of information system support and expertize. This is attributed to the complexity and high costs of the information management systems. Consequently, end user computing manifests itself due to the lack of IS, complexity and high cost of information system support (End-user computing: the adoption of an intellectual technology in corporate settings, 1988). In small businesses, there is a wide variety of application software that employs the system of end User Computing. These are word processors, web browsers, Electronic mails, Instant messaging, spreadsheets, database management systems, graphics, desktop publishing and website development. Spreadsheets are the backbone of each and every business, whether small or large. One of the most used spreadsheet application is the one contained in Microsoft Office package / suite called MS Excel. This application has the power to assist clerical, managerial, and administrative employees in handling large numerical data they experience each day. MS excel after customization using end user computing systems is used efficiently in preparing sales reports, budgets, financial statements, forecasts, and includes all other reports in which the data is able to be organized into rows and columns. Development of end user system by the user ensures that the above stated activities are manipulated easily by non-experts in using the specific applications. Since the application is developed at the business premises, there is reduced cost and at the same time high output and efficiency from the developed application. On the hand, MS Access is used in database management. This is a tremendously powerful tool in organizing data in any given database. Considering that database management is an extraordinarily complex activity which is prone to mismanagement in case of inexperienced and non-expert users, end user systems are used to solve this problem. For instance, a user form can be created to enable the user enter data into a database. This will limit the user’s access to the other information in the database thus enhancing the security of the database. Advantages of Using MS Access Using MS access to build an invoice is much better as compared to using MS excel. This is attributed to the less complexity; fast development and exceptionally clean program as compared to MS excel which is sophisticated and time consuming. MS access is essential since it ensures security of data in the database by safeguarding it against unauthorized access. In the case of Clean It services, there is the ability to prevent the content of the invoice from being accessed by unauthorized personnel. MS Access also enables an organization of data for easy access, retrieval and manipulation of records, this enables necessary changes to record thus ensuring clean and an eye- appealing document, this software also allows the user to easily add or delete unwanted records. Advantages of Using Microsoft Excel MS excel, on the other hand, is also useful as it utilizes the powerful aspects of the computer such as accuracy, speed and efficiency thus enabling the user to tremendously reduce the time taken to accomplish a given task. MS excel may also be used to create the invoice. MS excel is also suitable for invoice development since it enables the user produce neat work. Finally, MS excel offers a longer virtual sheet for data entry and manipulation, for example, the ledger paper. Ledger you can get in one that does not exceed 30 columns and 51 rows, while with an electronic spread sheet, the least ledger has at least 255 columns and 255 rows. Disadvantages of MS Access Creating entity relationship, query structures, macros and modules is time consuming and longtime process and therefore creating an invoice can to some extend have side effects which will prolong some activities. In case of record redundancy /duplication of records, the entire invoice can come to a halt thereby affecting the efficiency of the invoice. DISADVANTAGES OF MS EXCEL Microsoft excel does not filter the in the system entity- object relationship, this therefore catalyzes massive duplication of records which is also accompanied by rampant deletion of the records. To a higher extend, Microsoft excel consumes much time as compared to Microsoft access because creation of formulae, functions and other arithmetic functions is time consuming. Microsoft excel also does not give a comprehensive analysis of objects and items on the graphs and also pie-charts (Clarke, 2008). Works Cited Clarke, S. (2008) End-user computing: concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications, 4th edition, Information Science Reference. End-user computing: the adoption of an intellectual technology in corporate settings (1988), Drexel University. Mahmood, A. (2003) Advanced Topics in End User Computing, Idea Group Inc (IGI). Panko, R. (1988) End user computing: management, applications, and technology, Wiley. Read More