The Benefits and Limitations of End-User Computing

End-user computing (EUC) describes computer platforms and technologies that assist non-programmers in developing applications. It comprises client access to corporate data and apps from any place, at any time, through one or more devices to connect to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) that is either on-site at the company or available in the cloud. EUC supports a wide variety of client devices, including standard PCs, tablets, smartphones, and thin-client terminal devices.

End-user computing devices can be given by the organization or brought in by workers or other users as bring-your-own-device (BYOD). Enterprise IT infrastructure is often needed for end-user computing to handle the online desktop "sessions" that are established when a user registers in and executes the apps. The back-end system comprises servers, highly efficient storage, like a flash, to hold the desktop session visuals, and enough networking and storage to support the anticipated number of concurrent and overall sessions.

Crucial to the success of an end-user computing program depends on making the system features available to administrators and people with no systems know-how, which enables a more seamless rollout of emerging innovations to end users. Due to the variety of duties and responsibilities, any platform utilized to support an endeavor should be user-friendly, quick, flexible, and sustainable. These characteristics lessen the degree of skill needed to stay up with the evolving digital workplace.

What matters is that an effective EUC/VDI strategy enables individuals to use the digital services they require to be successful, whether they are working locally or remotely in the cloud.

Factors Causing the Need for End-User Computing

Both technological and social considerations drive the necessity for end-user computing in the company. The top five factors listed by Forbes are:

● Mobility: Before Covid-19 forcibly removed numerous people from their places of employment, skilled workers were increasingly likely to work remotely, primarily at their homes, using a variety of gadgets. Not only was IT under pressure to handle the corporation computers and cellphones from remote areas, but users also introduced BYOD devices like tablets to the fray, which made endpoint management even more difficult.
● OS Migration difficulties: The transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10 has been difficult for various enterprises, whether because of hardware incompatibilities, difficult users, or financial constraints. Even users of Windows 10 are now subject to OS upgrades that can take several hours to finish and leave customers unsure of what is going on in their computers. Adopting end-user computing and VDI is strongly advised since OS transition will never stop, and doing so will eliminate the demand to force updates. People can use computers or other devices with back-level operating systems installed with little difficulty because the only OS that truly counts is on the web server. Only fixes that address security gaps that potentially damage the organization must be handled, so users do not have to worry about several OS upgrades per year that can affect the function of their devices for both business operations and leisure activities.
● Costs of application software: The cost of application software licensing generally increases with each version and is difficult to measure. Removing user software license updates can save the organization a lot of money. Still, the main benefit is not needing to verify that the user device used for end-user computing access can execute the software with the efficiency required to make users happy. Since everything is in the data center, sidelining program code to applications and services in the VDI environment allows for greater license management and a better understanding of the execution environment.
● Endpoint Security: Mobile devices are the only viable target. Several people may share it, but it is simple to lose or steal and is not governed by company networks or rules. To keep those attacks out of the cloud server, all EUC devices ought to have encryption built into the operating system, be virus-protected, and have two-factor security features like biometrics or requiring a text message to be delivered to a secure contact before the device is verified.
● Management considerations for End-User Computing: Until EUC, every additional endpoint increased the difficulty of managing IT. However, as the volume of EUC users and the devices they use grows, IT must reconsider end-user support, and EUC offers a suitable model for lowering the IT support burden.

Types of End-User Computing

Here are the most common types of end-user computing:

● Analytics: They are tools that allow users to access data, analyze it and build reports for better decision making. Various types of analytics can be developed depending on what the user wants.
● Business Rules: For example, if we are designing software for a firm and the firm wants to improve its operation with the aid of this software, we must design it in such a manner that it can benefit the business.
● Scripts: Users are provided with a variety of scripts so they can accomplish computer tasks without being familiar with script development. For instance, an office productivity suite enables people to modify many processing functions with scripts.
● Visual Programming: The computing method known as "visual programming" enables users to execute programs by just giving visuals such as menus, buttons, and other icons. The user can execute end-user computing much more easily, thanks to this.
● Artificial Intelligence: In computers for end users, artificial intelligence is crucial. To assist the user, programs try to identify things automatically.
● Mods: They are tools that enable users to modify games.

Benefits of End-User Computing

End-user computing has various advantages, such as manoeuvrability, increased efficiency, and cost saving.

End-user computing provides various advantages in terms of security. First, private information is never stored on a user's device; rather, it is constantly obtained through an application server. If appropriate authentication and authorization restrictions are set, and application passwords aren't on a sticker on the back of a phone, entry to business information is still restricted regardless of whether a stolen or lost device. In this way, since no confidential business programs or data are stored on the device itself, they do not need to be considered when creating a backup or emergency recovery strategy.

In terms of mobility, end-user computing allows staff and customers to bring their own devices (BYOD). Other than engineering hardware terminals, devices owned by staff are often more than sufficient to use business applications and deliver a positive end-user interaction.

This helps the company with a few issues. First, procuring and distributing employee devices typically becomes a customer problem rather than the company's problem. Most employees, especially those who use cell phones, prefer to select their gadgets.

Similar reasoning applies to devise support; what has been formerly an IT issue now rests on the vendor that sold the item to the end user. Mostly, IT engagement is restricted to resolving difficulties with login into distant desktop connections and with the efficiency or capability of applications.

Lastly, centralizing all administration tasks—from the setup process to user deployments to OS upgrades—reduces the administrative strain overall. Instead of distributing operating system upgrades to a series of phones, tablets, and laptops, IT can concentrate on the business of developing revenue-generating apps.

End-User Computing Challenges

Despite all the advantages of implementing end-user computing, there are drawbacks people should know about.

First, since every customer needs access to the data center, any outages of the center (whether locally or online) or the connection to it would affect many people.

A sudden increase in the number of users simultaneously can result in a bad user experience as the number of users rises unless there is enough network capacity or cloud platform to handle such growth. Increases in the level of unresponsiveness or latency can quickly cause users to get frustrated and want to find alternatives to the current corporate program.

Since complexity always entails a higher level of risk, as end-user computing applications get more sophisticated, there is a greater chance of issues with accessibility, security, or productivity. For example, it may become more difficult to guarantee that data input produced on end-user computing devices hasn't been hijacked in any manner.