End-User Computing Defined 

End-user computing is a big market, and it’s growing each day. Essentially, it’s any device people use to interact with their software applications. These include phones, laptops, desktops, tablets, and wearables.  The primary components of end-user computing are the applications, hardware, operating system, and network infrastructure required to support a user’s computing needs. Traditionally, IT departments manage these components.  Today, however, people use their own machines and buy applications from app stores to complete enterprise tasks. This trend is called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). And it’s forcing companies to adopt new ways of thinking about end-user computing.  What Is End-User Computing?  End-user computing (EUC) refers to technologies and practices that allow users to access and interact with enterprise applications from virtually any device, both inside and outside an organization’s network.  By reducing or eliminating dependence on central IT departments for software updates, EUC increases a company’s flexibility regarding when and where employees can access information. The term was recently associated with cloud-based solutions as opposed to older client/server models.  With end-user computing, we can: 

• Help children learn how to write by making math fun through game-like experiences 

• Help elderly parents navigate life by giving them access to some basic information and running errands for them 
• Aid disabled loved ones with daily tasks like connecting with friends and family. Further, taking care of errands they could not complete themselves. 

How End-User Computing Works  The primary role of end-user computing is to allow users access to applications, files, and data. Companies can deploy software (like Microsoft Office) to multiple computers through end-user computing. In a sense, it’s a hub to ensure that your organization has up-to-date software in place on all computers and servers.  This helps ensure that employees have what they need to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. Additionally, end-user computing helps businesses in the following ways: 

• It allows employees to access programs from any computer, regardless of location or time zone. End-user computing helps increase employee productivity by allowing them to work from home or on vacation—wherever they are most comfortable. 
• It also allows businesses to save money on office space, as workers no longer need designated desks at headquarters. With end-user computing, employees can work remotely whenever necessary. 
• With EUC, your business can create cloud-based applications that update in real-time and with accessibility from any device with a browser. There’s no need for third-party plugins or add-ons so that users can experience a seamless environment across all devices. 
• End-user computing also helps organizations cut costs by eliminating redundant hardware and software license purchases. 
• End-user computing manages licenses through a centralized system so that each worker only needs one license per application. For example, there’s no need for every worker to buy their own copy of Microsoft Word. 

• Lastly, end-user computing makes it easier for employees to share information. For instance, if an employee sends an email with a file attached to 10 coworkers, those 10 coworkers will all receive a copy of that file without downloading it individually. That means less wasted time and effort spent downloading attachments manually—and more time spent working productively! 

Career Paths Within End-User Computing  When you’re just starting in the world of EUC, you might be wondering what career paths are available and what kind of work goes on behind the scenes.  The good news for someone who wants to enter this industry deeply is that you can have many different roles. You can be on the design side or develop new ideas for devices that help people work better.  You can build actual software or even help those who go through testing and usability research. Or, if you’re more of a support person, you can help these users troubleshoot issues with their devices or software through customer support or remote access to their devices.  Here are some of the career paths you could take in end-user Computing:  EUC Technical Support  Support for EUC technologies is a team effort between many different groups. This includes Client Computing, Onsite Services, Service Operations, and Remote Services.  Teams that support EUC technologies provide support over the phone or through chat sessions with associates to fix technical issues throughout their day.  This role attracts those interested in learning more about associated technologies and providing support to associates who use them.  Technical Architecture  A technical architect designs, plans, and leads the development of an IT project or solution. This role requires both business and technical skills, so if you’re interested in this area, you’ll need to learn how to understand both aspects.  You’ll need to know how to talk with business people to find out what they want and turn that into a technical design that works for them. You may also need to manage other technical staff working together on the same project.  Project Management    As a project manager, you would be responsible for taking an idea from inception through delivery by managing the people and resources involved in the work.  This role requires pretty strong leadership and communication skills. Also, it requires an understanding of how technology works—or at least how to use it to solve business problems.   You wouldn’t necessarily have to be hands-on with the technology itself. But you’d have to understand what your team does well enough to manage its roles.  Pathway to Becoming a EUC Professional  If you’re interested in IT, it can be daunting to know how to break into the industry. You might wonder how to get your foot in the door without prior experience. The good news is that there are a few options available to you, one of which is enrolling in an apprenticeship program.  Most U.S.-based apprenticeships are paid and on-the-job, and they allow you to learn while doing the job. You’ll receive classroom instruction and hands-on coaching as you work full-time for a company in your desired field.  When you’re ready to begin the journey and new career, Apprentice Now is here to help connect you with an employer. With many different opportunities to match with, you can start your journey to a career in tech today!