AN is department dealing with end-user computing: a case study

This case study describe the rise of end-user computing at a marketing department. To deal with time rapidly changing environment, the IS department selected a strategy of mastering, in the same way it always mastered new applications of information technology. However, this strategy was unsuccessful. The IS department has failed to control, or even lead the rise of end-user computing. It became engaged in a struggle with the users, which it was bound to lose. It lost initiative its knowledge monopoly, and finally control to the end-users. The IS department failed to find a new balance between meeting user requirements and pursuing its own goals, which were mainly related to typical IS-topics as compatibility of hardware and software, preventing data redundancy, maintaining integrity and consistency of data , etc. The conclusion of this case study is that in order to find a successful strategy it is essential that the IS department is aware of its role in the organization. In most organizations this will be limited to a supporting one. This clarifies the necessity to find a balance between IS related goals and meeting user requirements.