An examination of information center implementation and impact

ABSTRACT

The concept of the Information Center was developed by IBM in 1976 in response to the large backlogs in applications development facing data processing departments. The concept called for a new degree of cooperation and mutual support between the end user and the data processing department. Under the Information Center concept, the end users were to assume a far greater responsibility in both defining and developing non-production data processing applications, while the data processing department would supply computer and data as well as instruction and support in utilizing these computer resources in meeting end user needs. Since that time, explosive growth in microcomputers technology, development of local area networks, advances in database systems, and increased computer literacy among the user community has enlarged demand for computer resources by non-data processing personnel. Despite the fact that large numbers of organizations have made major commitments to the implementation of Information Centers, there is little in the literature, beyond anecdotal experiences, about the key issues involved in installing an operational Information Center. This study examines the techniques used by a number of firms in the San Diego area to develop Information Centers and the impact of the Information Center concept on the organization. The paper makes the following conclusions: While there a number of similarities in approaches, as of yet, no distinct pattern of management response to the opportunities or problems created by the Information Center concept has emerged. User demands for resource access will continue to increase and many more organizations will adopt the Information Center concept. Computer science and information systems departments must re-examine their curricula and role, in light of these changing computational support environments.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization

General Terms:
Documentation