Effective service for remote computing users

Abstract

In recent years, a growing number of computing users have experienced the effects of the replacement of their local computing facilities with remote computing facilities. Unfortunately, remote computing may imply remoteness not only in the sense of distance but also in the senses of accessibility, control, compatibility, and responsiveness. The providers of computing service at the central site may be oblivious to these issues, but if remote users view any of these aspects of the service as unsatisfactory, effective service is thereby undermined.This paper addresses problems which arise as the result of the installation of remote computing service for users who had heretofore had access to local service. It is written from the point of view of management at the central site providing remote computing service in the hope that recognition of the problems of providing such service will be a step in the direction of solving them.