The operating environment (OE) of a computer program includes parameters like the operating system and hardware. OE analysis can troubleshoot conflicts and create a standard OE for an organization, simplifying IT needs and improving functionality. However, subsets may be necessary for specialized equipment or tasks.
Every computer program or application is made to function within certain parameters. Some of these parameters, particularly in the software realm, can be narrowly defined, such as the operating system or systems the program works with. Other parameters, particularly hardware, can allow for a great deal of variation, such as the type of mouse you can use to interact with the program. The name of the collection of software on a computer at the time a program or application is being used is the operating environment for that program. Any troubleshooting related to the operation of the may require you to investigate aspects of the operating environment for conflicts or other problematic interactions.
Other than troubleshooting, the primary use of OE analysis is to create or implement a standard OE. A standard operating environment is an organizational standard, rather than a governmental or international standard. Includes the operating system and programs on the computer. Sometimes a standard operating environment may include the computer file structure, with a standardized location for each file that is the same on every corporate computer. Sometimes, but not always, it is considered to include computer hardware.
The purpose of a standard operating environment is twofold. First, it can simplify business computing needs by limiting the number of different situations and contexts that the IT team has to solve. The update can be performed universally throughout the organization, rather than on a computer-by-computer basis. Second, it can improve functionality, because any computer can be used by any employee for any task. If an employee is away and you need some information from their computer, standardization makes it easier to retrieve important files, records or emails.
There are some situations where a standard operating environment would be counterproductive and some subsets could be created. This includes situations where the needs of one department or individual are materially different from those of others. This could be the case where a department needs to interface specialized equipment, such as an electron microscope, video production equipment, or medical testing equipment, to its own computers, and it would not make sense to have all the very specialized feature computers needed for these tasks. It is also the case that computers with different specifications and software are needed for very different tasks, such as those needed for on-site inspections versus those used in an office setting.
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