In order to understand the small business IT environment, one needs first to examine the environments in large
organizations. There are two in large organizations: traditional data processing and end-user computing. Figures
1 and 2, modified from [12], represent these two.1 In the traditional DP mode, the user interacts with the
computer indirectly, through the systems staff (i.e., analysts and programmers) or through the operations staff.
In the end-user environment, the users (typically, managers and staff analysts) interact directly with the
computers through application software. They typically also have access to a support group, or an information
center [6]. In both environments, there is usually a management information systems (MIS) department. It is
normally the MIS department that deals with outside organizations, such as vendors, consultants, and education/
training firms.