Electronic Performance: Support Systems

An electronic performance support system (EPSS) generally refers to an online help system, or electronic job aid. Providing context-sensitive help-on-demand, EPSS is integrated with many computer applications. In some cases the help (performance support) is personified through an expert advisor or online wizard, and in this sense is similar to the so-called expert systems of artificial intelligence. EPSS is now generally referred to in the short form of "performance support." It is often a subset or feature of knowledge management systems.

Fastpaths

1989	AT&T launches the first EPSS system, an online help system to support employees in outlining and writing tests.
1991	Gloria Gery: Electronic Performance Support Systems. Gery's text helped found the "online help" movement of the 1990s. Gery's book describes case studies of EPSS systems.

See also Job Aids Knowledge Management