An analysis to ascertain which electronic data processing (EDP) systems are most flexible in processing wide ranges of volumes efficiently. A simulation model of the job environment of three common EDP systems provides information on the shape of their cost functions in the neighborhood of optimality. (Author/LS)

This report gives a managerial overview of the Life Cycle Cost Impact Modeling System (LCCIM), which was designed to provide the Air Force with an in-house capability of assessing the life cycle cost impact of weapon system design alternatives. LCCIM consists of computer programs and the analyses which the user must perform to generate input data.…

A guideline to aid business officials who are contemplating or engaged in computerization. (Author)

In this study the advantages and problems involved in using Generalized Data Management Systems (GDMS) to expand the capabilities of information retrieval (IR) systems are investigated. In particular, the design of a Data Manager-1 (DM-1) based system for the Reliability Analysis Center (RAC) at Griffiss AFB, Rome, New York is studied. A design…

Cost effectiveness of the QUERY program for searching the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) data base has been an important issue at Auburn University. At least two broad categories of costs are associated with information retrieval from a data base such as ERIC: fixed costs or overhead and data base associated costs. The concern at…

Article on computer technology and college libraries reprinted from College and Research Libraries, May 1971. (IR)

Outline of basic requirements needed to outfit a small public library with microcomputers discusses necessary equipment, cost effectiveness, management information systems, statistics generated, software available, and library procedures to be automated. Fifteen references are cited. (EJS)

Describes a system for payroll reporting from geographically disparate locations in which data is entered, edited, and verified locally on minicomputers and then uploaded to a central computer for the standard payroll process. Communications and hardware, time-reporting software, data input techniques, system implementation, and its advantages are…

Four major discussions are presented related to economic issues involved with property rights as applied to computer software and data bases. The first discussion qualitatively compares the relative incentives to computer software producers found in alternative regimes of copyright and trade secrecy. The latter is found to have certain…

This report delineates the theory and terminology of data compression. It surveys four data compression methods--null suppression, pattern substitution, statistical encoding, and telemetry compression--and relates them to a standard statistical coding problem, i.e., the noiseless coding problem. The well defined solution to that problem can serve…

The objective of the study was to evaluate (1) the needs and resources available to local school districts in data processing; (2) the needs and resources available for regional data processing centers; and (3) the types of services, including programing packages, that would be offered by the regional data processing centers. The study analyzed…

Five considerations of a comprehensive configuration to carry out computer-based instructional management are described. Included are data communications networks, loading/distribution of data processing operations and Instructional Management System functions, response time, computer software, and flexibility. The need for such a configuration is…

Characteristics of student financial aid systems are reported and a framework for evaluating student financial aid systems and classifying major data processing designs is presented. The goals of a student financial aid system are discussed, including improved service to students, increased utilization of available funds, compliance with…

Goodwill Industries of America, Inc. developed a management information system designed to provide rehabilitation workshop managers with information needed to make sound administrative decisions, statistics to measure the outcome of these decisions in terms of service to the handicapped, and the financial resources needed to deliver the services.…