"Rent or buy?" is a question people ask about everything from housing to textbooks. It is also a question universities must consider when it comes to high-performance computing (HPC). With the advent of Amazon's Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2), Microsoft Windows HPC Server, Rackspace's OpenStack, and other cloud-based services, researchers now have…

Discusses the advantages of parallel processor computers in terms of expandibility, cost, performance and reliability, and suggests that such computers be used in library automation systems as a cost effective approach to planning for the growth of information services and computer applications. (CLB)

The history, administration, and current operations of the Administrative Data Processing department of the University of Iowa are described. Types of equipment, budgets, and service records are mentioned. (SF)

In this information system, sponsored research information is routinely forwarded, in machine-readable form, from NIH to Columbia, to the benefit of each. The promotion of future systems development is enhanced through the adoption of standardized data element designations and definitions. (LBH)

The funds needed to acquire a complete electronic data processing system are very likely being spent already to accomplish tasks that could be performed by a resident computer faster, more satisfactorily, and with capability left over. (Author)

A summary of the final two-volume report of the Systems Development Project is contained in this document. The project was commissioned by the National Library of Canada to study and design an integrated information system for the library employing, where feasible, electronic data processing. Included are all of the recommendations of the final…

A comprehensive review of the current status, prospects, and problems of computer networking in higher education is presented from the perspectives of both computer users and network suppliers. Several areas of computer use are considered including applications for instruction, research, and administration in colleges and universities. In the…

Several ways for a comptuer services director to effectively manage the resources available for such services are discussed. Case histories from Miami-Dade Community College and other South Florida schools are included. (SF)

The feasibility of replacing existing central processing units with a single computer facility is discussed. An analysis of the computing facilities for the Iowa state universities is presented and supports the retention of decentralized facilities. Efficiency, costs, and operating considerations are examined. (SF)

The importance of cooperative development among and exchange between university information systems is discussed. Cooperative developments in the California State University and Colleges System and exchange efforts between university systems in other states are described. (Author/BH)

The impact of technical advances in computer hardware is examined. Size, cost, ease of use, expandability, and availability are discussed to help assess the impact of these advances on information systems. It is suggested that technology is making administrative computing economical and feasible. (Author/SF)

A Personnel Utilization System has been designed at Broward Community College, which combines payroll, personnel, course, and function information in order to determine the actual duties performed by personnel for the amount of remuneration received. Objectives of the system are (1) to define the tasks being performed by faculty, staff, and…

Proprietary software available to the institutional researcher is discussed. It is suggested that as more institutions use proprietary software, the institutional researcher may find that varying levels of involvement in the process of evaluating and acquiring such software can result in the availability of more useful facilities. (Author/SF)

Advancements and trends in administrative computing are discussed and their implications for management are examined. Trends in software and hardware development as well as cost and capability are also investigated. Sources of information on computer development, including publications and organizations, are listed. (Author/SF)

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…