MEETING WITH FBIS REGARDING PLANS FOR THE USE OF A COMPUTER-BASED SYSTEM FOR PREPARATION OF THE DAILY REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP12-00036R000100040022-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 30, 2013
• Sequence Number: 22
• Publication Date: February 19, 1968
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/30: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100040022-3
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19 February 1968
MEMCVANDUM FCR THE RE=
SUBJECT Meeting with FBIS Regarding Plans for the Use of a
Computer-Based System for Preparation, of the Daily
Report
DATE 13 February
TIME : 10 A. N4
ATTEMDEES:
968
of FSIS
PSD/01.
? I. A proposal for this system had been completed in February
1966 by OCS. Recently, upon inquiry, it was learned that PHIS had
taken preliminary steps to implement the system. It had been in-
cluded in their Five Year Plan, and funds for equipment rental were
being included in their FY 1970 budget. The meeting was therefore
requested by PSD to coordinate plans, inasmuch as the system could
require substantial changes in the printing support of the operation
provided by PSD.
2. first gave a general description of the proposed
syitem and explained its advantages to IBIS . the principle one of
which was the automatic preparation of the paper mats whidh now re-
quire some 16 typists. Also, he stated that FMIS had been under con-
siderable pressure to get started with the system and that there had
been insufficient time to coordinate with OCS or PSD before proceeding
with the budget request. He further stated that he had not felt at
the time that TSB mould be required to make any significant changes.
3. A discussion followed regarding (a) the mechanical and man-
power restraints now imposed on the printing operation which limits
the limber of pages per book, total pages and total impressions (b)
the immediate and future needs for more wordage to be printed, and
(c) the alternative methods for providing offset masters or text pages
as described in the proposal.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/30: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100040022-3
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/30: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100040022-3
SUBJECT: Meeting with FBIS Regarding Plans for the Use of a
Computer-Based System for Preparation of the Daily
Report
I. The following facts were brought out:
a. FBIS is now forced to diacard too much text material
whie1i. is received from the field because of the limits imposed
by the present printing system. Any .future systems must pro-
vide for considerable expansion.
b. A mechanical limitation of 96 pages per book is re-
quired by the collator and an overall ceiling on pages and
impressions is necessary because of personnel restrictions.
PSD has not been able to obtain Witional staffing for FBIS
',Jerk. The only means for printing additional wordage in the
foreseeable future, therefore, would be through further auto-
mation or an increase in the number of words per page without
sacrifice in legibility.
c. In the proposed system, the only alternative method of
providing the text to PSD which would allow increased wordage
per page was the method using the Photon 713. The other alterna-
tives - the use of the 1403 line printer or 2740 terminal to
produce paper mats - cannot equal the present wordage per page
(now obtained with 14-pitch typewriters) without unacceptable
crowding of the text.
d. A preliminary study indicated that the photocomposing
approach to the FBIS publications would permit a 100 percent
increase in words per page. This approach will require an ex-
penditure of approximately $250,000 for Photons, tape drives,
? processor, remote terminal, a complete changeover in printing
operations, relocating the operation in the new plant, and use
of the large presses. It was estimate& that the job could be
done with an'equivalent number.. of personnel but Obviously with
different skills.
e. It was apparent that unless PSD is able to properly plan
and budget for support of the new system, the FBIS Five Year
Plan for automating their operations could be self-defeating as
the current FBIS plan would result in a net reduction in total
printed wordage, rather than the increase they desire.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/30: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100040022-3
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/30: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100040022-3
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SUBJECT: Meeting. with PBXS Regarding Plans for the Use of a
Computer-Eased System for Preparation of the Daily
Report
5. The Chief, PSD, indicated that PSIS plans, supported by
photocomposing in PSD coincide with current PSD efforts to modern-
ize printing operations and that the conversion of PSIS reports for
the use of computerized photocomposing will give impetus to our
progrmm for converting other Agency publications to this system.
The eqpipment obtained for production of FRES material could also
be used. for'other work. The Chief, PSD, suggested. that IBIS initiate
a memorandum describing their current plans for implementing the sys-
tem so that it could be discussed with the D/L and other concerned
Agency officials. PSD would then be in a position to respond to a
formal proposal regarding appropriate printing support which would
be required by' the plan.
6. stated that they would discuss this matter with STAT
Etee3.y, Chief, FBIZ. He also stated that they had some misgivings
about the scope editing technive required in their system. Further
conversation indicated that they may have serious3,y underestimated
the time required for the various software tasks and programming,
and they are probably three to five years away from being operational.
7. In a final discussion of what interim measures might be
taken to increase the volume of wordage, three possibilities were
ine:ationedt
a. Use of part.tine emplwees (now being Checked
b. Changes in text format.
c. Increase in paper size from 8"x14" to 8rx11".
The latter two items will be emmained with mis in the next two weeks.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/07/30: CIA-RDP12-00036R000100040022-3
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