PROPOSED PROJECT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP73T00325R000100080004-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 9, 2008
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: August 4, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2008/06/09: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100080004-1
MEMORANDUM FOR: 4 e- e-
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 Approved For Release 2008/06/09: CIA-RDP73T00325R000100080004-1
4 August 1971
PC
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Plans & Programs Division/PPBS
SUBJECT : Proposed Project
1. I am aware that several people are looking into various
aspects of the MIS to consider ways of improving it. The project I O. -
proposing would take a very broad. look at the MIS and would not be
duplicative of any of the other efforts. In the long run, however,
it may change or void some of these other specific efforts.,
2. My proposal is to conduct a study that would.answer some
of the following questions:
a. Must the MIS be served by.the Central computer System
or would it be better to have a small computer dedicated
specifically to the MIS?
b. Is there an application in the MIS for the newer
direct data collection devices such as Optical Character
reader (OCR), Mark Character readers.(MCR), key to tape, etc.?
c. Would some of the small business machines with
storage and memory capacity (NCR, Burroughs, etc:) be able
to handle the MIS computer needs? Are forms and programs,
available with these machines, applicable to4he MIS?
d. Could most of the paper outputs now generated for the
e. What would the effects of the above charges be on MIS
costs?
MIS be replaced by display type inquiry response
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SUBJECT: Proposed Projects
f. Can the MIS profitably be expanded to include all
elements of the Center that must be monitored by management?
(See attachment)
g. To what extent can the system be de-centralized
(i.e., collection of data managed by groups for their own use
but fed into Center-wide file)?
3. My approach to this project would be:
a. Review the State-of-the-Art via:
(1) Visits to on-going systems f
"(2) Attendance at conferences, seminars, etc.
? (3) _hiteratuxe _
(4) Discussions with computer people.
b. Conduct a thorough investigation of the hardware market
particularly in the areas of:
(1) Data Collection (input) devices
(2) Business-type small computers
(3) Remote display and other output devices
c. Investigate software packages available with business-
type computers including standard forms.
4. My hypothesis is that a small computer dedicated solely to
management support would cost less and would do a far better job than
is possible under our present procedure. It is wasteful to continue
the MIS in its present form in which it is costing?a moderate amount
and producing very little of the information needed by management.
To upgrade the system in its -present framework will necessitate large
expenditures for progrananing and systems analyses. Presumably, even
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SUBJECT: Proposed Projects
then, the MIS would still have no better than its present step child
relationship with the Central Computers (494's). That is, it would
still have to compete with the Center's highest priority work (mission
exploitation mensuration, etc.) for computer time. Further investigation
may prove this hypothesis wrong, but, I believe it well worth the
effort to find out.
5. I think the study could be completed in 3-4 months on a
part time basis.
STAT
.r;
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