PROPOSED NPIC INTEGRATED INFORMATION SYSTEM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A001900020010-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 16, 2001
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: September 16, 1966
• Content Type: MF

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DECLASS REVIEW by NIMA/DOD
TCS_14233/66
16 September 1966
Copy No. -L,
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EMOR.ANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Intelligence
ATTENTION: Planning Officer
SUBJECT: Proposed NPIC Integrated Information System
REFERENCE: Deputy Director for Computer Services
Memorandum, 1 September 1966, Same
Subject (TCS-8048-66)
. In accordance with your telephone request, we have reviewed
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comments on the proposed NPIC Integrated Information
System (IIS). wor has performed a. thorough and incisive
review of the o date and the proposed conceptual design.
Unfortunately, was not fully aware of the background of
the project, which gives rise to some of his "serious doubts." In
other cases he has taken the = statements out of the proper context.
2. The requirement laid upon = was based on the major premise
that NPIC's automated information processing systems were redundant
and inefficient. This premise has been well documented by other
survey groups, for example, the Land Panel and the Inspector General's
survey. There has never been any question within NPIC's mind that a
very major improvement in NPIC's internal data processing systems
could and should be made. Consequently, = was charged with
analyzing the requirements for digitized information handling within
NPIC and with developing concepts for more efficient and effective
handling. The report presents a system design concept and not a
detailed system design; the detailed design will be developed during
Phase II. Functions and methods are defined in this report as opposed
to component specifications. = was not asked to take the time to
document the steps of their reasoning process. NPIC/IPD representatives,
however, participated in many of their discussions and can vouch for the
depth of their considerations. The depth of their analysis becomes
very apparent when one questions various aspects of their conceptual
design. In the proposed target brief format, for example, they have
included only that information required by the PI in the performance
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SUBJECT: Proposed NPIC Integrated Information System
of his interpretation, and have excluded nothing which he normally
requires.
3. The fact that the current system is not meeting needs as
expressed by customers is well established. As a result, - did not
feel it necessary to document "how well the current system is meeting
needs as expressed by customers," although in their survey of the
Center they discussed at great length various customers' desires and
needs. The approach of the study, and in fact the charge given
in the Phase I contract, was to analyze the information processing
procedures within NPIC; determine the actual requirements, not of
the customers, but rather of the process itself; and develop a
system to fulfill these requirements. The point is that a customer is
not necessarily the best judge of his own data processing needs.
4. Similarly, the solution of internal procedural and technical
problems, in and of themselves, would not necessarily provide the degree
of improvement in. the overall system that we are striving for. We know,
for example, that much of the information contained in several files is
redundant. Simple elimination of this redundancy would not necessarily
provide maximum improvement to the system. For these reasons the M
approach,.with our concurrence, was to design a system from scratch,
using past NPIC experience as one of many factors influencing their
design.',
5. Under the above approach, the assumptions, especially those
concerning workloads during the FY 70-7 time frame, were used to hypo-
thecate peak load capabilities that will be needed. The objectives to
be attained were defined by the design and evaluation criteria developed
in conjunction with all NPIC management. Most of the capabilities
conceived are not now available. Those which are available will require
considerable improvement.
6. While we are striving for a considerable improvement in current
information processing procedures within NPIC we have consistently
insisted that any design effort developed by be capable of imple-
mentation within the current state of the art. Re do not desire, on a
broad scale at least, to become a testing ground for questionable or
unproven theories. We will incorporate new techniques into the system
as they become available and we become convinced of their feasibility.
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SUBJECT: Proposed NPIC Integrated Information S;rstem
7. The M work has resultcd in a conceptual design. The specific
details of the final design will be subject to considerable refinement
through the iterative design process. As stated above, the concepts are
being reviewed by all NPIC components at the present time, specifically
to determine their acceptability. As we proceed into the detailed
design phase, the first step will be "to develop alternative methods
for performing the functions of the system defined by the conceptual
design and evaluate these methods through analysis and, where necessary,
simulation."
8. has apparently missed the entire purpose of
the requirements section. (paragraph 4 of SCR 273). This section speci-
fies what data elements are required in each of the NPIC production
processes. It does explicitly show the inter-relationship of these
data elements in the form of a matrix.
9. One of the major objectives in the M design concept is to
be able! -to anticipate processing requirements in advance of receipt of
the film. In projecting the response time necessary for such a system,
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of
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laboratory and real-time data link read-out. One of the o
the system is to avoid the regurgitation of volumes of unnecessary
information, as currently must be done because the information require-
ments cannot be anticipated with sufficient precision.
10. Concerning the question of compatibility of the IIS computer
with other computers, the point is simply that any computer which can
output a bit stream into a communications network can exchange data
with any other such computer. This fact is being demonstrated by the
development of the COINS network.
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independen acs. _a his is incorrect. The design assumes a fail-
softly stand-alone computer system which will interface with outside
reference services.
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a. specifically mentions connection with the COINS
network wch, if it proves out as conceived, would be a
logical interface with Project pictures this as
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being done primarily through the COINS not,:.' o'k simply because
planning for this network represents the only tangible plan-
ning for computer-to-computer interface known to us. The
design clearly provides for the query of remote data bases,
for the development of on-line dissemination which can be
used to update remote data bases, and for the remote query
of NPIC data bases.
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b. Experience has shown that the use of other computers
as back-up for the NPIC facility is very impractical. Channel
assignments, executive systems, and peripheral equipment are
rarely identical, and necessitate considerable program modi-
fication. has run pro-
grams at NPIC; in both cases program modification and
dedication of the entire hardware system to the other agency's
work has been necessary. The use of other remote computers
as back-up to the proposed IIS would also be extremely dif-
ficult from a technological point of view, considering the
extensive use of on-line rapid response remote stations in
the system. Given the proposed loading of the equipment and
the required data transfer rates, any attempt to use an out-
side facility would slow the entire NPIC productive effort
drastically.
c. The _ conceptual design includes a ground photo-
graphy file and an all-source photo-interpretation report
index, reflecting the fact that both are currently maintained
at NPIC because adequate reference services are not now avail-
able elsewhere. Should adequate services become available,
these sub-files could easily be discontinued and dropped from
the system with little effect on the overall concept.
d. The concept estimates a need for two computer sup-
ported photo composing devices. While such facilities may
be available in OCS and PSD, it would be rather inefficient
to'utilize them for material generated in, and to be printed
in, Further, it would, we assume,. be difficult
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SUBJECT: Proposed NPIC Integrated Information System
to attain adequate access to such facilities, if the 25X1A
assumption that the NPIC workload will require two such
machines is valid, and if the facilities available in OCS
and PSD are being utilized.
12. There is, at present, much argument within the industry over
the relative merits of dynamic allocation of c central pand rocessors
central processors vs the direct coupling
master/slave relationship. Most hardware manufacturers are retreating
from or delaying plans for the development of true multi-processing
systems, apparently because they have been unable to cope satisfactorily
with the extensive probemvth Tthe ynamic he new systemlwi111be fully
the various tasks within given programs.
duplexed and will be programmed in suchaa annerft any the total con-
figuration is not required for the performance
13. The conceptual design is for an integrated information syastemm.
kages
The assumption must be made ttwith1 each aothee and wilproontain many
will be designed to be compatible
however, functions. are properly left to theinter-
dcof perform packages, specific
dependence detailed
of these se p p ~
design phase.
14. Paragraph 6.1.5.3 of the - Report, SCR 288, is confusing.
data is entry. actually talking about two separate devices which will be used for
Also, the - statement that "computational programs seldom
change" is not necessarily true. However, most of the changes are in
the formats of the input and output data streams, not in the basic
mathematics.
The personnel requirements specified in paragraphs 5.3 and
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7.8 of SCR 288 would be extremely optimistic if they were meant to repre-They sent the personnel required sandlmathe intain an. operational are estimates
ational IIS.
of only those required to operate
16. The computer rental costs estimated by ? were based on the 25X1A
average monthly rental of four different configurations. The most.
expensive configuratior consisted of IBM 360/67 and 36o/50 central
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processors with disc files. The last expensive utilized augmented
Sigma 7 and Siren, 2 computers with t3ry+,ai.t discs. Two middle systems
were considered, one based on UNIVAC 490 :+nd 418, the other on
GE 645 and 625. It should be pointed out that the estimate of 11.
billion bits of storage assumes a 300% increase above the total
estimated storage' requirements of 3 billion bits, and not a 30%
increase for overhead and directories as stated by
Actually, - has included requirements for anticipated directories
in its 3 billion bit storage estimate.
17. The costs indicated in SCR 288 for contractor programming
assistance cover that programming which - feels will be required to
implement group 2 and group 3 functions, and covers the time after
the basic system has become operational. The figures quoted in
SCR 289 are the contractor's estimates for contractual assistance
necessary to design, program and install the initial system.
18. infers that the contractor is to be allowed to
develop and implement the system with minimum control from IPD and NPIC.
We wish to assure that the contractor's efforts will be
very closely monitored by IPD personnel and that there are major
review points established throughout the program (there were three
such review points in Phase I). As far as Phase II is concerned, each
of the specifications for individual sub-systems will be carefully and
completely reviewed not only by IPD, but also by the other NPIC com-
ponents concerned, prior to proceeding with programming and check-out.
19. The concept conceives of three levels or groups of sophisti-
cation in the implementation of the integrated information system.
Phase II systems design and the follow-on phases are primarily concerned
with group 1 activity. Individual sub-systems will obviously be phased
in as they become available. However, within the time frame proposed
by _ there can be little spread in phase-in dates. It should be
noted that the contractor was directed from the start to provide a
level of effort which would result in an operational IIS in a two-year
time frame. We agree that the implementation schedule is optimistic;
it will slip, and in fact already has.
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SUBJECT: Proposed NPIC Integrated Information System
20. Evaluation of system performance is a ?part of Phase IV,
Installation and Test, and will be carried out utilizing data from
our management information system and simulation model.
21. In summary, it is our intention that the development of an
integrated information system, in accordance with the general concepts
outlined by _ will have a significant impact on the efficiency of
NPIC's activities. These improvements have long been recognized as
necessary, not only by NPIC management, but also by top Agency manage-
ment and the numerous outside review groups which have studied NPIC's
operations. The impact of the development of the IIS upon NPIC's
operations will permit NPIC to fulfill its photo interpretation
responsibilities to the community in a more timely and accurate manner,
and to keep pace with the intended growth in the collection of imagery
data. The impact of the system on portions of the Agency and the
intelligence community outside NPIC will be in the form of increased
responsiveness to the specific requirements for imagery interpretation
data. Once the integrated information system design has been completed,
individual parts of the system may be implemented in accordance with
the data processing workload, as well as the availability of manpower
and dollar resources. We believe it is imperative, however, that the
system be designed in its entirety to avoid redundant files and
inefficient processing. The detailed design is a necessary and inte-
gral step toward the fulfillment of NPIC's long-range goals and
objectives.
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Chief, Information Processing Division, NPIC
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Distribution:
Copies 1 & 2 - DDI/Planning Officer
Copy 3 - DD/OCS
'Copy 4 - DD/OCR
Copy 5 - Dir/Chive Task Force
Copy 6 - Asst/P&M, NPIC
Copy 7 - Asst/P&D NPIC
Copies 8 & 9 - C/IPD, NPI
LCONTROL e`f r' *
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NO. SEC. CLASS.
TCS 1)+233/6 S (TKH)
MATERIAL DATE DATE IN
16 Sept 66 20 Sep 66
Chief, IPD/NPIC
DATE OUT FILE CLASSIFICATION
"Proposed NPIC Integrated Information
System"
Copy #7
2 attachments: TCS 80+8-66, Cy #6
Working Paper, S-TKH
same subject as
TCS 1+233/66
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