WORD AND DATA PROCESSING UPGRADE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 3, 2014
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 16, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002061300005-0
STAT
STAT
STAT
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
ICS 3558-88
16 May 1988
Information Handling Committee Staff
Director, Program and Budget Office
Word and Data Processing Upgrade
1. The following is a summary of comments received from the Program and
Budget Office (PBO) staff. Comments are listed in rough priority order.
2. The first PBO requirement is to maintain access to the heavy
mainframe processing available now from the Computer Center at CIA
Headquarters. The NFIP budgetary data bases for FY 1988 and FY 1989 are
maintained separately, with supporting files and report generators for heavy
daily direct use containing about 100,000 records. The National Foreign
Intelligence Program (NFIP) budgetary historical data base, with about 24,000
records, is maintained to reflect Congressional Budget Justification Book data
from 1954 to 1993. The DoD Five Year Defense Plan for the NFIP and related
STAT programs contain almost 20,000 records. Also on are the DCID 1/2
Requirements and Priorities data base (containing more than 21,000 records in
the official file), and 25,000 records in a newly developed test file. These
files are maintained for report generation on an ad-hoc and quarterly basis.
We also maintain a Linguist Reserve data base and associated Geographic data
base, which contain 5,400 and 4,900 records respectively for the Foreign
Language Committee research and reporting requirements.
3. The requirement for large data base use includes the ability to
process incoming data tapes; build large files that produce the budget, budget
history, DCID 1/2, and Language Reserve reports; and with outputs directed to
tape, diskette, Hetra high-speed impact printer, and the Xerox 9700 multicopy
printer at the CIA Headquarters. In addition, we must be able to access the
600,000-record FYDP for non-Comriunitv oograms and R&D records that are made
STAT accessible to us by SOVA at the Center.
4. Our second requirement is for improved user-friendly word
processing. This should not require massive retraining or dislocation of
office production. This includes the conversion of all existing files held on
the active and archive disk packs. Great improvements in the word processing
software capabilities, speed, and storage media could be made and are
desirable.
ALL PORTIONS OF THIS
DOCUMENT ARE UNCLASSIFIED
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0
STAT
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0
SUBJECT: Word and Data Processing Upgrade
5. The Wang WP currently suffices, but we have had to limit use of the
BASIC compiler, remove Words-in-Text due to lack of storage for the index
tables, and archive too many files due to cramped disks. We need a friendly,
almost "idiot proof," self-teaching, menu-driven WP. PBO, and most likely the
rest of the ICS, will not function well if the Wang systems continue to
degrade.
6. One fix that would provide an immediate improvement would be
replacing the disk drives in the Wang vault with the 4" in place of 1" drives
and loading up the Wang software WP-PLUS. This would go a long way toward
upgrading the system for the message/document sending and WP user group which
constitutes both about 95 percent of the IC Staff and usage of the Wang
resources.
7. Our third requirement is an electronic mail capability to send and
receive messages and attached documents to all components of the ICS, NFIP
program management offices, the four Intelligence Oversight Congressional
committees, the DoD Comptroller, C3I, and OMB.
8. Electronic mail would save considerable time PBO personnel spend
handcarrying information. It would allow the newly established U&S Commands
Program Monitor to communicate with the Service staffs and the far-flung U&S
Commands. It would save time for the program monitor for the pearls and gems,
who spends much of her time travelling between her six program offices. In
addition, these circuits would cut out a lot of the "telephone tag" in which
we are all engaged. Our responses to our frequent short fuse tasks would be
STAT quicker and better staffed. Inside the the Wang does this adequately.
9. Our fourth requirement is use of the forthcoming STU-3 as a fallback
for electronic mail to those places where installing secure lines has proved
impossible. The MITRE Corporation will shortly test batching documents
through STU-3 hookups. This could be a cheap option if we were to get STU-3s
to attach to the WP system.
10. Our fifth requirement is the loading of program textual files into
the WP System. This would allow the monitors of big NFIP programs to search
their huge books (the CCP has 2435 pages) for key words and numbers, and not
have to flip pages and paper clip items of interest. Key passages could be
located quickly, reviewed, and electronically incorporated into PBO-developed
documents.
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0
e-d ,
STAT
STAT
SUBJECT: Word and Data Processing Upgrade
11. Our sixth requirement is to load external program-submitted data
files into the system from RAMIS, and subsequently to update versions for
numeric analysis using off-the-shelf software by the program monitors and ED
analysts. This would complement the RAMIS system, not supplant it, and give
monitors more of a feel for their program data and how RAMIS could be used to
analyze it. It would have to be a VERY user-friendly language.
12. Our seventh requirement is a WP package that allows merging of text
and numerical report files from RAMIS or other application generated reports.
This cabability would save time and eliminate data input errors to output
better reports, especially in crunch periods.
13. Our eighth requirement is a WP/ADP/graphic package to merge all sorts
of formats for desktop publication. This would also save time in the
crunches, as well as allow the ICS to produce almost print-plant quality
product quickly.
14. Our ninth requirement is for an advanced graphics capability that
would allow the general but interested user to develop highly individualistic
graphics. This would put some impact in graphics for transparencies and
documents, as well as improve analysis of large data bases.
15. Our final requirement is for a BASIC interpreter or compiler, to
allow specific users to write their own code and evaluate numeric data from
programmatic points of view. This would complement the mainframe processing
and the application software package processing. This would permit users to
manipulate their own data, giving them another tool to get at the information
for evaluation, and to develop ad-hoc numeric tables for incorporation into
PBO documents and/or loading into graphics applications.
16. If you have any questions, please contact
(secure).
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0
,
STAT
SUBJECT: Word and Data Processing Upgrade
DCl/ICS/PBO
Distribution: (ICS 3558-88)
Orig. - Addressee
1 - D/PBO
1 - PBO/Free
1 - PBO Chrono
I - ICS Registry
9 May 88)
4
Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/04/03: CIA-RDP90M00551R002001300005-0