Introducing the Microcomputer into the O.R. Department

This paper reviews the typical main-frame computer services that are currently available and by accepting the alleged advantages of microcomputers postulates the ideal computing requirements of O.R. departments. Experience of microcomputers in O.R. departments, within the N.C.B. and elsewhere, is considered in relation to these ideal requirements. It is concluded that although some main-frame computer services will remain essential to O.R. and accepting that the main-frame can give a reasonable general computing service, the micro offers additional advantages. These include: lower cost and/or better service, the ability to configure the equipment exactly to meet O.R. needs; full control over applications and priorities; and portability - which means that computing power can now be taken direct to the manager by the O.R. department.