The development and implementation of centralized information systems in the public sector are addressed. Focus is on such systems where a central government agency is collecting information from a number of similar institutions, such as hospitals and colleges. The approach of the Ontario College Information System is described. (Author/LBH)

The computing and information systems at the University of Missouri are described. All computing activity was centralized beginning in 1973 with the formation of the university computer network. Administrative data processing, financial systems, student systems, and office automation are discussed. (MLW)

Arguments for and against decentralization of data management, analysis, and planning systems are presented. It is suggested that technological advances have encouraged decentralization. Caution in this direction is urged and the development of an articulated decentralization program is proposed. (SF)

The feasibility of using a centralized data processing facility to sever a large group of secondary schools and the capabilities of two alternative systems were investigated. The population to be served included 100,000 students in grades 9-14 attending 50 schools in an area having a hundred mile radius. Service requirements were defined to…

Progress in realizing the full potential of computerized data processing is being hindered by costs and by the spread of a multitude of small, independent computer facilities. There is a need for some uniformity of specifications among the various systems. The result would be a compatibility that could help to reduce costs more rapidly because of…