In 1985, the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) established a "Micro-Lab" at their annual meeting to provide members of ASBO with exposure to, and hands-on use of, various computer hardware and software. Provides a synopsis of several of the presentations made at the 1989 annual meeting. (MLF)

Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of prepackaged software programs and custom-developed software programs, along with the use of microcomputers. (MD)

Outlines the information necessary for schedule calculation of school bus runs. Describes the use of The Quick Route Optimizer software program for computer calculation of school bus routes. Includes four charts. (MD)

Supplying data from mainframe computers to microcomputers is tedious because IBM mainframe computers use Extended Binary-Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC) to represent data and microcomputers use an American National Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) code set. (MLF)

To obtain software suitable for school personnel systems, school business officials should consider forming cooperative groups to develop software and should also encourage entrepreneurs to custom-design products. (MLF)

Outlines the uses of personal computers as energy management tools in school systems. They can account for energy use and costs, monitor monthly consumption, project impacts of projects, and study new design and building use programs. Includes three tables. (MD)

Microcomputer systems for school districts are best obtained by selecting the software, and matching it with hardware. Discusses criteria for software and hardware, monitors, input/output devices, backup devices, and printers. Components of two basic microcomputer systems for the business office are proposed. (MLF)

The personal computer is a valuable tool for school business officials. Useful software programs for day-to-day tasks include spreadsheets, word processing, and database. Figures give an example of a spreadsheet output and the formula used in each calculation. (MLF)

Microcomputer efficiency and software economy can be achieved through file transfer and data sharing. Costs can be reduced by purchasing computer systems that allow for expansion and portability of data. (MLF)

The LOTUS 1-2-3's special database management operations are used by school budget officials to display data in a variety of ways to assist their decision making. (MLF)

Small school district administrators can use microcomputers to improve their management abilities and productivity through computerized accounting, electronic mail and online subscription services, and the use of integrated software programs. (MD)

Microcomputers have many cost- and time-saving uses in school transportation management. Applications include routing and scheduling, demographic analysis, fleet maintenance, and personnel and contract management. Word processing is especially promising for storing and updating documents like specifications. Enrollment forecasting and inventory…

The availability of micro-to-mainframe communications software has provided computer thieves with new tools. Explains how to establish and maintain proper electronic data processing controls. (MLF)

Discusses the characteristics, development, and applications of the North Clackamas (OR) School District's long-range financial planning model, which is operated through an electronic spreadsheet. Two tables show sample outputs. (MCG)

Presents a 14-step process for school business officers to follow when implementing microcomputer systems into the central office. (MD)