Proposals are made for practical approaches to the design of electronic office systems to provide for the effective storage and retrieval of the documents that they generate. Problems of records management and requirements to be met by the designer of an electronic office system are highlighted. Nineteen references are cited. (EJS)

Described a distributed approach to management information systems for mental health organizations that is less costly and complex than the widely advocated integrated system. Presents a client statistics subsystem that can be written with a standard statistical analysis package. Describes Florida Mental Health Institute's data system to…

Derives three guidelines for management information systems (MIS) planning research by illustrating similarities between research streams of MIS planning and organizational strategic planning: recognition of MIS planning levels hierarchy and corresponding hierarchy in MIS planning benefits; specific attention to operationalization of constructs;…

This tutorial on packet radio (communication system using radio and digital packet-switching technology) highlights radio transmission of data, brief history, special considerations in applying packet radio to library online catalogs, technology, defining protocol at physical and network levels, security, geographic coverage, and components. (A…

Discusses information gained from a test of cable data circuits on a Geac bibliographic control system at the Wayne Oakland Library Federation (WOLF) (Michigan). Highlights include an introduction to cable, hardware profile, the WOLF experience, and key questions that will affect the future use of cable for data transmission. (EJS)

Second article in a three-part series focuses on enhancements of search commands and features in the DIALOG and QUESTEL information systems. Highlights include system responses and capacities (aids to searching); search commands and features (proximity searching, field specification, limits); concatenating complex requests; and saving search…

Discusses data model role in an office filing facility, office data model requirements, and various modelling paradigms for office data modelling. Data model application to a typical collection of office data is presented, filing and retrieval operations are illustrated, and proposed research into other office data modelling aspects is outlined.…

Without clear administrative support, a consultant's wisdom, or political harmony, but with much equipment already in place, two middle managers at the University of Illinois at Chicago worked to build a word processing network. Issues such as forging alliances, sharing resources, and creating administrative support are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Recent technological advances have put alumni-development computer systems within reach of most colleges and universities. Options, including the types of hardware available, the many ways to match an office's needs to your hardware, and the types of software available are discussed. (MLW)

Discusses major features of an effective local network of microcomputers within a business: (1) particular transmission medium used; (2) the way data is transmitted over that medium; and (3) the way access to the network is shared among the devices. A data communications glossary is provided. (MBR)

A large urban school board has solved the security problem for electronically stored student records by refusing to file them on a dialup system and by requiring a notarized affidavit of custody before release to a parent or guardian. (TE)

To be sure that the capitalization required in the move to distributed processing is spent wisely, it is necessary to understand the function, integration, and system architecture. How to achieve corporate standards in office automation/decision support in higher education is discussed. (Author/MLW)

Three implementation strategies for office automation and decision support systems within postsecondary educational institutions--"natural evolution,""the total solution," and "coordinate evolution"--are identified. The components of an effective implementation plan are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Summarizes findings from two studies: 93 professors of educational administration ranked citizen involvement and school district information programs high as public relations strategies and an analysis of both mail and telephone surveys conducted concurrently affirmed the advantages of the telephone survey. (MLF)

Microcomputer technology is direct, personal, and well suited for the task of decision support. Learning to use it constructively and effectively to improve higher education management is the challenge of the immediate future. (Author/MLW)