WHAT YOU SHOULDN'T EXPECT FROM A COMPUTER

• NCJ Number: 25763
• Journal: SPECIAL ISSUE Volume: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1973) Pages: 30-32
• Author(s): L GROSSMAN
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 3 pages
• Corporate Author: American Bar Association
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. REPRINT FROM ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT (SEPTEMBER 1972)

Annotation

SEVERAL PROBLEMS IN THE USE OF COMPUTERS FOR BUSINESSES AND ASSOCIATIONS ARE REVIEWED, INCLUDING THOSE OF EXCESS PRODUCTION OF PAPER AND PAPERWORK, HIGH COSTS, AND INCREASES IN COMPUTER-GENERATED WORK.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT WHILE SCIENTIFIC COMPUTER APPLICATIONS HAVE ACHIEVED AN ENVIABLE RECORD OF SUCCESS, THIS RECORD IS NOT MATCHED BY BUSINESS COMPUTERS. BUSINESS AND ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES LACK THE DIRECT CONTROL AND UNDERSTANDING OF COMPUTER USES THAT THE SCIENTIST ENJOYS, AND THUS MAY TEND TO UNDERUTILIZE OR UNNECESSARILY UTILIZE COMPUTERS. AS A RESULT, PROBLEMS OF HIGH COSTS AND THE GENERATION OF UNNECESSARY REPORTS AND STATISTICS MAY BE EXPERIENCED. THE AUTHOR URGES THAT BEFORE CONSIDERING COMPUTERIZATION, A THOROUGH SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND SIMPLIFICATION OF PROCEDURES SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. IT IS STATED THAT THIS STEP WILL MAKE COMPUTERIZATION MORE EFFECTIVE, OR MAY EVEN ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR COMPUTERIZATION ALTOGETHER. IMPROVED SYSTEM COMMUNICATIONS ARE SEEN AS AN ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE FOR ANY ASSOCIATION CONSIDERING COMPUTER POWER.