Showing papers on "Service (systems architecture) published in 1978"

A user-oriented software reliability model

Abstract: A user-oriented reliability model has been developed to measure the reliability of service that a system provides to a user community. It has been observed that in many systems, especially software systems, reliable service can be provided to a user when it is known that errors exist, provided that the service requested does not utilize the defective parts. The reliability of service, therefore, depends both on the reliability of the components and the probabilistic distribution of ulitization of the components to provide the service. In this paper a user-oriented reliability figure of merit is defined to measure the reliability of a software system with respect to a user environment. The effects of the user profile, which summarizes the characteristics of the users of a system, on system reliability is discussed. A simple Markov model is formulated to determine the reliability of a software system based on the reliability of each individual module and the measured inter-modular transition probabilities as the user profile. Sensitivity analysis techniques are developed to determine modules most critical to system reliability. The applications of this model to develop cost-effective testing strategies and to determine the expected penalty cost of failure are also discussed. Some future refinements and extensions of the model are presented.

Strategic Systems Planning

Abstract: Advances in technology are creating a profusion of opportunities for increasing the value and cost-effectiveness of telecommunications, for example through the provision of new services for the customer and the use of more economical systems designs. But telecommunications is a complex and highly interactive process, and if the best use is to be made of the opportunities presented, a framework of definitions is required for the coordinated development of systems. Following extensive studies of the definitions required, the Post Office and its principal suppliers are developing a family of standard switching and associated systems, collectively known as System X. Based upon digital, software and micro-electronic technologies, System X is intended to increase the cost-effectiveness and evolutionary capabilities of the British network, with designs that are fully competitive on world markets. The definitions used for System X cover customer service and network interworking requirements, systems architecture, and a range of design standards and procedures. The arrangements enable vital interactions to take place between production and operational interests, and between the definition and design processes. System X is part of an overall systems strategy that is being progressively created. It links System X with other developments, in terms both of service performance and technical standards. In all its aspects, strategic systems planning is expected to lead to the creation, in cost-effective ways, of basic capabilities providing hitherto unattainable opportunities for extending telecommunications services, increasingly in a global context. The continuing reconciliation of global needs and local aspirations in telecommunications represents perhaps the greatest challenge to strategic systems planners worldwide.

An Operational Research Approach to Allocation of Clients to a Certain Class of Service Institutions

Abstract: A model is developed to explain the allocation of clients to different locations of a certain class of service institutions. It can be used for all types of allocation-problems which have the features: clients are travelling from their home locations to the service places. They can choose among several locations of the institution all of which offer the same services. The clients need constant travelling times or costs, and they cause different waiting times or costs at each location, which are a function of the number of clients choosing that service station. The objective of the individual client is to minimize the total time or cost required. Since exact alogrithms cannot be used because of the large number of variables and the non-linearity of the problem, a special approximation algorithm is developed. The paper presents the results of a study concerning the allocation of cars, which must periodically be checked for traffic safety at official test stations.

The TODISK-WATLOAD system: a convenient tool for evaluating student programs

Abstract: The problem of evaluating student programs in an introductory service course is considered. It is suggested that programs be run with data not seen by the student during program development. Two programs, TODISK and WATLOAD, designed for implementing this suggestion conveniently in a particular environment, are described. Experience with the system has been encouraging. Possible enhancements and portability problems are discussed.

Extended control program support: VM/370: a hardware assist for the IBM virtual machine facility/370

Abstract: ECPS:VM/370 is a hardware assist of the VM/370 software control program ECPS:VM/370 provides improved performance for the software system through a combination of hardware assist technologies The assist provides hardware support for virtual machine execution of certain System/370 real machine functions The assist also introduces instructions intended for use by the VM/370 control program ECPS:VM/370 is defined to simplify maintenance and service of the assisted system This paper describes the general functions of the assist and presents an explanation of the control and service capabilities provided with the assist

Automation and the Library Administrator.

Abstract: The development of automated systems in libraries is traced through three broad phases: developmental, operational, and integrative. Management reactions to these phases, as well as typical problems and failures, are characterized. Questions and challenges for management to address in the future are explored. INTRODUCTION "If you have the urge to automate, sit down and calmly wait for it to pass!" was a common piece of advice to library administrators in the mid-1960s. The news of large money expenditures, problems, and pitfalls spread even when system developers and administrators went to great lengths not to divulge such problems or mistakes. At the same time, computer specialists likening libraries to screw and nut inventory problems promised that our concerns were trivial; that library processing would occupy only seconds of computer processing time. Administrators were promised "instant computerization" of library functions as a remedy for problems of spiraling labor costs, increasingly complex procedures, growing manual files, and other ills. While no library administrator involved with early automation efforts will claim it was easy, thanks to advances in technology, networking, and turnkey systems, examples of successful applications of computer technology to library processing and services abound. The computer has become a fast new tool, both in the backroom and in the front lines of patron service; it has brought greater flexibility, speed, and the potential for expanded cooperation and service. The computer has been a significant agent of change in libraries and we can be assured that future developments will bring even more dramatic changes and challenges. Early soothsayers predicted an instant organizational, management, and service revolution to go along with the instant computerization--a new order of things. While there has been change, it has been evolutionary rather than revolutionary, and we have a long way to go. In looking at the impact of automation on administration, it is also important to remember that automation has not been the sole agent of change in libraries recently. Pressures for sound management practices and the need to manage for innovation as well as for the status quo have increased during the 1970s, including demands for greater accountability, pressures from the changing economic and social scene, inflation, staff demands for a greater role in the management and decision-making process, networking capabilities and national developments, competing demands for limited resources, and a leveling or constriction of budgets. The purpose of this paper is, first, to look at the changing characteristics of the development of automation in libraries over time; second, to examine the reaction of management to these developments; and third, to list the management challenges for the future. For the purposes of discussion, the development of automation in libraries is divided into three phases: 1. The Developmental Phase--The period through the early seventies, characterized by system experimentation, development, and entrepreneurship in a limited number of institutions around the country. 2. The Operational Phase--The period beginning in the seventies through the current time, characterized by system sharing and electronic networks, vendor supplied systems, competition, and broad library participation. 3. The Integrative Phase--The period emerging now and going into the future, characterized by the integration of systems across functional lines, the definition and implementation of national networking capabilities, greater cooperation, a more substantial impact on processing and service capabilities, greater information industry involvement, and continuing technological innovation. THE DEVELOPMENTAL PHASE In planning for automation, library administrators counted on a number of effects: speedier and simplified processing procedures, greater sharing of bibliographic information, improved access to collections, and reduced staffing. …

Administrative control of computing service

Abstract: The complexity of necessary administrative controls for computer service exceeds the capabilities of clerical methods. This paper presents a practical method for describing the external administrative environment in a data base which can be used by the operating system for dynamic enforcement of limits. An attempt is made to address consistently the different formosf data processing that may be concurrent in a single installation; included are general purpose time sharing, transaction oriented computing, and scientific computing. Described is the architecture of an operating system component that could be regarded as the interface between administrative security mechanisms and the security features of the system software. Running prototypes exist. The long-range intention is to streamline such computer facility management functions acso ntrolling access to specific services, processing power, and storage space; controlling access to the system data base; and gathering statistics needed for planning. Convenience to users is not degraded by the security mechanisms, but in fact is enhanced.

A Database Interface to WAND for the Network Alerter Service.

Abstract: : The Database Interface (DBI) is responsible for monitoring conditions on a data base managed by a particular type of Database Management System (DBMS). At the Wharton School there are several large databases which are managed by WAND, a CODASYL-like DBMS. This thesis outlines the design and implementation of a DBI for WAND. The DBI will be integrated into the Network Alerter Service (NAS) which is being designed and implemented as a general user service for ARPANET users. The NAS will allow the monitoring of databases at various sites on the ARPANET, for conditions of interest to the user. The WAND DBI is capable of efficiently monitoring these conditions or alerters, and resopnding appropriately when the previously specified condition occur. This monitoring must be done efficiently since the performance of the DBMS may otherwise become extremely degraded. (Author)

Health microplanning in the developing countries: a systems approach to appropriate technology

Abstract: A method of systematically planning the technical details of personal health care in the developing world is described. In contrast to national health plans of the traditional kind--"macroplans"--those for health technology have to be minutely detailed. They have therefore been termed "microplans". (They have also been called health care packages, but this term has other usages). A microplan is defined as an integrated set of components (instructions for technologies, equipment lists, teaching aids, evaluation instruments, etc.) prepared nationally to support a particular health care subsystem. The rationale for a microplan is that the whole is more than the sum of its parts. A microplan is itself a system in two senses. First, the technologies in a given microplan need to be organized so as to support one another. Second, the components in a microplan must themselves be integrated into a system. A microplan can be applied to induce change and so improve the technical quality of existing services. It can also be used to train new workers. More importantly, it ties educational programs to service needs. Since the technology for dealing with disease is so similar all over the developing world, once a "master microplan" for a particular subsystem has been prepared, it can be adapted readily to the needs of individual countries.

A quality of care evaluation measure for emergency medical service systems.

Abstract: This paper presents the development and validation of an emergency medical service (EMS) systems quality of care evaluation measure. The System Input Severity Measure consists of a et of single and multiple injury survival rates that would be expected to occur in an EMS system classified as providing “baseline” advanced life support services. These expected survival rates were developed by a nationwide panel of emergency medicine experts through the use of the Delphi group opinion surveying technique. Validation of the System Input Severity Measure was a twofold process. First, reliability of the results of the Delphi surveying process was validated by comparing the resultant expected survival rates with Illinois Trauma Registry data. Second, the applicability of the measure was validated using data collected in EMS systems generally recognized to be providing exceptional (either superior or inferior) emergency patient care. It was recognized that the development of a comprehensive, largescale System Input Severity Measure through the use of the Delphi technique alone is impractical. Consequently, a functional relationship between single and multiple injury survival rates was also developed. It appeared that when employed in conjunction with data developed from the Delphi technique, such an approach would make practicable the development of a comprehensive System Input Severity Measure.

THE SELECTION OF THE SMALL GROUP FOR SERVICE DELIVERY: An Exploration of the Literature on Group Use in Social Work

Abstract: This paper represents an exploration and analysis of the social work literature on the selection of the group as the service form of choice, and a search for a possible abstraction, from the literature, of a common principle indicative for the use of the group form. The paper examines the historical development of practice toward the specification of group use, analyzes the nature of descriptions regarding group use according to their components, reviews existing classification schemes pertaining to group use, and offers a classification scheme emerging from this exploration of literature. From this discussion, an attempt is made to formulate an abstraction pertaining to group use.

An Operational Research Approach to Allocation of Clients to a Certain Class of Service Institutions

Abstract: A model is developed to explain the allocation of clients to different locations of a certain class of service institutions It can be used for all types of allocation-problems which have the features: clients are travelling from their home locations to the service places They can choose among several locations of the institution all of which offer the same services The clients need constant travelling times or costs, and they cause different waiting times or costs at each location, which are a function of the number of clients choosing that service station The objective of the individual client is to minimize the total time or cost required Since exact alogrithms cannot be used because of the large number of variables and the non-linearity of the problem, a special approximation algorithm is developed The paper presents the results of a study concerning the allocation of cars, which must period- ically be checked for traffic safety at official test stations

Systems analysis and information needs assessment of the Korean National Family Planning Program: interim report of a new scheme for the improvement of family planning information systems and quality of family planning program statistics.

Abstract: Due to the fact of several existing problems with the present service statistic systems the Korean National Family Planning Program has launched a project to replace the existing service statistics system with a broader management information system (MIS) Included among the goals of the MIS project are improvement of the management of the Korean National Family Planning Program creation of an overall evaluation system that is more responsive to managerial needs and modification of the service statistics systems so that the information it contains is more useful to all levels of program personnel The present study is the 1st step towards creating the management information system and the objectives of this systems analysis are: 1) to describe the goals and structure of the Korean National Family Planning Program; 2) to review program inputs to determine the types of coverage and efficiency indicators that are relevant to the program; 3) to review the status of program outputs to determine necessary levels of acceptor monitoring and to determine appropriate effectiveness and quality indicators; 5) to describe the existing service statistics systems so that its form strengths and weaknesses are understood prior to making recommendations for its alternation; 6) to describe the jobs of program middle managers their qualifications and present service statistic information use patterns; 7) to describe the responsibilities of central level program components to determine the type of information needed by these units; and 8) to make recommendations for the design of a new system It was recommended that the design of a MIS for the Korean National Family Planning Program should be as simple as possible be easily altered be relatively inexpensive to operate both in personnel time and money and that an overload of information should be avoided and that indicators in the system should be valid and reliable and should describe actionable events

An Improved Basis for Formulating Acceptance Criteria for Structural Welds

Abstract: Improvements in current weld acceptance criteria can be achieved if the standards are derived from structural reliability and integrity considerations. These criteria require an assessment of the effect on expected service performance of defects remaining in the weld. The inherent randomness in many of the parameters affecting weld reliability requires that the acceptance criteria have a probabilistic basis. Performance criteria can then be formulated which are consistent with levels of uncertainty and desired reliability.

Record keeping and evaluation

Abstract: This paper identifies major sources of information, record-keeping issues, and evaluation methodologies. Much is being learned about developing a unified reporting system. Record-keeping needs are addressed in terms of data availability, problems in data collection, and the potential impact of a federal operating subsidy. A systems approach to system evaluation is outlined together with the trade-off or balance sheet evaluation methodology. Service standards are proposed as a means of institutionalizing system evaluation. /Author/

General Hospital: A Model

Abstract: This publication is designed primarily as a teaching instrument and is directed toward students who are aspiring to careers in the management and administration of health care delivery The author has dissected the hospital departmental components and graphically demonstrated their complexities The text depicts a "typical" community hospital of two hundred beds, its departmental and personnel structure, its budget, as well as its patient service area Further, to a limited extent, the book addresses a model organizational structure of a representative medical staff and board of trustees One area in which the publication could be strengthened is the development of the profile of the present and future practicing medical community On this foundation, existing and future community hospital services are based Hopefully, this aspect will be comprehensively treated in subsequent revisions of the text I recommend a wider utilization of this text to include its use as a core reference