Showing papers on "Services computing published in 1993"

Key Issues in Developing School-Linked, Integrated Services

Abstract: This article identifies several nuts-and-bolts issues involved in planning and implementing school-linked services. Effective planning must include discussion of implementation details and is possible only if a policy-minded team of coequals works toward the same goals. No one agency should "own" the process. In addition to education, health, and social services agency leaders, the team should include representatives of community and neighborhood groups, line workers, and parents. This team must carefully address questions of targeting, governance, financing, evaluation, and information sharing. In addition, team members must consider operational issues such as ensuring line worker buy-in and establishing an effective case management staffing plan that is acceptable to existing staff. The article discusses different strategies that community teams can use to address each of these issues. he development of school-linked services has progressed to a point where we can begin to distill the most effective approaches to planning and implementing these programs. In this journal issue the article by Levy and Shepardson discusses key elements of these programs. This article identifies some of the nuts-and-bolts issues that must be addressed when establishing school-linked service programs. These include planning, targeting, governance, information systems, and staffing.

Services for tomorrow's PCS

Abstract: Personal Communications Services (PCS) provides terminal, personal, and service mobility - the ability of an end user to access his/her telecommunications services in any location and the ability of the network to locate this end user as he/she moves. Today's telephone customers have come to expect a menu of "bell and whistle" services that provide offerings like custom calling features, voice mail, and operator services; that may be generally referred to as supplementary services. In order for PCS to become widely accepted by the public more than basic wireline or wireless services may be required. In addition to the bells and whistles of today, supplementary services that provide manageability and security of a PCS offering should be made available to the end user. This paper provides a view of an end-to-end PCS network as a reference for the reader. The paper then shifts the focus to the two areas of supplementary services that may be implemented in a PCS offering and provide additional revenue and/or preserve current revenue: personalized call management and fraud detection. Personalized call management includes services such as message delivery and call screening; features that may provide opportunities for additional revenue. Fraud detection addresses the need to preserve revenue via improved billing and fraud detection capabilities.

Utility mapping and record keeping for infrastructure

Abstract: Any attempt to improve, or even maintain, the standard of living in rapidly developing urban areas cannot go forward without adequate municipal infrastructure and utility services. Inadequate or poorly managed services limit urban economic development in several ways: exposing segments of the urban population to health risks; limiting economic productivity when services are cut-off or unreliable; adding financial costs to individuals and enterprises through unnecessary property damage; and creating additional economic costs from congestion of transportation and communications systems. The economic and efficient delivery of infrastructure services in turn, depends on effective planning and management. Without proper information, spatial and otherwise, the quality of service delivery, financial performance, and the ability to plan can be eroded. Information from maps, and records, based largely on records of utilities and infrastructure facilities, contributes not only to efficient services, but also to the operation and maintenance of assets, and to the sensible planning of extensions and new works. Any serious lack of such information can adversely affect the economy, the quality of life, public health, and the environment. This discussion paper reviews recent developments in the field of urban infrastructure recording and mapping, a number of issues that need to be addressed, and some actions that could be taken to improve record keeping systems. Although the emphasis is on map and records for utilities basic municipal infrastructure services, particularly those with underground networks, some aspects of the discussion apply to urban management information systems in general. The central point is that the standards of records and information systems in municipalities and utilities often fails to meet the needs outlined above. Any organization that expects to run an efficient day-to-day operation and to manage and develop its services effectively must know what assets it has, where they are, their condition, how they are performing, and how much it costs to provide the services. Adequate records are also essential to assess deficiencies and to engage in forward planning. As the need for satisfactory recorded information continues to grow, countries must decide how to deal with a number of related institutional organizations, and technological issues, including questions of awareness and responsibility. This discussion paper examines those issues and some options for addressing them. The options range from national initiatives to measures that could be taken by municipal departments and utilities on their own or in cooperation with other local bodies.

Integration of Financial Services: The TeleCounter.

Abstract: While more and more sectors of the economy are linked by electronic information and communication technologies, one domain is often neglected: non-commercial clients, i.e. private households. As consumers, they play an important role within the market and they should be integrated into the electronic data exchange chain. This article focusses on the importance of homebanking as an example for electronic links between consumers and banks. It describes the project TeleCounter as an attempt to create a standardized platform for electronic banking in Switzerland.

Goal-Directed Change in Service Utilization

Abstract: Service utilization is the result of a complex and dynamic interaction between social services consumers and providers. Effective strategies for change in service utilization are based on an understanding of the characteristics of consumers and their environment. Social work administrators can change utilization by manipulating the structure of the service delivery system to better fit the needs of those they serve.

Using Technology to Change the Human Services Delivery System

Abstract: System change is often a goal in human services. However, high costs usually prevent the testing of new strategies for changing a community's human services delivery system. The Texas Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities provided an opportunity to test several technology-based system change strategies when it funded a project to develop, implement, and evaluate a model for integrating technology into a community service delivery system.

The Basics of Library-Based User Services

Abstract: Nature stock - the service base aspects of development library users user centred service types of service the service chain - bibliographic, library and user links staff - those who serve types of libraries the wider service scene charging for services evaluation of services - service criteria priorities in library-based user services the future of library-based user services.

Academic Libraries, Fee-Based Information Services, and the Business Community.

Abstract: Services, and the Business Community The attitude of academic librarians toward external users has been ambivalent. On the one hand, librarians are philosophically committed to freedom of access to informa tion; on the other, practical considerations often force aca demic libraries to limit access and services to external us ers. As a sabbatical project, on-site visits were made to a number of academic libraries in the Southwest to deter mine how they dealt with locad businesspeople, a poten tially heavy user group. Most libraries had open access but because of limits in funds and staff time, had to adopt a passive attitude toward business users. Three libraries had fee-based services that allowed them to dead with externad users on a business basis. The assessment of fees clashes with some aspects of library philosophy; nevertheless, the experience of the on-site visits suggests that fee-based serv ices offer a means to assist businesspeople who otherwise often lack easy access to research collections.

Managing Reference Services in an Electronic Environment

Abstract: The increasingly electronic environment in today's academic library is placing new demands on managing reference services. Staff are faced with selecting, implementing, and servicing a wide range of services and resources. This necessitates learning the new and integrating it into the established. At the same time, users are becoming more varied. Not only is their demographic profile changing, but more users with interdisciplinary interests are seeking assistance. Reference librarians are also working to establish new interfaces with the increasing number of users who wish to access resources without coming into the library. This article addresses the management of reference services in a medium-sized research library to meet these needs. A model for planning reference services is presented along with a staff organizational structure to meet agreed upon objectives.

Broadband applications and services prospectus

Abstract: Not too long ago, network traffic was almost entirely comprised of voice or voice-grade traffic. Today, networks must support a rapidly growing percentage of several different kinds of high-bandwidth or broadband traffic — data, image, and video — in addition to conventional voice traffic. There are several factors that create the demand for these new capabilities. Telecommunication customers want faster performance, better quality, customization, lower costs, and an ever increasing variety of advanced information services. For network-service providers, increasing competition requires an accentuated focus on providing timely, reliable, flexible, and evolvable information-network services. But, while network-service providers require new networking technologies to enable the deployment of advanced services, they must also increase network efficiencies to maintain control of their operating expenses. How might asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology be used to address these needs? This paper discusses some of the expected broadband applications and services enabled with ATM technology, as well as applications and services involving more than a 1-Mbit/s peak transport capability. In addition, the prospects for broadband services and applications deployment are also presented.

Modern library technology and reference services

Abstract: Develop improved reference services to keep up with the rapid technological changes in academic libraries with the help of this unique guide. Modern Library Technology and Reference Services includes guidelines for taking on an advisory role in an electronic environment, requesting budgetary support for implementing new information systems, and creating training programs for paraprofessional staff and end-users. Filled with valuable information regarding library planning and budgetary considerations, "technostress" at the reference desk, and the creation of new reference service areas to reflect different service needs, this book is a must for library administrators, librarians, and end-users who want to meet the challenges of modern library technology.This one-of-kind volume provides practical ways to enhance daily reference services, improve the image of librarianship, and bring new users into libraries. It prepares librarians for helping library users with a variety of different search protocols and user interfaces such as online public access catalogs (OPACs), the Internet, CD-ROM LANS, and online searching. All aspects of reference services in the modern electronic technological library are covered in chapters by library administrators and practicing reference librarians who share their practical experiences of how they adjusted their reference services to meet the demands of new technology. Modern Library Technology and Reference Services helps librarians develop a conceptual framework for helping researchers, use online systems and other electronic services, train paraprofessionals, integrate library technology use in the classroom, train end-users in college libraries, work in active partnership with researchers and producers of electronic databases, choose appropriate patron access databases, and effectively manage reference services in an electronic environment.

Centralizing management and decentralizing services: an alternative approach

Abstract: The integration of services can be achieved by a large number of different mechanisms, technologies and arrangements. The alternativs presented here provide different avenues from which those who are exploring new structural arrangements for the public human services can select.

Access Services in Libraries: New Solutions for Collection Management

Abstract: In the current information environment, public and academic libraries are recognizing that providing access to materials is a complex multi-dimensional phenomenon. To meet the changing needs of their patrons, libraries are reorganizing their service structures and developing organizational units called "access services." Even though access services fall within the realm of public services, technical services, or library circulations, they are driven by an entirely new mentality. There has been an extreme paucity of information on access services available for libraries struggling to meet the challenges of the electronic age. Access Services in Libraries is the first book to establish a theoretical base for access services while also suggesting connections between theory and practice. Anyone involved in access services or considering adoption of this new organizational unit will benefit from the information in this groundbreaking volume. Access Services in Libraries provides fresh thinking that reexamines previous writings in this area, presents new experimental designs and results, creates contemporary organizational solutions, and adopts innovative techniques for increasing users'access to library materials within constrained budgets. Access services librarians, circulation department librarians, and library managers, especially those who are considering a reorganization that will include access services, will benefit from the philosophical and theoretical articles as well as practical advice on the design, delivery, and evaluation of responsive library services. Chapters in this invaluable book fill the gap in the literature about access services including theoretical descriptions of access services, current developing trends in access services, the historical development of the access services concept, practical studies related to common access services issues, and projections of future challenges. As Peter Watson-Boone states in his preface, "This volume is notable for charting a new current of thinking and practice that is moving quickly into the mainstream. It substantially documents the state of the art, and should bring increased clarity and focus to the debate now proceeding in many libraries about how we are to honor a commitment to the 'access'concept in the era when it will challenge the 'ownership'concept as never before."

The state of information center services. An empirical study

Abstract: In organizations in which the information center has matured, a stable set of services is offered. A survey was done of 126 information centers to determine the services they currently provide to users and to obtain a perspective on the future of the information center itself.

Management Challenges and Issues in Access Service Administration

Abstract: This article identifies and discusses the primary issues associated with managing an access services department. Some of the issues presented include: (1) identification of functions reporting to access services, (2) organizational considerations, (3) role of access services manager including level of expertise and leadership/management characteristics and (4) managerial issues and recommended proficiencies. The article describes a general operational and informational framework for access services managers and recommends a research agenda for both short and long-term studies.

An end-to-end connection management protocol for multimedia multipoint communications

Abstract: In order to efficiently support the communication requirements for emerging multimedia conferencing applications, we need more sophisticated connection control funtionalities. This paper proposes an end-to-end multimedia multipoint connection management protocol, smartMCP, based on out-of-band control. The management services are modelled into three abstraction-levels; association, connection, and synchronization control services, which are directly accessible by applications. The structure of conventional OSI SAP(Service Access Point) was enhanced to provide adequate access mechanism for those services. The protocol was designed to be run over networks with multicasting capabilities, however it can be mapped to point-to-point network services with minor adjustments. The connection management protocol behavior is introduced. >