The IBM Reproducer - IBM 1401

The Reproducer and Some ApplicationsThe ability of the reproducing punches to reproduce data from one cardto another offers many advantages. Several of these have been impliedthroughout the text.Many concerns today use a punched card bill. The card is perforatedto ~rovide a 22-column stub, which contains the customer's accountnumber and the amount due. When the customer remits his payment,he also sends in the stub. The stub is then reproduced into an 80-columncard that can be used for mechanized cash accounting.The subscription departments of many magazines use punched cardsfor soliciting new subscriptions and promoting renewals. A card printedwith the sales message is punched with name, address, redeterminedsubscription code number, the duration of the subscription and the subscriptionoffer amount. It is then sent to the prospect. When it is returnedand the prospect has become a subscriber, the card is placed inthe mail file. A few weeks before expiration the mail cards are reproducedinto promotional cards to start another cycle.The above uses illustrate how the reproducer speeds the tasks ofaccounting for cash and subscription promotion. In addition to permittinga faster operation. the reproducer assures a more accurateoperation.