Managing Computers in Large Organizations

Managing Microcomputers in Large Organizations
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/167.html
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PERSONAL COMPUTING, NOT PERSONAL COMPUTERS 133
you have to provide such people with better resources. Make the same people
more productive. Our system does that in a number of areas.
My basic philosophy has always been that the point of origin ought to be
the point of entry. If you can accomplish that you can eliminate duplication.
This system, obviously, is a natural extension of that philosophy. In terms of
word processing, for example, with multiple printers in the branch we can easily
separate various functions.
In the area of decision and sales support the system provides the real
resources of personal computing at the branch level. Anything that can be done
on a personal computer can be done on this system. And much more.
For E.F. Hutton electronic filing of information is part of the electronic
mail system and part of the word processing system. It is integrated office
automation, and our system does it very logically. Within drawers we have
folders, within folders, documents. We can file electronically; we can crumple
and uncrumple electronically. We have, in effect, an electronic janitor, and until
he empties the electronic waste basket, we can retrieve. Again, we have all the
things personal computers give, plus additional capabilities.
But the administrative support is what sells the system. We can use it as an
extension of our operations administration. For example, I can use the system to
schedule meetings with people who report to me. I have various options: I can
demand a meeting, in which case the computer will cancel any conflicting
meetings. Or I can request a meeting, meaning that if these people have open
time, the computer will arrange a meeting around their schedules. There will be
defaults in which I can get only 18 out of 20 people or 4 out of 5. I also have
“public time” in which people can schedule their meetings with me.
The system extends outward as well. We started “Hutton Line” in the state
of Florida and expanded it nationally in December 1983. Using a personal
computer at home our customers can get direct access to our files. They can use
word processing with their account executives, check portfolios, and perform a
variety of other functions if they want, including spreadsheet analysis. In short,
they have all the functions that are on the personal computer plus the functions
on our computer. Thus, the network now extends not only to headquarters, to
regional offices, and to
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