The Computer as a Management Aid: A description of the uses of a modern computer as a management tool

THE attitude of many managers to new techniques of data distillation is discussed, and this leads to a description in fundamental terms of the capabilities of a modern computer for use in a connection with a management system. The history of the use of computers is discussed in relation to the development of the computer equipment itself, and the development of methods of programming. The use of a computer in an integrated management information system is considered and this leads to consideration of the structure of information required within a company, and the traditional methods of its supply. Some properties of information, namely accuracy, timeliness, and cost, are then discussed, which leads to a discussion of the environment necessary to use computers effectively.