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Forward Planning,
Personal Computing and Micro Computing

Forward Planning

From 1980s users wanted to undertake data analytics on micro-computers - wikipedia CC

Around 1980 with the key applications now developed and more powerful mini-computers becoming affordable and an increasing demands from user for more ad-hoc management information, a Forward Planning Group was established with Tony O'Brien as the lead.

Key staff were Alan Blanks, Keith Callaghan, Howard Dobson, Peter Evans, Jim Cleall-Harding and Gerry Treadway. One of the recommendations from the group was the creation of a Personal Computing Group to support end user managed data analysis either on the mainframe or on the early micro computers. A further recommendation was a restructure.

Personal Computing Support Group

This group was formed in 1981 to support end users undertaking their own data analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package) for the Social Services and the 3GL APL (A Programming Language). These analysis tools ran on the mainframe. Most users did not need to learn APL as two higher level interfaces called A Departmental Reporting System (ADRS) and APL Data Interface (ADI) were provided. Costs were recovered by charging the users for logged-on time plus machine processing use.

Support consisted of Consultancy, Education, Advice, Data Management, Administration and Technical Support.

The PCSG was headed by Keith Callaghan who became the Chair of the newly formed IBM UK Information Centre Managers Forum. In early 1983 Keith left LOLA for a position at IBM and Howard Dobson became the manager of the PCSG .

LOLA Personal Computing Support Group in 1984 © KC

Micro Support Group

Intertec Superbrain launched in 1979
© Tom Murphy VII CC2 wikipedia

This group supported end users using CP/M based Micro Computers (i.e. pre DOS) such as the Intertec Superbrain. It must have been one of the earliest such groups in the UK. Recall that IBM only launched it’s PC on 12 August 1981.

 

The group was not formally set up like PCSG. Alan Blanks and Gerry Treadway were prime movers.

 

References

  1. Personal Computing Service (Overview), PCSG, LOLA, c1983 View Repro here [⇗]

  2. As recalled in February 2021 by Keith Callaghan, LOLA employee from 1970 to 1983 and previously at LBMSU.

  3. As recalled in April 2021 by Keith Callaghan, LOLA employee from 1970 to 1983 and previously at LBMSU.