Library Technology Guides

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Volume 2 Number 09 (September 1982)

Third party maintenance for hybrid turnkey systems

When a turnkey computer system incorporating hardware from several vendors is installed, no single manufacturer will assume maintenance responsibility for all of the system hardware. In choosing equipment from multiple manufacturers, the system owner faces the prospect that each manufacturer will blame the other's components when something goes wrong. In order to avoid this situation, some turnkey system vendors obtain all of the hardware from a single source, others do their own maintenance and, occasionally, some rely on "third party" maintenance.

A "third-party" maintenance firm is usually one which has service as its primary business, is licensed to service each of the components of a system, and emphasizes rapid response time by virtue of maintaining service offices near its clients.

Third-party maintenance, while extensively used in industrial and governmental applications, is relatively rare in library automation. Libraries have tended to purchase turnkey systems which consist of hardware from a single manufacturer (DataPhase's use of Data General, for example) or diverse source hardware maintained by the turnkey vendor (CLSI, for example).

There are times when the needs of a library are best served by creating a "hybrid" system with components from two or more manufacturers. For example, the 300 MB disk drives produced by Control Data Corporation (CDC) are less expensive and more reliable than the comparable capacity drives produced by most other computer manufacturers. A number of libraries have pressed DataPhase Systems Inc. to provide CDC rather than Data General drives. However, the company has been reluctant to give up the Data General hardware maintenance support available to it when it installs an all-DG system.

We have recently determined that there are more than seventy third-party maintenance firms licensed to undertake Data General repairs. Virtually all can also repair CDC disk drives. The companies have offices in nearly 100 communities ranging from 50,000 to several million in population. There are even more DEC-authorized third-party service organization.

We talked with some of the customers of third-party maintenance organizations and determined that most charge lower rates than those levied by equipment manufacturers. The most common hourly rate is $60 per hour, as compared to $75-84 per hour for manufacturers service. Annual contracts are available.

The responsiveness of third-party firms varies. Those in large cities will guarantee 4 hour response at their standard rates and faster response if a premium is paid. Some of the most price competitive firms offer same or following day response.

However, using a third-party maintenance organization for a hybrid system may not necessarily eliminate all of the "finger pointing." Arguments can still arise between the turnkey vendor and the third-party maintenance organization as to whether the problem is in the hardware or the software. Some libraries have dealt with this difficulty by specifying that the turnkey vendor assume responsibility for managing total system maintenance including the hardware maintenance which it may subcontract.

Data bases proliferate

Publicly available computerized data bases numbered 1,133 as of April 1982, an increase of 700 since 1979, of which 150 had emerged in just the last six months Carlos Cuadra told an audience at the Special Libraries Association Conference in Detroit in June. Only one online service, DIALOG, offers access to more than 100 data bases, while most of the other 188 services in North America and Europe offer only one data base. Of the 1,133 data bases, 950 are available through only one on-line service; a number of data bases are very popular, however, being offered by as many as 28 on-line services. One of the frustrating problems a searcher encounters is that a single data base may be given different names by competing on-line services. Thirty of the on-line services are European; they offer more than 230 data bases, two-thirds of which can be accessed only by dialing into a European host.

There are 659 data bases which can be described as source data bases: ones which provide the actual information sought, whether it be numerical, textual/ numerical, or full-text. Another 414 data bases can be described as reference data bases: ones which point to publications, people, products or companies. One-third of the reference data bases are bibliographic and two-thirds are non-bibliographic. Then, there are 60 data bases which are not clearly source or reference types.

The number of non-bibliographic data bases is increasing faster than the number of bibliographic data bases. Cuadra characterized the non-bibliographic data bases as being easy to use, saying that they are often easier to use than the bibliographic data bases which are more commonly used by librarians. It is difficult to identify an area in which there isn't a non-bibliographic data base with a large amount of useful information. Cuadra's concern is that non-bibliographic data bases are currently underutilized.

The largest on-line service specializing in non-bibliographic data bases is that offered by I. P. Sharp Associates of Toronto, a company which put up its first non-bibliographic data base in 1973. In addition to offering access to data bases through its own international telecommunications network and Telex, I. P. Sharp offers software to manipulate the data retrieved. Sharp's best knwon software package, MAGIC, facilitates the merging, cumulation, analysis, formatting, and printing of data as required. One can combine data drawn from Sharp data bases with data from other sources.

The Sharp pricing structure is different from that of most other on-line services. The connect charge is only $1.00 per hour from any one of 350 cities around the world, but there is a charge for computer utilization:

CPU use, storage, and data transfer off the Sharp system. These charges can be substantial if a great deal of data manipulation is undertaken. The pricing policy reflects Sharp's history as a computer timesharing company.

Bryant Hart of I. P. Sharp briefly described a number of the aviation, energy and economics data bases his company offers. The company has more than 70 non-bibliographic data bases available.

The other comprehensive on-line service for non-bibliographic data bases is Data Resources Inc. (DRI)-a company owned by McGraw-Hill. It has some 55 non-bibliographic data bases which it produces or markets under license for other firms. DPI began in the late sixties as an economics consulting f inn. In addition to the data bases themselves, it offers software and consultation to facilitate the manipulation of the data, primarily for the preparation of economic forecasts.

Recently, according to Helen Poot of DPI, the company has begun to move toward full-text data basesin part because of its recent acquisition by McGraw-Hill Inc. DRI's Data Pro Services, the computer hardware/software report service, will be among the first of the full-text data bases.

One can subscribe to DRI on an annual fee basis or on a use basis. The latter rate is higher, but does not re-quire an up-front payment or a minimum annual usage. There is a separate pricing structure for data bases available through DPI, but not produced by it. Access is primarily through value added networks such as Telenet, Tymnet, and Uninet.

Emphasis is on ins. and international data bases. The company claims unusual timeliness because it loads many of the data bases from the cities in which the data is gathered. DPI also claims to offer extensive on-line documentation of sources for all data. Keyword searching is available, including for crossdata base searching.

In pursuit of its goal of becoming the preeminent supplier of information to business and the professions through both print and electronic media McGraw- Hill recently added Systemetrics Inc. and its subsidiary, Health Data Products Inc., to its DRI resources. Systemetrics maintains comprehensive data bases for the study and analysis of key trends affecting the health care industry, including cost of patient care, the growing demand for services, the operations of hospitals and the planning of new facilities.

In the same week McGraw-Hill also announced the purchase of Gnostic Concepts Inc. of Menlo Park, CA. Gnostics Concepts has comprehensive proprietary data bases on various aspects of the electronics industry, including components, computers and communications equipment.

[Contact: I. P. Sharp Assoc. Ltd., Box 418, Exchange Tower, 2 First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5X lE3. Data Resources Inc., 1750 K Street, NW, Washington, DC. (202) 862-3700.]

Larger DC-CPU announced

Data General Corp. has announced that its Eclipse 5/140 minicomputer will now be available with 1.5 and 2 MB (megabyte) memory configurations. Previously the 5/140 had a maximum of 1MB. The 2 MB configured system will cost $8,000 more than the 1 MB system. The announcement will be welcome news for libraries considering Avatar, DataPhase or Online Systems Inc. turnkey automated library systems because it will allow such installations to be substantially expanded without re-placing the CPU.

COM: a choice of three flavors

Libraries producing computer output microform (COM) catalogs have long debated the relative merits of the two most common forms of output; 16mm roll film and fiche. Proponents of the roll film approach base their preference on file integrity, security and the ease of access achieved through the use of one of the sealed unit motorized 16mm microfilm readers (the Auto Graphics LCR, no longer being sold and the Information Design ROM readers). Fiche fans point to lower production costs, rapid access, greater storage capacity and less expensive readers as benefits offsetting the potential problems of the misfiling or loss of fiche.

Recently, a third format-rollfiche-- uncut fiche produced in a continuous roll, has become available. A 400 foot roll of 105mm vesicular rollfiche contains the images of 800 fiches, an information storage capacity equivalent to that of 4,000 feet of 16mm roll film.

Most conventional roll film readers can effectively handle only 100 to 120 feet of film; the LCR and ROM readers can accommodate up to 1,000 feet or so of 16mm film; the rollfiche readers offer effective access to 400 feet of fiche film 105mm wide. Thus, libraries with large COM catalogs can offer sealed unit access to the same number of catalog entries using fewer readers. The relative economies of fiche production can also be enjoyed.

To date, we have identified only one company which markets rollfiche readers. Auto Graphics Inc. offers two models of its Micromax 800: a manual reader priced at $1,150 per unit when ordered in quantity and a motorized reader-recommended for files containing more than 400 fiches-priced at $2,150 in quantities. The readers are available with 24x, 26x, 42x, 48x, or 52x lenses.

The availability of rollfiche production facilities is not expected to impede the growth of the format as a relatively inexpensive attachment enables existing COM fiche duplication facilities to output rollfiche.

Although rollfiche readers only became available earlier this year, a number of libraries have purchased them and are changing to roilfiche COM catalogs. It is expected that the rollfiche format will also become popular in non-library applications.

Library Technology Reports has tested both the Information Design P014 4 which is a 16mm motorized roll film reader and the Auto Graphics Micro Max 800. These reports should be available early this fall.

[Contact: Auto Graphics Inc., 751 Monterey Pass Road, Monterey Park, CA 91754. (213) 269-9451.]

Burroughs based systems

A number of libraries considering automation seek software packages that will run on existing computer installations in the libraries' parent institutions. We recently investigated the availability of supported, integrated, multifunction library automation software to run on Burroughs equipment--specifically the B6800.

While Burroughs is giving some consideration to the marketing of software packages for libraries it is not planning to introduce anything before late 1983, if at all. Only a preliminary market research study has so far been committed and it will be undertaken in late 1982.

Calls to several Burroughs sales offices identified only two libraries which have undertaken their own software development on Burroughs machines. The Daytona Beach Community College has begun the writing of software for an acquisitions system to be mounted on the B6800. The Orlando Public Library is in the early stages of developing an integrated system for the B1000, a much smaller machine. This system will not, however, include an on-line patron access catalog module. Reportedly, if Burroughs' market survey reveals a potential client base of at least 20 sales a year, the company might pick up the Orlando software in continuance of its established policy of adopting existing client software for wider distribution. The Burroughs 6000 series of machines have a number of unique architectural features which complicates the conversion of software development for other systems:

• a. A proprietary operating system known as MCP.
• b. A "stack mechanism" that controls temporary storage of data.
• c. Embedding of many control functions in hardware.

The editors also contacted nine major turnkey vendors to ascertain if they would rewrite their software for the B6800. Vendor responses are arranged alphabetically:

Avatar

The software is currently written in MUMPS and is offered on Data General and Digital equipment. Only one installation has been made and while all functions are available, there is still considerable software to be written. Completing the initial installation is the top priority for the relatively new company. Mounting the software on a Burroughs machine would not be realistic because all of the code would have to be rewritten. The constraint is the MIIS operating system used by Avatar. No automated translation is possible says Ms. Payne, Avatar's Vice President.

Cincinnati Electronics

The software is written in Assembler and Fortran and is currently offered on the Univac V700 series of minis. The TOTAL data base management system is used. Circulation and acquisitions modules are currently available and patron access catalog software is under development. The two available modules run separately because the acquisitions software was obtained from an academic library and still must be rewritten. The company would probably not turn down a contract to rewrite the software for a Burroughs machine, but would bill the rewrite at CE' s regular software development rate of $75 per hour. While the conversion of the Fortran code could be done by automated translation techniques at a cost of approximately 50% mark-up over the standard software package price of $90,000, the Assembler would have to be rewritten line by line at a cost not yet determined. The company would offer ongoing maintenance and enhancement at its regular consulting rates, probably tripling the annual cost of software maintenance and enhancement.

CL Systems

The company uses a proprietary programming language that is machine specific (DEC. PDP 11/04 or 11/34). CLSI cannot entertain a rewrite according to Product Manager Susan Spear.

DataPhase

The company offers software written in the MIIS version of MUMPS on Data General Equipment. The company is rewriting it for the Tandem-a project which has already taken 30 programmer years. Circulation, acquisitions, patron access, media booking and interlibrary loan modules are available and serials control is under development. Vice President Steve Lassiter does not think a rewrite for the Burroughs would be cost effective, but might entertain a request to do a one-time rewrite. But no ongoing support would be provided. All resources are currently tied-up in the development of new products. The company is backlogged 15 months on announced software releases for its turnkey customers.

Gaylord

The software is written in DEC Assembler and FORTRAN and is offered as a distributed system with the host a DEC PDP 11/45 in Syracuse and consists of circulation control only. The company would not consider rewriting it according to President Leedom Kettell.

Geac

The company uses a proprietary programming language and builds its own CPUs. It will not consider a rewrite says Product Manager Mike Moynihan.

Online Systems Inc.

The software is written in 14115 MUMPS and could not be cost effectively rewritten for the Burroughs 6800 according to Alan Meyer of the company.

Systems Control

The company limits itself to custom developed systems which can utilize the basic library software packages it has already developed for minicomputers. SCI might bid on an RFP to do a complete rewrite or a brand new software package, but John Shepherd, Library Division Manager, does not think the option is a sound one if a library's needs can be met with a turnkey package.

Universal Library Systems

The software is written in BASIC Plus and is offered on the DEC PDP 11/70 and VAX series of super minis. The software is available separately, but could not be cost effectively rewritten according to President James Speight.

In conclusion, no supported software package is available for the Burroughs B6800 or other machines in the B6000 family to perform the range of functions libraries usually wish to automate. There is only one vendor willing to rewrite and support an existing software package, but it would charge its regular software development rates. The total additional costs over five years might well exceed the hardware savings realized by using an existing computer system since the library would have to pay substantially more for software, would have to purchase terminals, and might be liable for any required upgrades of the CPU's primary memory or secondary storage.

Several of the turnkey vendor representatives with whom we spoke emphasized that their companies respond to each request for the rewriting of their software on the merits of the particular case. Among the considerations are the prospects for future sales of the same software rewrite, the prospective client's commitment to the rewrite approach, and the vendor's current workload. The responses given in mid-1982 to queries about the Burroughs B6800 should not, therefore, be used to generalize about all software rewrites.

A guide to portable microform readers

IMC Journal, the official publication of the International Micrographic Congress, has published a guide to portable microform readers in its Third Quarter, 1982 issue. Some 26 machines are pictured and described. Unfortunately price information is not included. Nevertheless, it provides a useful overview covering units ranging from large, briefcase models with screens up to 11" x 17" to hand-held ambient light viewers which can fit into a shirt pocket. Both film and Fiche readers are described. The full citation is: Exelbert, Rodd S., "A Guide to Portable Readers," IMC Journal, Third Quarter, 1982, pp. 11-15.

DISC on BRS

BRS has developed and mounted a bibliographic database that covers mainframes, micros, and minis; software; online databases and personal computing. The Data Processing and Information Science Contents (DISC) database became available on September 1 with records dating back to July 1982. It will be updated weekly with nearly 200 new documents drawn primarily from U.S. journals. No price has yet to be announced for the database.

DISC includes a full text display of the tables of contents of the journals covered. Each table of contents is rekeyed and enhanced with data such as publication type, classification code, ISSN and the address, telephone number, and subscription price of each journal. Publications covered include: Byte, Computer Business News, Computerworld, Creative Computing, Database, Datamation, EDP Weekly, IBM Systems Journal, IDP Report, MIS Week, Microcomputing, Online, Online Review, Personal Computing, and Popular Computing.

[Contact: BRS, 1200 Route 7, Latham, NY 12110. (518) 763-1161.]

Two-way cable growth forecast

The number of homes with two-way or interactive cable TV will rise from 60,000 (less than 2% of the 4,100 cable systems) in 1981 to 10 million by 1990 according to a recently completed study funded by the National Science Foundation. The Institute for the Future, contractors for the $250,000 study of teletext and videotex technologies, identified a number of factors that will influence the growth of two-way cable:

• FCC requirements
  The FCC now requires that all coaxial cable systems have the capacity to be converted to two-way operation.
• Expiration of franchises

  A majority of franchises will expire within the next decade and will have to be renewed or rebid, thus providing an opportunity for local governments to require upgrading.

• Industry growth

  Feeder cables will pass two- thirds of all U.S. homes by 1985..

• Competition

  At least one major cable company is offering two-way cable in its bids.

• Increased demand for local data communication

  Local telephone systems will not be able to accommodate the rapidly growing local data communication needs.

The costs for upgrading the nation's cable systems will be substantial. Much of the existing cable will have to be augmented or replaced. A second cable can be strung alongside the first to provide for two-way capability or the cable can be replaced with a single high capacity line with different frequencies employed for transmission in each direction.

Libraries which envision using two-way cable for remote access to their catalogs or other data bases within the next decade should seek to participate in franchise award or renewal decisions.

Disk/disc trivia

Is "disk" or "disc" the correct spelling? Our dictionary prefers disk as the modern U.S. spelling for a "thin, circular object." Computer specialists have traditionally preferred "disk" when referring to a data storage medium. Home entertainment system developers appear to prefer "disc" as in both "phonodiscs" and "videodiscs." LSN has opted for "disks" for both applications.

Apples and OCLC

The June issue of Specialist notes Maxwell Library Systems software which allows the Radio Shack TRS-80 microcomputer to be used as a terminal to access OCLC records. The software also has the capability of down loading information from the OCLC database to the microcomputer for storage on rigid or floppy disks.

[Contact: Maxwell Library Systems, Suite 206, 186 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Cambridge, MA 02183. (617) 661-5961.]

Micro software prices may skyrocket

Inexpensive micro software will soon be only a memory several software company representatives predicted at the recently concluded National Computer Conference. The sophistication of software packages for micros is increasing and buyers are expecting more. In the past, good quality software backed by the developer was priced at the same low level as poor quality software.

Most of the people interviewed predicted price increases of 300% or more over the next three years. There is little point in rushing out to buy software now to beat the price increases unless one really knows how to distinguish the good and the bad. The higher priced software will offer guarantees, flexibility in upgrading, etc.; the bargain products may have a hidden cost: poor functionality, poor manuals, and no guarantees. The most frequent caveat at NCC was don't buy without a right to return a defective product.

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