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Random Thoughts from Dr. George Schussel
Source: Canadian Datasystems Published: Sep 1987
A broad ranging discussion with George Schussel on the general state of computing in the late 1980’s was published in Canada through this magazine. One interesting quote from the article follows:
Q: You predict that by 1992, most of the computing in the United States will occur on small computers, leaving the mainframes to handle data storage. What does that mean to the centralized MIS function?
A: It means that MIS must be totally different than it was 10 years ago. We’re talking revolution, not evolution. The management of DP, in order to manage the transition from a third generation to a fourth generation environment, has to redefine its job. In some cases, as we have seen, it means that people will get rid of a 4300 and replace it with eight PC ATs and lay off five programmer/analysts. That may be an extreme but not necessarily an unreasonable example of how to cope. The old way was a centralized DP function doing all the work. The new way is the centralized DP function creating and managing databases and, like a utility, providing access to those databases. The new way is the centralized DP department providing standards, advice and supervision.
