MATERIEL RESOURCES SYSTEM CONCEPT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R001300060037-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 17, 2002
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: January 28, 1966
• Content Type: MFR

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2 8 JAN 1966
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Materiel Resources System Concept
1. On 18 January 1966 a meeting was held in the DD/S Conference Room
to discuss progress of the Materiel Resources System Study and to present a
concept of a new system with target dates for its design and implementation.
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2. Last August it was agreed that the Support System Group should proceed
with a study directed toward the development of an integrated system incorporating
procurement, supply, transportation, and financial functions related to materiel
management with a target date for implementation set for early 1967. After
studying the problem in somewhat greater detail, the Office of Computer Services
informed us that if they were to be ready to implement the Materiel Resources
System by January of 1967 it would be necessary for the Support System Group to
have completed its part of the study by January 1966. We estimated, in turn,
that we would need 12 people full time immediately (last August) if we were to
come anywhere near meeting that date. Beginning about Labor Day we had six
people assigned to the project full time. About the middle of September, one
more was added and the eighth joined the group about 4 November. One of these
continues to spend about half his time maintaining ongoing Logistics computer
systems.
3. The first two or three weeks of any individual assignment are taken up
with getting him acquainted with the magnitude of the problem and in learning how
to perform specific tasks. We have also found it necessary and desirable to enroll
people in some formal training and have arranged for nearly all members of the
team to participate in at least one training course. In addition, we have arranged
for all three teams to take a programmed instruction course in IBM 1401 pro-
gramming beginning Monday, 24 January 1966. After that we plan to enroll one
or two at a time in IBM 1410 or 7010 programming and follow that with some
training in the IBM System 360. We have made several trips and plan several
more during the course of the next few weeks. Among other things, we learned
that the Defense Supply Agency in Philadelphia began the development of their
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present system in 1960. They have 450 people working on it and still have not
reached all of the objectives originally set for the system. Beginning about
October 1964 they began to redesign their system and devoted 750 man months
to the development of system specifications and invitations to bid. They had a
target date for implementation of the SAMM System set for 1 July 1966 but this
has slipped some number of months.
4. Captain of the Materiel Resources Team, described at
some length the system concept recommended by the Support System Group for
approval in principle. It was emphasized that we are presenting only a concept
and seeking approval in principle to proceed with a system design within this
general framework, realizing that there will be many specifics which may require
modification in order to suit the particular needs and requirements of given sets
of circumstances. The conceptual system proposed would initially encompass the
continental U. S. and eventually include world-wide supply management operations.
It is based upon an on-line, real-time, direct-access, remote station capability
directly connecting the various depots in the United States, the Office of Logistics
in the Washington area, and the central OCS computer facility at Headquarters
through the Office of Communications data transmission network and switching
devices to be installed. The system as proposed would automate or semi-
automate the following functions of the Office of Logistics and each would in
fact be a subsystem:
a. Cataloguing
b. Catalogue research
c. Stock management
d. Requisitioning
e. Procurement
f. Shipping
g. Receiving
h. Discrepancy reporting
i. Financial accounting
Mr. presented schematic flow charts of each of the subsystems and
described generally how we would expect them to work.
5. It was estimated that the system design to be completed by the Support
System Group in keeping with this concept could be ready by October or November
of this year for the Office of Computer Services to begin computer system design
and programming which would probably require another 12 to 15 months. In this
time frame, the system should be ready for implementation about coincident with
the availability of the System 360/67 hardware early in 1968. In a sense, these
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can be considered to be median dates. The Office of Computer Services is
planning to enter three consultants on duty late this month or early in February
and will supplement them with three staff employees to be assigned full time to
this project. Other contractors and staff employees will be added as we progress
and their services are required. Taking advantage of the availability of these
people, we believe that if we start with the cataloguing subsystem, for example,
it may be possible for us to begin computer system design and programming
sometime before October and begin the implementation of the catalogue subsystem
sometime during 1967 on the System 360/65.
6. In general, the concept as presented was accepted and approved in
principle by those present with the understanding that some features may require
adaptation and modification in the development of a precise system design as we
begin to work closely with the components concerned with the performance of the
several functions. However, the objectives have been established and agreed
upon and Mr. Bannerman instructed Mr. Meloon and Mr. 0 to begin the 25X1
education, training, and preparation of the people to make the transition to new
systems within the kind of highly formated and disciplined atmosphere required
by computer systems. He pointed out that an extensive training program will be
required not only for those who are working directly in the development of the
new systems but for people who will have to make the transition and operate the
new systems. He suggested that they work with the Office of Training as necessary
or desirable to insure that we are adequately prepared to move forward. He also
instructed them to be sure they include in their budget presentations for Fiscal
Year 1967 and 1968 whatever is necessary in terms of positions and money to
insure that we are adequately prepared to support this project during the conver-
sion and implementation stages. He also instructed me to insure that we coordinate
our plans completely with the Office of Communications and that the Office of
Communications incorporate in its program and budget presentation whatever
equipment, research and development, money, and personnel may be necessary
to support the systems.
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Special Assistant to the
Deputy Director for Support
SA-DD/S:RHW:deg (28 Jan 66)
Distribution:
Orig - DD/S Subject
1 - DD/S Chrono
1 - D/OL
1 - D/OF
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SUBJECT: Materiel Resources System Concept
irec or o finance
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Concur subject to the understanding that
design of all financial aspects of the
materiel resources system be developed
through close coordination with this Office.
K. L. annerman
Deputy Director
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 0MLASSI f roved ff NI M62003/04/29: CIA-RDP J00f7@NFF@g j"af0037-4 OX SECRs :T ONLY
ROUTING AND RECORD SHEET
Materiel Resources System Concept
FROM:
.XiENSION
NO.
Special Assistant to th
e
Deputy Director for Sup
port
CATS
28 1anuary 1966
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
D
ATE
building)
OFFICER'S
COMMENTS (Number each comment to show from
INITIALS
M whom. Draw a line across column, after each comet
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
1 ? Director of Logistics
25
1. For your concurrence.
1-C-50 Quarters I
F
,8 196f
2 'Di
2. For your concurre.ice.
rector of Finance
1212 Key Building
3. For your approval.
3-Deputy Director for Support
7D18 Head
uart
q
ers
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
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10.
11.
12.
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14.
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15.
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