THE PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT WAS TO IDENTIFY AND DEFINE THE PARAMETERS OF AN ECONOMICAL AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR THE U.S. ARMY ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIES. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED FOUR PHASES--(1) DATA REQUIREMENTS DEFINITION, (2) COST ANALYSIS AND SYSTEM DEFINITION, (3) HARDWARE SELECTION, SYSTEM TEST AND EVALUATION, AND (4) DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE. THE METHOD OF APPROACH FOR EACH PHASE IS GIVEN, AND THE PROCEDURES USED AND DECISION CRITERIA DEVELOPED ARE DISCUSSED. RESULTS OF DECISION TO MECHANIZE OPERATIONS IN THE INFORMATION CENTER LED TO THE SELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF FOUR MACHINES, ALL COMPONENTS OF THE IBM 870 DOCUMENT WRITING SYSTEM, WHICH HAS A RENTAL BUDGET OF LESS THAN $7,000 PER YEAR. RESULTS OF MECHANIZING, AFTER OPERATION FOR ONE YEAR, INCLUDE--REDUCTION OF PROCESSING COSTS BY REJECTING REPORTS HAVING NO RELEVANCY TO ON-GOING TASKS, ELIMINATION OF THE NEED FOR OVERTIME REQUIRED UNDER MANUAL CONDITIONS, REDUCTION OF ACTUAL PROCESSING COSTS BY DOCUMENTS, REDUCTION OF PROCESSING TIME PER REPORT FROM 75 DAYS TO 5 DAYS, AND RELIEVING STAFF OF ROUTINE CLERICAL WORKLOADS, THEREBY EXTENDING THEIR CAPACITY TO OPTIMIZE OTHER INFORMATION FUNCTIONS. PANEL WIRING DIAGRAMS AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROGRAMS DEVELOPED ARE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT. THIS DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE AS AD-651-486 FROM THE CLEARINGHOUSE FOR FEDERAL SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION, SPRINGFIELD, VIRGINIA 22151, $3.00 FOR HARD COPY, $0.65 FOR MICROFICHE. 73 PAGES. (AUTHOR)