Design and Implementation of Delco Operational, Quality, and Process Control Computer Systems

The application of computers to manufacturing facilities grew out of efforts to improve management control of operations. The evolution of data acquisition, from machines connected to event recorders and mechanical counters to direct monitoring with exception reporting and process control by two back-to-back computers -- has taken nine years.

Two of these years were spent evaluating the system requirements, potential growth, potential savings and cost, computer hardware and software, machine/computer interface, and use of information. An IBM 1710 system was installed in May 1964 and later replaced by two IBM 1800 systems when the total system was expanded in February 1967.