Computing Research Centre established with UN participation in Bratislava

Abstract

The Computing Research Centre (Vyskumné vypoctové stredisko), set up with the participation of a UN program, started its work in Bratislava in April, 1969. The task of the institute is to fill the gaps in research for the up-to-date computation techniques and particularly for information systems to be applied in the management of the national economy. Conditions for such investigations are now favourable in Czechoslovakia: the country's economy is relatively well-developed and has long experiences in working out national statistical and planning systems, futhermore much experience has been gained in applying mathematical methods in the guidance and management of the national economy. The socialist system of national economy is in fact offering particularly favourable opportunities - through its structure and nature - for studies in the all-social relations. Research results in this field might arouse interest not only in the socialist but also in the highly developed capitalist countries of Western Europe.
Organizationally, the Centre is divided into five sections: economic models, data processing, computer operations, scientific information, and economics. The article gives a detailed account of the work of the first four sections, giving an outline of the characteristics of the computer CDC 3300, too. The illustrations offer an overall picture of the integrated information system.