- Email: [email protected]
Monitor
Dataprotectionlegislation The UK Data Protection Bill is making its way slowly through the British parliamentary process. Introduced in the House of Lords earlier this year it is now approaching the final stage; its Third Reading in the House of Commons. Yet, many feel that the ramifications of the Bill, which has largely been introduced in response to the standards published by the Council of Europe Convention, are not fully appreciated either by the Lords or the Commons. David Firnberg, deputy president of the British Computer Society has pointed out that the term ‘data user’ is very loosely defined and that the penalties for failing to register are inadequate, and he draws attention to the possibility of exemption for any minister of the crown. The National Computer Users Forum (NCUR) has also expressed serious concern about the Bill. In a letter addressed to the Home Office the NCUR writes: ‘The exemptions proposed in the Bill appear to remove from legislative cover the more sensitive issues which are likely to be at the heart of public concern.’ From the data users’ point of view, David Waddington MI’ has argued that the provisions necessitated by the Bill will not prove onerous to data users. Also, that it is in data users’ own interest to support any move which will assuage the fears of the public about personal data records. Meanwhile, two separate reports have shown that the majority of DP
and general managers are unaware of the ramifications of the Bill and are unprepared for it. One survey by the Computer Science department at Brunel University indicated that about 60% of DP managers had little or no knowledge of the subject. However, 80% of DP managers did feel that the legislation covering data protection was necessary and that this legislation should include manual record keeping as well as computerized systems. One aspect of the Bill, which the researchers felt had been ignored was the cost of implementing the legislation and the impact upon software, installation of security systems and staff training. The other survey, by Task Management Services, highlights these problems. According to the author, Ronald Richards, many companies are, at the present time, writing software programs that will have to be completely rewritten in order to meet the requirements of the new law. Worldwide, thirteen countries have some form of national data protection/ privacy legislation, including Germany, France, Norway, USA, Canada and Denmark. Laws are expected in the period 1983-1984 in nine other countries including Belgium, Finland, Netherlands, Spain and the UK. In Denmark, during 198 1, the Danish Data Surveillance Authority (DSA), considered 654 new cases and dealt with 54 cases. Out of 39 cases concerning complaints in registration at credit information bureaux, the DSA considered 20 to be justified and ordered the credit information bureaux to delete the information. Both Germany and Norway are about to review their legislation on data protection. These revisions will cover more precise definitions of terminology and the rights and actions of ‘control’ authorities. Norway is considering scrapping its licensing system which has become unworkable due to
David Fi~~ffg, Bcs.
~epu~~resi~~t of
the flood of applications. Instead, it iz proposed that the present system should be replaced with a strengthen. ing of the powers of the Data Inspects rate, allowing it to forbid certain prac tices and to give individual regulti tions.
data processing
Cabletv- the forerunnerof interactiveservicesin thehome Decisions concerning the setting up of cable networks are being made by several European countries, each facing a period of uncertainty with regard to the ownership, scale and regulation of cable systems and services. Despite this uncertainty, Link, a subsidiary of International Data Corporation, forecasts a growth of 37% in the cable market , representing a total of nearly 42M subscribers by 1987. In Britain alone, it has been predicted that more than &400Miy will be spent on the construction of cable tv networks. In Finland, 7% of households are connected to a tv cable network with only one company providing a major service, which is not expected to become profitable before 1985. France has almost 1/2M households connected to cable networks and in November 1982 the French Government announced a plan to cable 1.4M households by 1985 using optical fibre networks. The French Government is also keen to encourage domestic suppliers of cable related equipment, in an attempt to forestall massive imports from the USA and Japan. In West Germany and the UK, moves have been made to open up the proposed cable networks to private consortia. 2.3M households in West Germany are on an existing cable network and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is planning an integrated broadband telecommunications system. In the UK, the Hunt report recommended that the cable network should have no common carrier and should be free from all regula-
vol25no4
may 1983
tion. This report has been followed up ,y a statement from the Conserva:ive Government which recommends .he use of optical fibre networks and Jroposes that the networks should :arry voice as well as nonvoice data. Fibre optic cable offers very large >andwidth capacity, minimal inerception and greater security and
privacy than coaxial cable. Yet, it is likely that fibre optic cable will remain an expensive and commercially inviable medium for a least the next 4-5 years. Although many countries are approaching cable through the provision of television, the real significance lies in its ability to carry high-speed data and provide interactive services in the home. British Telecom has already established a commercial consultancy designed to help cable tv operators develop two-way interactive services. However, as was discussed at a London seminar organized by Earth Resources Research, much more thought needs to be given to ensuring that cable actually provides a public service as well as fulfilling the narrower needs 01 industry.
Battelleestablishessoftwareproducts division Computer software is to be developed and marketed by Battelle’s new software products division. Battelle, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the leading US software products and services companies. The establishment of the centre will
enable Battelle to expand its activities in developing and marketing software in the rapidly growing data management field. Battelle hopes to use the centre to identify and develop new areas for software products and to market these products.
3
R&D-based recover ForDataGeneral >ata General’s announcement of its iew 2.2 MIPS MV/lOOOOsupermini, ,ee page 46 for further details, has )een taken by some industry experts as L sign of recovery. Last year Data seneral lost $216M in market value in me month. However, this latest umouncement seems to signal an upurn in the company’s financial forunes. The MV/lOOOO announcement :omes after a long period in which Data General ploughed its sales rerenues back into R&D. Between 1977 md 1981, just over 10% of Data &e&s sales revenues went to R&D, Lfigure several percentage points high:r than its major competitors. Despite his, Data General’s market value renained low, suggesting to Edson de Castro, Data General’s president, that :he importance of R&D is not given .he recognition it deserves. Part of Data General’s recovery nust be attributed to a complete reor-
l’hirdparty sales forWang offke products Wang has adopted a third part] strategy, through which OEMs ant software houses will handle the dis tribution of the VS range. Wang Laboratories in Massachusetts esti mate that by 1990, approximately 30% of Wang’s business will be handled bJ third parties. The company does not intend to al ter the existing direct sales strategy but views the setting up of a third parq operation as a logical extension to thr existing sales policy.
4
ganization of the company’s management and marketing structure, instituted by Ed de Castro. Although DG was slow to establish market support for the Eclipse series, it has now indicated that direct sales to end users will be increased. The lack of third party
software for the desktop Enterprise range is being tackled by setting tip an inhouse systems division that will integrate Data General products with third party hardware and software. Also, DG’s semiconductor operation is at last running smoothly; Data General was the first m~ufa~turer to produce a 16 bit minicomputer on a chip. Another accomplishment has been the shipping of $25M worth of DG’s CEO office automation system, just one indication of the success of Data General’s new user-oriented marketing.
UKMicrosales boom Sales of microcomputers in the UK are version, while ACT (Sirius) firmly approaching ‘/2 million units. Sinclair leads the field in 16 bit micros. The has the largest installed base of strength of the Osborne model indi560000. In the business market the cates the growing popularity of the top six micro suppliers are (in descend- portable micro. Unlike the most popular home coming order): Apple, ACT (Sirius), Osborne, Xerox, IBM and Olivetti. Of ~puters, of which several are manufaccourse this situation is likely to change tured in the UK, e.g. Sinclair, Acorn, somewhat as sales of the IBM PC, Dragon and Oric, none of the best sellofficially launched in January this year ing business micros are manufactured and selling at 500 a month, overtake in the UK. All are manufactured in the US, except the Olivetti and the Apple, the Xerox and Osborne. which are manufactured in Italy and Apple’s position at the top of the , Ireland, respectively . chart is due to the popularity of its 8 bit
Sinclair will soon be competing in the business micro market. data processing
FewDP departments involvedin supportand developmentformicros Data processing departments have to ratify any user decision to purchase a micro, though the question of DP departments providing consultancy, development or support for micros is less clear. These were the main findings of a recent survey of members of the UK National Computing Centre (NCC). Although 62% of data processing departments had to ratify user decisions concerning the choice of a micro,
only 39% provided consuhancy, 31% support and 18.5% provided development assistance. ‘The DP department does not yet have a well determined role to play in the installation of micros and, in most cases, its involvement with other departments who use micros appears to be on an ad hoc basis,’ concludes the report. Micros only represent one area of
hardware growth in the user sector, for example, the number of terminals is also expected to grow rapidly during the period 1983-1987. According to the survey, which measured the average number of terminals for each 100 nonDP employees, companies in the financial sector, and to a lesser extent education and research institutions, have become more ‘computerized’ than other sectors.
PlanforFrench selfsuficiencyin electronics The French electronics industry should be moving towards selfsufficiency. This is the aim of a plan produced by the French government. According to the Filiere Electronique plan, French electronic production must grow by 9% between 1981 and 1986 -a 6O/oincrease on previous estimates, The dominant growth sector will be data processing, followed by the office equipment and software products sectors.
It is hoped that the execution of this plan will lead directly to increased employment, an improvement in the balance of trade and an increase in cumulative investment. To achieve such growth, market researchers, IPI, suggest that the French government must invest about FFr116OOOM in consolidating both the computer, component and consunler goods sectors and the telecoms, communications and radar sectors.
Profits up40%forIBMUK
J
vol25 no4
may 1983
IBM UK’s group profit for 1982 was E225M (pretax), an increase of 40% on the previous year’s figures. Group turnover for 1982 was &1240M, a 24% increase over the 198 I figure. Sales and rentals to UK customers rose from E582M to &718M and exports of both goods and services rose from &420M to E522M. ‘Looking to the future, I don’t see any slowing down in the pace of tech-
nological innovation nor indeed in the pressure of competition: factors which have contributed to create the spectacular growth in our industry over the last two decades’, says E Nixon, chairman and chief executive of IBM UK. For IBM as a whole, now that the EEC has followed the US government and dropped its action against the computer giant, the future must look decidedly rosy.
5
and general managers are unaware of the ramifications of the Bill and are unprepared for it. One survey by the Computer Science department at Brunel University indicated that about 60% of DP managers had little or no knowledge of the subject. However, 80% of DP managers did feel that the legislation covering data protection was necessary and that this legislation should include manual record keeping as well as computerized systems. One aspect of the Bill, which the researchers felt had been ignored was the cost of implementing the legislation and the impact upon software, installation of security systems and staff training. The other survey, by Task Management Services, highlights these problems. According to the author, Ronald Richards, many companies are, at the present time, writing software programs that will have to be completely rewritten in order to meet the requirements of the new law. Worldwide, thirteen countries have some form of national data protection/ privacy legislation, including Germany, France, Norway, USA, Canada and Denmark. Laws are expected in the period 1983-1984 in nine other countries including Belgium, Finland, Netherlands, Spain and the UK. In Denmark, during 198 1, the Danish Data Surveillance Authority (DSA), considered 654 new cases and dealt with 54 cases. Out of 39 cases concerning complaints in registration at credit information bureaux, the DSA considered 20 to be justified and ordered the credit information bureaux to delete the information. Both Germany and Norway are about to review their legislation on data protection. These revisions will cover more precise definitions of terminology and the rights and actions of ‘control’ authorities. Norway is considering scrapping its licensing system which has become unworkable due to
David Fi~~ffg, Bcs.
~epu~~resi~~t of
the flood of applications. Instead, it iz proposed that the present system should be replaced with a strengthen. ing of the powers of the Data Inspects rate, allowing it to forbid certain prac tices and to give individual regulti tions.
data processing
Cabletv- the forerunnerof interactiveservicesin thehome Decisions concerning the setting up of cable networks are being made by several European countries, each facing a period of uncertainty with regard to the ownership, scale and regulation of cable systems and services. Despite this uncertainty, Link, a subsidiary of International Data Corporation, forecasts a growth of 37% in the cable market , representing a total of nearly 42M subscribers by 1987. In Britain alone, it has been predicted that more than &400Miy will be spent on the construction of cable tv networks. In Finland, 7% of households are connected to a tv cable network with only one company providing a major service, which is not expected to become profitable before 1985. France has almost 1/2M households connected to cable networks and in November 1982 the French Government announced a plan to cable 1.4M households by 1985 using optical fibre networks. The French Government is also keen to encourage domestic suppliers of cable related equipment, in an attempt to forestall massive imports from the USA and Japan. In West Germany and the UK, moves have been made to open up the proposed cable networks to private consortia. 2.3M households in West Germany are on an existing cable network and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is planning an integrated broadband telecommunications system. In the UK, the Hunt report recommended that the cable network should have no common carrier and should be free from all regula-
vol25no4
may 1983
tion. This report has been followed up ,y a statement from the Conserva:ive Government which recommends .he use of optical fibre networks and Jroposes that the networks should :arry voice as well as nonvoice data. Fibre optic cable offers very large >andwidth capacity, minimal inerception and greater security and
privacy than coaxial cable. Yet, it is likely that fibre optic cable will remain an expensive and commercially inviable medium for a least the next 4-5 years. Although many countries are approaching cable through the provision of television, the real significance lies in its ability to carry high-speed data and provide interactive services in the home. British Telecom has already established a commercial consultancy designed to help cable tv operators develop two-way interactive services. However, as was discussed at a London seminar organized by Earth Resources Research, much more thought needs to be given to ensuring that cable actually provides a public service as well as fulfilling the narrower needs 01 industry.
Battelleestablishessoftwareproducts division Computer software is to be developed and marketed by Battelle’s new software products division. Battelle, which is based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the leading US software products and services companies. The establishment of the centre will
enable Battelle to expand its activities in developing and marketing software in the rapidly growing data management field. Battelle hopes to use the centre to identify and develop new areas for software products and to market these products.
3
R&D-based recover ForDataGeneral >ata General’s announcement of its iew 2.2 MIPS MV/lOOOOsupermini, ,ee page 46 for further details, has )een taken by some industry experts as L sign of recovery. Last year Data seneral lost $216M in market value in me month. However, this latest umouncement seems to signal an upurn in the company’s financial forunes. The MV/lOOOO announcement :omes after a long period in which Data General ploughed its sales rerenues back into R&D. Between 1977 md 1981, just over 10% of Data &e&s sales revenues went to R&D, Lfigure several percentage points high:r than its major competitors. Despite his, Data General’s market value renained low, suggesting to Edson de Castro, Data General’s president, that :he importance of R&D is not given .he recognition it deserves. Part of Data General’s recovery nust be attributed to a complete reor-
l’hirdparty sales forWang offke products Wang has adopted a third part] strategy, through which OEMs ant software houses will handle the dis tribution of the VS range. Wang Laboratories in Massachusetts esti mate that by 1990, approximately 30% of Wang’s business will be handled bJ third parties. The company does not intend to al ter the existing direct sales strategy but views the setting up of a third parq operation as a logical extension to thr existing sales policy.
4
ganization of the company’s management and marketing structure, instituted by Ed de Castro. Although DG was slow to establish market support for the Eclipse series, it has now indicated that direct sales to end users will be increased. The lack of third party
software for the desktop Enterprise range is being tackled by setting tip an inhouse systems division that will integrate Data General products with third party hardware and software. Also, DG’s semiconductor operation is at last running smoothly; Data General was the first m~ufa~turer to produce a 16 bit minicomputer on a chip. Another accomplishment has been the shipping of $25M worth of DG’s CEO office automation system, just one indication of the success of Data General’s new user-oriented marketing.
UKMicrosales boom Sales of microcomputers in the UK are version, while ACT (Sirius) firmly approaching ‘/2 million units. Sinclair leads the field in 16 bit micros. The has the largest installed base of strength of the Osborne model indi560000. In the business market the cates the growing popularity of the top six micro suppliers are (in descend- portable micro. Unlike the most popular home coming order): Apple, ACT (Sirius), Osborne, Xerox, IBM and Olivetti. Of ~puters, of which several are manufaccourse this situation is likely to change tured in the UK, e.g. Sinclair, Acorn, somewhat as sales of the IBM PC, Dragon and Oric, none of the best sellofficially launched in January this year ing business micros are manufactured and selling at 500 a month, overtake in the UK. All are manufactured in the US, except the Olivetti and the Apple, the Xerox and Osborne. which are manufactured in Italy and Apple’s position at the top of the , Ireland, respectively . chart is due to the popularity of its 8 bit
Sinclair will soon be competing in the business micro market. data processing
FewDP departments involvedin supportand developmentformicros Data processing departments have to ratify any user decision to purchase a micro, though the question of DP departments providing consultancy, development or support for micros is less clear. These were the main findings of a recent survey of members of the UK National Computing Centre (NCC). Although 62% of data processing departments had to ratify user decisions concerning the choice of a micro,
only 39% provided consuhancy, 31% support and 18.5% provided development assistance. ‘The DP department does not yet have a well determined role to play in the installation of micros and, in most cases, its involvement with other departments who use micros appears to be on an ad hoc basis,’ concludes the report. Micros only represent one area of
hardware growth in the user sector, for example, the number of terminals is also expected to grow rapidly during the period 1983-1987. According to the survey, which measured the average number of terminals for each 100 nonDP employees, companies in the financial sector, and to a lesser extent education and research institutions, have become more ‘computerized’ than other sectors.
PlanforFrench selfsuficiencyin electronics The French electronics industry should be moving towards selfsufficiency. This is the aim of a plan produced by the French government. According to the Filiere Electronique plan, French electronic production must grow by 9% between 1981 and 1986 -a 6O/oincrease on previous estimates, The dominant growth sector will be data processing, followed by the office equipment and software products sectors.
It is hoped that the execution of this plan will lead directly to increased employment, an improvement in the balance of trade and an increase in cumulative investment. To achieve such growth, market researchers, IPI, suggest that the French government must invest about FFr116OOOM in consolidating both the computer, component and consunler goods sectors and the telecoms, communications and radar sectors.
Profits up40%forIBMUK
J
vol25 no4
may 1983
IBM UK’s group profit for 1982 was E225M (pretax), an increase of 40% on the previous year’s figures. Group turnover for 1982 was &1240M, a 24% increase over the 198 I figure. Sales and rentals to UK customers rose from E582M to &718M and exports of both goods and services rose from &420M to E522M. ‘Looking to the future, I don’t see any slowing down in the pace of tech-
nological innovation nor indeed in the pressure of competition: factors which have contributed to create the spectacular growth in our industry over the last two decades’, says E Nixon, chairman and chief executive of IBM UK. For IBM as a whole, now that the EEC has followed the US government and dropped its action against the computer giant, the future must look decidedly rosy.
5