Computer and communications technology

The U.S. government, a primary sponsor of scientific and technological developments that fostered the computer and communications technologies needed by the on-line database industry, also sponsored database development projects, information usage studies, and combined computer database development—usage projects. The successors of some of these projects continue to be prominent and include DIALOG, MEDLINE, BRS, LEXIS, and the Chemical Abstracts Registry System. 

The Impact of Advances in Computing and Communications Technologies on Chemical Science and Technology, Report of a Chemical Sciences Roundtable Workshop, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1999. 

This section is focused primarily on source and detector technologies. For some applications the source or the detector actually defines the entire measurement technology, for example tunable lasers (source) and array spectrographs (detector). There are other important technologies to consider, especially in the area of data acquisition, control, computer, and communication technologies. These are rapidly changing areas and, if viewed generically, service all forms of instrumentation. Where practical, companies tend to use standard platforms. But for certain applications where performance is critical, there is still a case for proprietary solutions. 

Thus, it is no surprise that logistics management has been transformed in the last 10 years from a largely manual process to a more automated one. Major advances in computer and communications technology and the introduction of the Internet and e-commerce have effected this trend. These developments provide new opportunities and increase expectations for a fast and flawless logistics process. The Internet also provides new models in how information systems ate deployed. For instance, companies may not need to own the sophisticated DSS— they are able to lease them based on their needs. This mode of deployment is now referred to as application service provider (ASP) and is considered one of the most important trends in information systems, especially for mid-sized companies who cannot afford expensive systems. 

Associates (workers, employees) must have the education and training to perform proficiently, meaning safely, efficiently, and productively. In this information era, they must learn how to function in new and demanding organization structures and handle team membership and empowerment, computer and communication technology, statistical techniques, problem-solving systems, and so much more. 

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