More Details About Manchester Computer
Page 58
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
it /TORE details have now been released al about a machine that can calculate a Transport Department payroll at the rate of 1,500 totals per hour, taking into account the department's 1,800 instructions. This is to be employed by the Manchester Corporation (The Commercial Motor, September 9). Although its initial cost is £45,000 it will effect important economies, saving many thousands of hours of laborious clerical work. The electronic computer will be operated by the City Treasurer's Department on a wide variety of work, as well as that of the transport department.
I.C.T. electronic equipment has been used in the Corporation's punched card system since 1957. At present the larger Type 555 Calculator is being supplemented by the Type 1202 Computer. which has just been installed. The machines arc divided between four rooms.
Five Tabulators
All the basic information for transfer to punched cards is sent to the punch room, and in the tabulator room the cards are processed. The latter section contains five large tabulators which basically "add and print." Smaller machines are provided for reproducing punched information, sorting, collating and interpreting.
The Type 555 Calculator is a machine which works in very close conjunction with the main tabulator room, performing 150 mathematical processes on 6,000 cards an hour. The calculator will ultimately deal with 10,000 weekly wages a week. Additional calculations of gradu
ated contributions to the National Pensions Scheme after April, 1961. will not slow it down.
The new computer consists of five units linked together to operate as a single system. The electronic unit is the basic equivalent of the Type 555 Calculator, but has greater flexibility in operation. Incorporated is a drum unit coated with magnetic material on which can be stored 40,096 unit figures. The tabulator unit incorporates the card reader and the print output. The Mfr. -mation processed in the computer is punched into the cards.
Over 6,000 Employees
Manchester Corporation Transport has over 6,000 employees working virtually 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Input to the computer is to be on cards. which will have been marked by depot clerks to show the daily hours worked. The computer will in one run calculate the hours payable, making all the necessary adjustments for guaranteed minimum week, and then make the cash calculations, producing the detailed payroll.
Transfer of the whole of the transport department payroll to the computer is expected to take place before April 1, 1961, as well as ticket, salary, outstanding debt, and other calculations. Before it finally comes into use, representatives of the employees will be shown how the machine works.
Said Mr. H. K. Greves, chief accountant for the corporation transport department: "If its accuracy satisfies the corporation transport workers, it will satisfy anyone."