ABSTRACT
The Town Planning Department in Jamaica is getting a consultant to advise on computerization in the Department. The more successful the Department becomes at using microcomputers, the harsher the spotlight that will be turned on the processes themselves. Everyone has his or her own approach to using computers, but there are at least five main areas where early decisions are required. These are: assessing computer needs, identifying computer users, choosing computer software, choosing computer hardware, and providing user training. Software is one of the critical elements in any computer system. Fortunately, with the advent of microcomputers, the problems associated with developing software for specific applications have been simplified. Compatibility and expandability are both important factors in the choice of equipment, particularly when procurement is likely to be incremental and modular. The initial investment should probably go into the quantity of equipment rather than the power and capacity of individual workstations.
