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SUMMARY OF DGS
ADVANTAGES
System Modularity
Flexibility
Intl'oducUon
•
The design philosophy of the third generation DGS is completely con-
gruent with that of the entire Spectra 70 family. A complete Data Gather-
ing System of hundreds of Input Stations is in reality a hierarchy of
independent subsystems.
The user can build from a system of one or two independently con-
nected Input Stations up to 20 or 30 in one subsystem. And he can increase
the number of subsystems at will associating literally hundreds of Input
Stations with a single Spectra 70/668 Communications Controller-Multi-
channel. This growth can be accomplished with no disruption to the
operating system.
\Vithin each subsystem, each Input Station is also of modular design.
The user initially may require Input Stations having the capability of
accepting a punched plastic badge, an 80-column card or variable data
input thl'ough a keyboard, or digital signals collected from a digital read-
out device. He can specify anyone of these media for his initial Input
Station configuration
01'
he may specify virtually any combination of
these media in anyone station. And as his needs grow, he can alter the
original input stations at his location without interrupting other operating
units in the subsystem.
•
\Vith systems modularity there is a built-in flexibility. It is this flexi-
bility which allows the system to grow. And since all Input Stations are
independently wired through to the central facility, with single twisted
pail' circuits, the user can rearrange the physical location of his collection
network with little expense and no disruption to other system elements.
Each Input Station can be tailored to meet the needs of the user.
No two DGS Input Stations in a system need to operate exactly alike;
i.e., a number may be used for punched plastic badge only, others may be
used for 80-character alphanumeric card and variable numeric data, The
user may need other input stations which can automatically pick up and
transmit piece-part count from a machine tool and read an 80-column
card and an ID badge. This can be readily accomplished within a DGS.
There may also be a need for Input Stations which read multiple cards,
a badge, and variable numeric data. The terminal can be conditioned to
read and transmit all of these media or some of them or certain portions
of each. The input message formats are specified in advance by the user.
As needs change
01'
during growth, requirements for Input Station
capability may change. The need may arise to add additional input
mechanisms, possibly a second card reader
01'
token reader. These changes
can be made in the field, again, without disruption to the rest of the system.
\Vith regard to physical proximity to the eentral facility, the user has
the utmost range of flexibility. \Yith an intra-plant Local DGS, he may
operate Input Stations up to 30 wire miles from the eentral processing
facility. Should he need additional clistanee
01'
should he need to operate
between plant facilities, this can be aceomplished with the use of the
Long Lines DGS. Both subsystems can be operated in the same total data
collection system.
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