Computing in ST: evaluation of the present situation and plans for the future

A general overview of the current situation will help to define plans for the future in order to obtain maximum profit of the resources we have and to better plan future investments. The main computing issues for 1998 are presented and their effects evaluated: Migration of QuickMail towards the CERN central mail server, in parallel with a migration of MAC to PC when needed; -rationalization of the ST desktop inventory and analysis of needs for the near future; migration from RAPIER (the Computerized Maintenance system) to its latest version R5, and re-organization of the different databases concerned; extensive use of the WWW as common communication system. Also, a divisional strategy for computing is presented: standardization, choice of solutions considering that the convenient solution is not always the best technical one, importance of training in general organization and in specific domains in order to increase efficiency in daily work.