Lynn J. McKell

Charging for Computing Resources

Modern computer configurations are often designed to share a host of resources among many users who may be simultaneously competing for their utilization A substantive issue m computer management focuses on how to effechvely allocate computing resources and subsequently charge for them m this competing environment. The issue is generally made more complex by the dependencms in resource availability stemmmg from the hardware configuration. This paper surveys significant charging mechanisms which have been proposed. The paper does not discuss specffic commercial software available to implement charging approaches, but rather is written as a basra survey for readers wath an mterest an both computers and management science. An elementary understanding of probability and statistics will be helpful to the reader of this paper and essential to one who pursues the bibhography

Decision-oriented frameworks for management information systems design

Abstract Despite the rapid growth in the use of computers in organizations, few of the resulting systems have had a significant impact on the way in which management makes decisions. Frameworks are needed which aid in understanding the structure of management information systems, toward providing focus and improving the effectiveness of systems efforts. This paper surveys recent conceptual and empirical work related to development of decision-oriented frameworks for management information systems design, particularly as related to the improving the management of organizations.

An evaluation of computerized accounting practice sets

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss computerized practice sets for accounting principles and a method for evaluating them. Criteria for selecting and evaluating computerized practice sets are identified. An evaluation of 10 actual computerized practice sets is presented.

Using Linear Programming to Design Oil Pollution Detection Schedules

Abstract This paper presents a flight scheduling system for sensor (infra-red and ultra-violet) equipped aircraft whose mission is the detection and prevention of harbor and coastal oil and hazardous material pollution. The aircraft scheduling model is a form of the stochastic traveling salesman problem which can be solved using linear programming. The objective of the model is to maximize the expected number of pollution incidents detected per pollution flight. The model requires as input parameters representing probabilities of pollution incidents occurring for different geographical sectors. These parameters are estimated using coastal and harbor shipping statistics for petroleum and hazardous material. The shipping statistics considered include movement of petroleum products along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts as well as the movement of such commodities in the intra-coastal waterway system and the Great Lakes. Particular port characteristics and past pollution incident statistics are also used...