Page 60 - Remembering ISTEL
P. 60
Remembering ISTEL
SPEEDVIEW (Decision Support Systems Division.)
SPEEDVIEW is a sophisticated electronic noticeboard developed within ISTEL.
It is essentially computer-controlled teletext.
In its simplest form, pages of information are carouselled in a pre-determined
sequence within a defined length of time. In its more complex form,
SPEEDVIEW has the ability to incorporate individual addressability, and
individual pages can be sent to different screens.
If required, SPEEDVIEW can be fully- interactive. Pages of information can be
downloaded from CEEFAX, Oracle and Prestel and incorporated into the
system, and newsflashes can be broadcast when required.
STAR (Commercial Division.)
STAR - Services Tender Analysis and Re- porting - has been designed to assist
with competitive tendering for support ser- vices.
Developed in association with a consortium of Health Authorities, STAR offers
a cost-effective method of constructing, comparing and monitoring both
internal and external contracts, and meets DHSS requirements.
STAR is based on the DEC VAX range of
mini-computers and provides features such as an integrated database of all
hospital services, menu selection, full security procedures and word processing.
VIEWSHARE (Commercial Division.)
Viewshare is a private Viewdata system operated by ISTEL as a bureau service.
It is supported by Infotrac, ISTEL's own private telephone network.
Viewdata is the term used to describe Videotex screen-based communications
systems, which provide instantaneous ac- cess to large amounts of information
held on a centralised computer databank.
ISTEL's Viewshare can provide a simple information enquiry system not
dissimilar to CEEFAX and Oracle, up to a fully interactive system where a user
can not only receive but also transmit information.
Viewshare is ideally suited to applications such as reservation systems, order
submission, stock control and branch reporting.
VISIT (Decision Support Systems Division)
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