THE AUTOMATED MEDICAL SUPPLY FORECASTING SYSTEM USAISC, FT. DETRICK

Abstract

The Automated Medical Supply Forecasting System involves the automation of the existing manual New Item Entry procedures. This new automated system was designed to support decisions in the management of new requirements for medical equipment and supplies for the Airforce, Army, Navy, and the Defense Personnel Support Center (DPSC). It will focus on improving the accuracy of the services' peacetime and war reserve requirements passed to DPSC by increasing communications between the parties involved. The Forecasting System was designed using prototyping. Prototyping is an evolving, changing process where both the functional group and computer personnel are involved in developing the proposed system. The functional group is constantly testing and modifying the prototyped version of the system, "shaping" it into a system that performs the intended functions. This proves advantageous in several ways. One way is that it allows the system to be developed faster and more accurately because of the increased communication between the computer personnel and the functional group. Another advantage is that prototyping allows for a smooth transition from a manual system to an automated system because the end users are constantly gaining knowledge about the system by assisting with the development and implementation. The data collected in the design of the Forecasting System is contained on the following pages. It has been arranged to initially provide the reader with an overview of the steps performed in designing and developing thesystem. Then each individual component of the actual design and development are discussed in more detail.