The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Computerization In India

As early as 1955, computerization work started with the installation of HEC – 2m computer system imported from UK, at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Calcutta. ISI also acquired a Soviet built computer URAL – I as gift in 1958. The first indigenous computer was designed in 1964 by ISI, Calcutta in collaboration with Jadhavpur University, Calcutta. During the introductory phase period (1955 – 64) as many as sixteen computers were installed in different parts of India. During the period 1966 – 72 the process of computerization speeded up with the installation of one hundred and seventy more computer systems, although most of them were imported from the Western countries. Later particularly during 1980s, many institutions/organizations started using computers. The advent of affordable and powerful micro – computer is responsible for the upsurge in the in the usage of computers in India.
As far as use of computers for library work is concerned, INSDOC was the leader in experimenting with computers for their application in documentation and information work in 1964. The first application was to computerize the author and subject

It is a well known fact that considerable human and financial resources are utilized in launching upon automation project. In this connection has rightly observed that “no body can deny the advantages of automation, but in developing countries like India, its adoption has to be done with caution, as some of the 93 huge installations may prove to be white elephants, surplus manpower, over –population and unemployment.” Hence, enough care has to be taken at each every stage of the project. Ignoring or overtaking even a minute aspect may later prove to be serious. Broadly speaking the various aspects involved in automation project, viewed from the angle of System Development Cycle, may be grouped under the following three