50 THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT

has been gained. However, it seems appropriate here to sum-
marize the contribution of the COM in terms of its impact on the
data processor, the information user, and our Records Manage-
ment Program.

What does COM do for a data processing installation? The
COM will increase computer efficiency from seventy-five to ninety
percent by writing directly on magnetic tape, bypassing the line
printer. One microfilm installation has been justified on a run
that required less than one computer hour for printing on the
impact printer. With COM, it is no longer necessary to misuse
the computer as a printing press. More than 115 computer hours
are saved each month in the Annapolis and Baltimore Data Cen-
ters through the use of the COM print option. By preparing a
COM formatted tape, computer output becomes input to an in-
formation system that increases data accessibility and usefulness.

What does COM do for the information user? The COM
quickly generates micro-images on film — film that is econom-
ically duplicated and quickly distributed to the user. The film
can be coded to speed retrieval and viewers are now available
that can satisfy the most sophisticated applications.

The COM program has developed to such an extent that the
Records Management Division is now supporting large volume,
high access information systems. In-house COM capability will
permit this service to grow in volume and improve in quality.
The conversion of magnetic tape directly to microfilm made it
unnecessary to create 6,000 cubic feet of paper records this year.

Many of the significant decisions on records programs are
now being made by data processing systems analysts. The COM
program requires the close cooperation of this Division and the
data processing organizations and permits records managers to
participate in the design and development of computer-based
records programs.

The engineering drawing project also was begun late in the
year. We purchased a Kodak MRG-1 precision camera in April
for operation in the Baltimore Record Center. Considerable delay
was encountered because of incorrect product specifications for
electrical power and unsatisfactory camera resolution.

This project was originally intended to microfilm the plans
of schools and public structures used by the Fire Marshal, the