Introduction to MA Archive
The Michael Aldrich Archive consists mainly of original material from Michael Aldrich’s personal papers and his own later narrative.
Most of the case studies, which mainly report the projects at organisations that were then, and still are now, household names, are taken from ‘Information Management’ the journal of ROCC, the company which he founded and ran for many years.
The Archive Index
Innovative Information Systems
Includes a broad mix of projects that Michael Aldrich was involved with in the 1980s as organisations struggled to make their information assets more accessible to their workforces in order to improve efficiency, productivity, customer service and, ultimately, profitability. Here can be found pioneering systems in computer-based distance learning, teleworking, executive information systems, information collection and retrieval and interactive retail stock control, major event management, hospital and community information systems etc.
Teleputers and Cable Systems
Describes the 1980 invention of the Teleputer home/office workstation, a fusion of PC, TV and Telecom, and the 1981 plan to change UK law to permit the use of interactive broadband cable networks to serve Michael Aldrich’s vision of the wired community. He developed the concept of IT as a participative, mass communication medium through the use of videotex technology, a concept that was not fully realised until 30 years later with social networking and the Apple Inc iPhone 3G.
Data Capture 1977-2000
Is an examination of the world of data capture that was an intrinsic part of the old world of data processing in the era before the PC arrived to put a computer on every desk. That was industrialised data processing. Data capture originally was piece-work based and organized in tightly managed production units. Look carefully and you will see one of the antecedents of the modern-day call centre. Michael Aldrich examines the evolution in data capture from keying information to electronically scanning forms to collect information electronically. He was an innovator in the old world of computing and one of the inventors of the new world of IT.
Pioneers of Online Shopping
Is about the invention and early application of online shopping, contemporary e-commerce and e-business in 1979.
The Human Factor 1977-2000
Is a review of employment and health and safety issues.
Eastern Europe 1977-2000
Looks at markets that at one point represented 30% of ROCC’s business during the Cold War.