On teleprocessing system design, Part I: Characteristic problems

Because a teleprocessing system is characterized by a multiplicity of unscheduled inputs, performance predictions are somewhat more difficult to make than in the case of the batch-processing system. Nevertheless, probability and queuing theory can be used to analyze various subsystems within the total system. The nature of a teleprocessing system is outlined, and the subsystems most deserving of mathematical analysis are isolated. The advantage of direct mathematical solutions for systems design, where applicable, is that results can be obtained rapidly and inexpensively, often without even running a computer program. The advantage of using digital simulation is that the peculiarities of a proposed teleprocessing system can be modeled more accurately and therefore evaluated more completely. The advantages of using the two methods together are twofold. Formulas can be useful when it is still. premature to write a simulation model. Later, they can be helpful in targeting the parameter spaces of most interest, thereby cutting down on simulator running time.