National Westminster Bank mass storage archiving

The application went on line in June 1977 and handled the full inquiry load a few weeks later. Performance was analyzed after six months to determine the system's effect on users. Response time was found to be better than expected, with many inquiries being processed in less than five minutes, as the mean record retrieval rate usually was below 1000 records per hour. The fast response apparently was due to two factors: there was a noticeable reduction in hard-copy requests, which often had been made as backup for on-line requests, and MSS availability was better than expected. A certain amount of redundancy had been allowed for in the MSS configuration but was rarely needed. Data availability also proved to be excellent, with no cases of unreadable records and only one or two cases of mechanical damage to cartridges. It is not yet known what the inquiry rate will be for data more than three years old. That rate will determine the residual work load of the microfilm bureau. However, the primary objectives of the application-substantial cost savings and improved service to customers-have been amply fulfilled.