I
Thursday, October 25, 1973
Of the department's non-technical activities, the need for
computers appears greatest in the Waterworks Office whose clientele is
as large, if not larger, than any other public utility undertaking in
Hong Kong.
The spokesman said it was envisaged that computerisation would
be applied to customer billing, the application and installation of water
meters, and related statistical and administrative work.
"This will out down the amount of time required for processing
information to the public, thus avoiding delays, and reduce the heavy
workload."
On the engineering side, which impinges on many aspects of the
department's work, the consultants will be making recommendations on
technological applications
engineering problems.
that is, utilising computers to solve
Whether the work is in structural or mechanical and electrical
engineering, the use of computers saves time and eliminates human errors
in calculations, which are usually done by simpler instruments such as the
slide-rule. The time saved can be used to present a wider range of design
options, and thus improve the quality of technical design.
The consultants are also investigating the advantages of project
management with computers for all sections of the Public Works Department.
In the Architectural Office, for example, where there can be at
one time as many as 8,000 maintenance contracts, it is essential to keep an
up-to-date schedule and accurate costing of the jobs being handled.
/The computer