Technology Utilization Network System (TUNS): Overview and technical description

摘要

The proposed Technology Utilization Network System (TUNS) is intended to provide the benefits of current office automation technology in the capture, evaluation, and dissemination activities of technology transfer. TUNS will include PCs at each TU-related office, one or more central computers, and networking which connects the central computer and all of the PCs. Each location will have a variety of software packages to meet the needs of users at that site. Each PC will be able to operate independently, connected to a local network, and/or as a workstation connected to the central computer facility. Communications facilities will be available to allow each PC to transmit and receive data as necessary. TUNS must be designed with both the overall goals of the NASA Technology Utilization Division and the particular reponsibilities of the end users in mind. This will require a system which is technologically current and capable of evolutionary growth as the state of office automation changes. The demonstration model being presented is intended to show how modern technology can be utilized in making technology transfer more efficient. The TUNS demonstration model is a PC-based system to meet the data processing, communication, and office automation needs of the entire NASA TU community. The TUNS demonstration model addresses these design goals in several ways: use of latest industry standard personal computers, use of off-the-shelf office automation software, and use of a modern data base management system for data capture and retrieval functions, thus providing data independence. The ultimate functional and technical definition of TUNS as an operational system is yet to be determined.