IBM 3740 Data Entry System was a data entry system that was announced by IBM in 1973. It recorded data on an 8" diskette, a new recording medium from IBM, for fast, flexible, efficient data entry to either high-production, centralized operations or to decentralized, remote operations. The "Diskette" was more commonly known as an 8-inch floppy disk.
History
The system was announced in January, 1973; became available in the second quarter of that year; and was withdrawn from marketing in December, 1983. It was developed by IBM's General Systems Division facility in Rochester, Minnesota. The IBM 3740 system was intended to replace the traditional unit record equipment, using the IBM card.
Configuration
The IBM 3740 system consisted of the following equipment: IBM 3741 Data Station (four models) IBM 3742 Dual Data Station (designed for 'heads-down' data entry) IBM 3747 Data Converter (diskette feeder which holds up to 20 diskettes to be converted to the half-inch tape used by the computing system (mainframe) or optionally distributed by data network or telephone communications send and receive.) IBM 3713 Printer (for matrix printing on fan-fold or individually fed cut-sheet paper at up to 40 characters a second) IBM 3715 Printer (for bi-directional matrix printing on fan-fold or individually fed cut-sheet paper at 40 or 80 characters per second with an option of up to 120 characters per second offered.) IBM 3717 Printer (a fast line printer capable of 120 to 155 lines per minute) IBM 3540 Diskette Input/Output Unit (held up to 20 diskettes, for input to/output from mainframe computers such as IBM System/360 or System/370 and mid-range computers such as IBM System/3, IBM System/36 and IBM System/38.)
The configuration is the exclusive responsibility of the company employees who have determined which portions of the company will need data distribution products, how many and for which portions of their business environment. Of course, the expense of their decision might play heavily into the final configuration(s) purchased.
When configuring the component equipment for the office complex might consist of several data stations with or without printers attached. Some of the larger offices would likely have similar configuration plus a data converter and a larger printer available on one of the work stations. If a large office complex is available and the data handling capability is needed, then a large number of dual data stations could be used along with possibly another data converter and a line printer attached to an IBM 3741 Data Station which is used by the lead person in charge of the operators of the dual work stations. More lead person single stations may be necessary depending on the company and the environment.
Equipment
The IBM 3740 System was designed to make the station independent of the system for which the data was being collected. The work station could be placed in varied environments to allow on-location data entry according to the needs of the user. The dual work station offered an almost double capacity for locations with heavy data entry requirements. The system offered enhancements to provide interaction with mainframe computers as needed, including a Data Converter and an in/out transfer capability with the computer over the data network. In addition local print capability at 40 cps for some of the models of the IBM 3741 as well as options to go up to 80 cps or even 120 cps on these units makes the system even more usable.
IBM 3741 Data Station
The IBM 3741 Data Station is a work station which is similar in size to a small office desk - large enough to afford some personal space for the operator, yet small enough to allow many stations in smaller office spaces. The floppy disk drive was conveniently located on the work station and the height of the table is ergonomically determined for the convenience of the operator. The data could be written to the floppy diskette and later transmitted over data cables or telephone to the place where it was ultimately stored or used. Or the data diskettes could be transported physically to the location of its destination. Gone were the noisy key punch machines and drawers of cards to be transported to a reader for input to the computer system.