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Describes the results of research carried out in a large commercial telecommunications organisation where the information systems group was undergoing a change from developing systems in a traditional third generation environment to a fourth generation development environment. Exposes a number of difficulties, notably ′people problems′ associated with innovation. Concludes that even where the technical aspects should lead to increased efficiency, this might not be the end result.

Classifies the critical knowledge/skill set according to content or domain of knowledge by means of a survey. This is conducted in accordance with what IS practitioners and educators can easily relate. The survey uses this approach and includes four broad categories of critical Information Systems (IS) knowledge/skills: IS technology knowledge/skills, organizational and societal knowledge/skills, interpersonal knowledge/skills, and personal trait knowledge/skills.

Lancaster University was a pioneer in library automation in the early 1970s. The last ten years have seen a consolidation of these early systems, a change to a more effective circulation system, and gradual enhancements. Lack of funding has impeded further developments, but has now led to the development of a strategy which it is hoped will lead to the creation of a ‘future‐proof’ environment based on in‐house developed software using the Pick operating system.

The application of the results of research into Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the everyday use of computers has been highlighted by projects for the Fifth Generation Computer.

The CROLIST integrated library system was developed in‐house by the National and University Library in Zagreb to meet both its own needs and those of the wider library community in Croatia. It has been distributed to over 150 libraries in the country and an English language version is now available under the name of UNILIB. The article describes the standards on which the system is based and highlights key features of each module.

Despite the rapid growth in the implementation of sophisticated software‐based control systems, today’s process industries still rely heavily on sensors and associated conditioning electronics to provide accurate data from the processes. While most instrumentation manufacturers have focused their attention on products and system software beyond such front end signal conditioning, Status Instruments have decided to invest in the design of a highly versatile front end conditioning module which can be adapted to meet an ever increasing number of applications simply by downloading a new piece of software from their Web site.

Discusses experiences on the development and use of horizontal and vertical prototypes. Explains the difference. Resolves that horizontal prototypes can be developed with ′little effort′, but end users are reluctant to become involved in the development process. Contrastingly resolves that vertical prototypes appear to stimulate constructive response. Reasons that developers should be aware of the tacit knowledge which plays an important part in users′ work practices and should be involved early in the development process. Proposes three techniques to meet the requirements – participation, simulation and evaluation.

The retail software situation is changing rapidly. A large number of different suppliers are developing software to support their hardware, and a wider range of complete systems is coming on to the market, many of them at prices that make installation realistic. And the availability of fourth generation languages is an added plus.

The design of systems by end users using 4 GLs was examined in seven organisations. Topics researched were reasons for 4GL adoption, systems design approaches, end‐user direct involvement and business issues raised by 4GLs. Results showed that very few end users directly used any of the 4GLs nor had DP management even considered end users when choosing a 4GL. Some changes in DP environment were found, but surprisingly most of the organisations still used structured design methodologies. The impact of the 4GL in business competitiveness was positive in all of the private‐sector companies and generally the use of 4GLs had improved DP department credibility. Most DP managers are not encouraging end‐user involvement with the 4GL and further research is required to determine end‐user requirements and why prototyping is not more widely used in systems design.

Property management systems have traditionally been developed using high level languages such as COBOL and BASIC; and these systems have emulated the paper‐based systems they were designed to replace. That is, essentially they have employed structures based upon the concept of storing information in the form of files and records. In recent years, however, two related software developments have emerged which have provided an alternative solution to the problem of creating effective, efficient property management systems at a reasonable cost: fourth generation languages (4GLs) and database management systems (DBMSs). This paper illustrates how these concepts may be employed to provide systems that enable property managers to manipulate information as a resource. In addition, the potential for storing map information in digital form is highlighted.