University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Administrative Information Services.

Administrative Information Services was first established in 1967 as Administrative Data Processing. Its primary function was to provide the computer equipment, personnel, and services to process administrative data for university departments. Erwin M. Danziger was its first director and served until 1989.

From the description of Records of the Administrative Information Services, 1965-1998. WorldCat record id: 263692725

Administrative Data Processing (ADP) was established by Chancellor J. Carlyle Sitterson on 12 June 1967. It developed out of a need to convert the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's accounting systems and procedures to a computerized system. Previous to ADP's formation, the computation and data processing needs of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were performed by Electronic Data Processing Systems, a section of the university's Computation Center. The Computation Center had been established in 1959 primarily to assist faculty in analyzing research data.

At its inception, Administrative Data Processing operated under the Division of Academic Affairs, and its director reported directly to the provost. Later it moved to the Division of Business and Finance and reported to the vice chancellor for business and finance. On 9 May 1996, its name changed to Administrative Information Services. Administrative Data Processing's primary function was to provide the computer equipment, personnel, and services to process administrative data for university departments. Working with individual departments and offices, ADP would assess the need for, then purchase or develop the appropriate system to complete the needed task. ADP would also train personnel to operate the system, provide service as necessary, and document the project for the department.

One of the major issues encountered by Administrative Data Processing was budgetary constraint, especially its inability to compete with other employers in the computing industry regarding salaries for computer programmers and the resulting effects on employee retention and morale. Other issues included data security, departmental growth and logistical limitations, and keeping up with the overall computing needs of a large American university.

From the guide to the Administrative Information Services of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Records, 1965-1998, (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives.)