Minutes of the LEO Management Meeting, 28th August 1959. Minutes of the LEO Management Meeting, 28th August 1959.

Transcript :

CONFIDENTIAL

Minutes of the LEO Management Meeting
Friday 28th August 1959

PRESENT: Mr Anthony Salmon, Mr Simmons, Mr Barnes, Mr Caminer

Machine Operation Progress Report

LEO II/5
3.2 Hudson's Bay
It was reported that re-programming was proceeding satisfactorily and that it was planned to run the first programme on the first set of data received for the September sale by Monday. It was not expected that there would be anything like the July volume of discrepancies to clear up on this occasion as it had been firmly impressed on Mandeville that the punching must be verified

3.3 Glyn Mills
It was confirmed that we had been able fully to meet our undertaking to Glyn Mills and there was no reason to believe that we would not be able to complete the Army officers taken-on by the date agreed. Mr Caminer pointed out, however, that the problem of computer running time remained. There seemed no doubt but that, notwithstanding changes that might be made, the running time would much exceed our estimates.

3.7 (iii) Magnetic Drum
Mr Barnes reported that the re-write of the clock reacks had been undertaken by our own staff and it was hoped to have the drum in commission again early in the following week. He referred to the fact that both drums would be wanted together for a job in early September. Mr Caminer undertook to investigate. Mr Barnes reported, too, on other steps that were being taken to familiarise our engineers with Ferranti drum maintenance problems.

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Data Preparation

4.3 Document Reader
The difficulties experienced by Hogarth Press were noted. Mr Barnes undertook to obtain the facts on this for the next meeting.

Capital Budget for C.D.

It was agreed that a detailed budget should be circulated by Mr Barnes for prototype C.D. showing the capital expenditure for the two years concerned. It was also agreed that, in the meantime, Mr Simmons should inform Mr Blackaby that approximately £130,000 was involved. To accompany the capital budget for C.D. to the parent Company, Profit and Loss budgets would also be prepared for Y/e 1961 and Y/e March 1962. The budget would be prepared on two bases:

1) A sale of 2 or more LEO IIC (i.e. Ford and ITC) and orders for 3 C.D. to be worked on in Y/c March 1962.
2) A sale of 3 more LEO IIC (i.e. Ford and ITC and Ilford) and orders for 4 C.D. to be worked on in Y/c March 1962.

Mr Barnes undertook to prepare the figures for Minerva Road in respect of these budgets.

Service Stations

Mr Anthony drew attention to Mr Caminer's reference to service stations in his note on the 'Announcement of C.D.'. There followed a discussion on the organisational structure best suited to running an 'Operating' business successfully. It was agreed that this matter should be discussed more fully on a later occasion.

It was noted that the prototype C.D. should be available for service working in about 2 years. It was agreed that after the initial period when its performance was being studied there was no reason why it should have to stay in London.

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Official Opening

Mr Caminer enquiried as to whether any response had been received with regard to the Official Opening of Hartree House. Mr Anthony undertook to enquire.

Stewarts & Lloyds Advertisement

It was agreed that Mr Simmons should write to thank Mr Castle for Stewarts & Lloyds generous mention of LEO.

Van Lettering

It was agreed that 'Automatic Office' should appear in the wording. Mr Barnes undertook to circulate the Normand Limited colour wash.

Sanction for Expenditure

Mr Barnes obtained sanction for the following expenditure:-
LEO II/9: Tape decks and control panel -- £269
LEO II/10: Delay box and tubes -- £1,151

Provenance :
Collected by Peter Bird.