What was the WAITS Computer system operated by Washington University?
The WAITS System, also known as the Washington University Information System, was a computer system developed in the 1960s and 1970s at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. It was designed to provide a comprehensive, integrated computing environment for the university's academic and administrative functions.
The history of WAITS can be traced back to the early 1960s, when Washington University began exploring the use of computers for administrative and academic purposes. In 1964, the university established a Computer Center and began installing its first computer system, an IBM 1620. Over the next few years, the university expanded its computing capabilities with the addition of several other systems, including an IBM 360/67 and a CDC 6600.
In the late 1960s, the university began developing WAITS, which was designed to integrate all of the university's computer systems into a single, centralized system. WAITS was built using a combination of custom-developed software and commercial software, including the IBM's OS/360 operating system and the COBOL programming language.
WAITS was implemented in phases, with the first phase going live in 1970. The system was designed to provide a range of services, including student records, financial aid, payroll, and accounting. It also included a campus-wide network that allowed students and faculty to access the system from terminals located in academic departments and dormitories.
WAITS was continuously updated and expanded over the years to meet the changing needs of the university. In the 1980s, the university began migrating WAITS to a new platform, using UNIX and Oracle database software. The system continued to evolve until it was eventually replaced by a modern enterprise resource planning system in the early 2000s.
The implementation of WAITS was a significant achievement for Washington University, as it provided a powerful and flexible computing environment that supported the university's academic and administrative functions for many years. It also served as a model for other universities, which looked to WAITS as an example of how to implement a comprehensive computing system.