Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): The electronic exchange of business transaction data between organizations in lieu of paper documents.

Electronic Mail (E-Mail): computers and networks.

Sending and receiving messages via

Encryption: A method to render plain text unintelligible for those who do not have the proper key(s) to access it.

Ethernet: A local area network technology for offices, buildings and small campuses which transports data between computers at a high rate.

Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI): A high speed (10 times faster than Ethernet) fiber optic transmission technology. Used in the House for backbone networks and in the CAPNET network to interconnect the Legislative Branch organizations.

FileMaker: Macintosh computer software designed for management and manipulation of files.

Frame Relay: A high-speed data transmission technology for moving data between distant computers. H.I.S. uses this technology for its LAN/WAN service interconnecting MicroMIN LANS in Washington and districts.

Integrated Systems and Information Services (ISIS): The H.I.S.designed system that seamlessly links office systems and central H.I.S. systems and databases to provide sophisticated integrated information services.

Internet: The global network of networks. There are two levels of Internet facility; (1) its communication facilities allow people to exchange E-Mail messages, and participate in news groups, discussion forums, etc. and; (2) its information archives and computing resources allow sharing of data and facilities. The U.S. Internet usually refers to the interconnection of university networks using the TCP/IP communications protocol providing such service as electronic computers, database access, etc. The Internet is connected to the Bitnet and to NREN. Future Internet services will include audio and video transmission and multimedia communications.

Just Another Menu (JAM): The commercial client software system used to provide ISIS access for low-end PC and Macintosh users and for UNIX-based office system users.

Kermit: Personal computer communications software.

Laser Printer: Printing device which uses laser (light beam) technology and features high-speed printing.

Clerk report data.

Inventory worksheets were generated for each unit, and worksheet files were converted to an inventory system. DEPARTMENT OF OFFICE FURNISHINGS (DOF). Old furniture, carpet, and drapes, no longer in use by the House, are often shipped to GSA. In the past, this manual process was controlled by DOF personnel. New software developed this year allows users to select item names from the DOF inventory for shipment to GSA. addition, descriptions of selected items can be viewed together, combined into shipments, printed as transmittal documents, and maintained as shipment histories. The Star warehouse was split into two entities to allow the DOF staff to locate a specific piece of furniture more quickly.

In

OFFICE SUPPLY SERVICE (OSS). The requirements analysis for a new OSS system was completed. H.I.S. recommended that Provar, a computer systems integrator located in Baltimore, be awarded the contract, and the Director of Non-Legislative and Financial Services concurred. The new system will be operational in January, 1994.

OFFICE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (OSM). Development and unit testing of the entire OSM system is nearly complete. Validation of the entire system has begun. It will provide imaging, work-inprocess functionality, and increased capabilities. The integration of Rumba PC communications software and ViewStar created a seamless interface between the new system and the imaging capabilities provided by ViewStar. The Monarch barcode system was integrated and tested within the new OSM.

Specialized software was developed to allow outgoing Members to complete district purchases. Beginning in October 1993, OSM software will be moved to production status. Changes were made to OSM so that FY 92 funds could be charged against the same Member account after redistricting.

HOUSE BEAUTY SALON. The Salon system was modified so that the Beauty Shop can begin to use its computer system to manage inventory, sales, money, and audit controls. The system also provides an automated report function. In addition, the application was migrated to the Windows (FoxPro) platform. Extensive redesign of the screens and functionality was completed.

SERGEANT AT ARMS. A task group chaired by H.I.S. staff participated with personnel from the U.S. Senate, Architect, Library of Congress, and the Capitol Police provided the Sergeant at Arms with a recommendation for the procurement of an ID-Badging/Access-Control system for the U.S. House of

Representatives. Further integration will be planned between all Capitol-Hill agencies. H.I.S. also assisted this office with the printing of 103d Congress identification cards.

H.I.S. provides a system for the entry of payroll deduction records used in the production of Member Payroll. Additionally, H.I.S. provides a system to report treasury check information for Member Payroll.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

CD-ROM. H.I.S. procured a CD-ROM tower, consisting of a CD server and 21 individual CD-ROM drives accessible to offices across the Ethernet backbone. Applications on the tower include the U.S. Code, computer-related research, a national telephone lookup databases, mainframe documentation, census data, grants information, and technical support information. We collaborated with the JCP on recording the U.S. Code and other legal and legislative databases on CD-ROMs.

A demonstration of Banking Committee Hearings on CD-ROM was provided to the Joint Committee on Printing. Other House applications included the archival of historical House vouchers on CD-ROM. In 1994, the Finance Office and OTS will begin receiving data on CD-ROM.

IMAGING. H.I.S. continued to investigate imaging applications including standalone and networked document imaging, as well as image-enabling existing applications. Implementation of FDDI will provide the bandwidth needed to support House imaging applications as they are developed and delivered. H.I.S. assisted the House Placement Office and the House Press Gallery with implementation of their Papergate Document Imaging Systems. MULTIMEDIA. A functional touch-screen prototype demonstration information system was completed, using the services of H.I.S., the House Recording Studio, the Library of Congress Audio/Visual Unit, and the Office of Special Services in the Capitol. The House Historian is also interested in participating in this project. This prototype was designed to enable users to find information about their respective Members. A committee module shows the jurisdiction and members of each committee. A video tour of the Capitol uses video clips to educate visitors about various areas in the Capitol. This module is especially valuable for senior citizens or the physically challenged who might not be able to take the standard walking tour.

BAR-CODE TECHNOLOGY. H.I.S. assisted the Department of Office Furnishings in implementing a bar-coding system for improved inventory control. The new Office Systems Management application further embraces bar-code technology by integrating the bar-code as a means of equipment identification and inventory control. The Sergeant At Arms' ID-Badging system can also utilize barcoding for parking control and verification.

Clerk report data.

Inventory worksheets were generated for each unit, and worksheet files were converted to an inventory system. DEPARTMENT OF OFFICE FURNISHINGS (DOF). Old furniture, carpet, and drapes, no longer in use by the House, are often shipped to GSA. In the past, this manual process was controlled by DOF personnel. New software developed this year allows users to select item names from the DOF inventory for shipment to GSA. addition, descriptions of selected items can be viewed together, combined into shipments, printed as transmittal documents, and maintained as shipment histories. The Star warehouse was split into two entities to allow the DOF staff to locate a specific piece of furniture more quickly.

In

OFFICE SUPPLY SERVICE (OSS). The requirements analysis for a new OSS system was completed. H.I.S. recommended that ProVar, a computer systems integrator located in Baltimore, be awarded the contract, and the Director of Non-Legislative and Financial Services concurred. The new system will be operational in January, 1994.

OFFICE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT (OSM). Development and unit testing of the entire OSM system is nearly complete. Validation of the entire system has begun. It will provide imaging, work-inprocess functionality, and increased capabilities. The integration of Rumba PC communications software and ViewStar created a seamless interface between the new system and the imaging capabilities provided by ViewStar. The Monarch barcode system was integrated and tested within the new OSM.

Specialized software was developed to allow outgoing Members to complete district purchases. Beginning in October 1993, OSM software will be moved to production status. Changes were made to OSM so that FY 92 funds could be charged against the same Member account after redistricting.

HOUSE BEAUTY SALON. The Salon system was modified so that the Beauty Shop can begin to use its computer system to manage inventory, sales, money, and audit controls. The system also provides an automated report function. In addition, the application was migrated to the Windows (FoxPro) platform. Extensive redesign of the screens and functionality was completed.

SERGEANT AT ARMS. A task group chaired by H.I.S. staff participated with personnel from the U.S. Senate, Architect, Library of Congress, and the Capitol Police provided the Sergeant at Arms with a recommendation for the procurement of an ID-Badging/Access-Control system for the U.S. House of

Representatives.

Further integration will be planned between all Capitol-Hill agencies. H.I.S. also assisted this office with the printing of 103d Congress identification cards.

H.I.S. provides a system for the entry of payroll deduction records used in the production of Member Payroll. Additionally, H.I.S. provides a system to report treasury check information for Member Payroll.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

CD-ROM. H.I.S. procured a CD-ROM tower, consisting of a CD server and 21 individual CD-ROM drives accessible to offices across the Ethernet backbone. Applications on the tower include the U.S. Code, computer-related research, a national telephone lookup databases, mainframe documentation, census data, grants information, and technical support information. We collaborated with the JCP on recording the U.S. Code and other legal and legislative databases on CD-ROMs.

A demonstration of Banking Committee Hearings on CD-ROM was provided to the Joint Committee on Printing. Other House applications included the archival of historical House vouchers on CD-ROM. In 1994, the Finance Office and OTS will begin receiving data on CD-ROM.

IMAGING. H.I.S. continued to investigate imaging applications including standalone and networked document imaging, as well as image-enabling existing applications. Implementation of FDDI will provide the bandwidth needed to support House imaging applications as they are developed and delivered. H.I.S. assisted the House Placement Office and the House Press Gallery with implementation of their Papergate Document Imaging Systems. MULTIMEDIA. A functional touch-screen prototype demonstration information system was completed, using the services of H.I.S., the House Recording Studio, the Library of Congress Audio/Visual Unit, and the Office of Special Services in the Capitol. The House Historian is also interested in participating in this project. This prototype was designed to enable users to find information about their respective Members. A committee module shows the jurisdiction and members of each committee. A video tour of the Capitol uses video clips to educate visitors about various areas in the Capitol. This module is especially valuable for senior citizens or the physically challenged who might not be able to take the standard walking tour.

BAR-CODE TECHNOLOGY. H.I.S. assisted the Department of Office Furnishings in implementing a bar-coding system for improved inventory control. The new Office Systems Management application further embraces bar-code technology by integrating the bar-code as a means of equipment identification and inventory control. The Sergeant At Arms' ID-Badging system can also utilize barcoding for parking control and verification.