From Adding Machines To Computers

Burroughs Australia interest in the Islands began in the early 1950 s when sales of adding machines and cash registers were made in Fiji. The marketing and servicing of this equipment was carried out by field engineers who reported directly to Burroughs Australia head office in Sydney.

However, due to the growth of sales and the intro duction of more technically-advanced equipment, the Fiji operations began in January 1972, to report to one of the Burroughs marketing/servicing branches in Sydney.

In 1972, Mr Don Hardman, now branch manager, Rockhampton, was appointed salesfservice manager in Fiji and with the support and guidance of Mr R. Gooch in the Sydney South West branch, sold the first Burroughs “office computer ” (Series L visible record computer) in Fiji. Each year since 1972 has seen increas ing sales of L Series computers to today where about 40 such machines have now been installed or are on order.

Emphasis has been placed on the availability of proven software which minimises the effort by the cus tomer to get the machine to produce the results he wants.

Also, these machines incorporate a higher degree of electronic circuitry, improving their reliability.

These Series L machines have been sold to a diversi fied range of users, both commercial, government and local government authorities.

Also, a Series L has been donated to the University of the South Pacific in Fiji and this will train students in the writing of computer programmes.

Besides Series L machines, adding machines and electronic calculators, Burroughs has also been success ful with the marketing of larger, “mainframe", com puters.

Two mainframes, B 700 models, have been installed by the Fiji Sugar Corporation. The corporation has also installed equipment to prepare data for subsequent processing on the B 700 s.

Fiji operations are today directed by Mr Peter Hales, manager, South Pacific Islands, and he is supported by another Australian Mr J. Gorman, who has combined sales and field engineering responsibilities.

Sales and field engineering personnel have been re cruited from among Fiji residents.

These Fiji citizens receive training at the Burroughs Pacific Area Training Centre, Sydney, followed by practical experience with one of the Sydney branches.

As regards activities outside Fiji, three Series L machines, will be installed in the Gilbert Islands with personnel from there being trained in programming and field engineering so that they will be able to support these machines.

However, if and when necessary, additional support will be forthcoming from Fiji.

Other Pacific areas where Burroughs has done busi ness include Nauru and Western Samoa (handled by Burroughs New Zealand).