manual typewriter. The two men operate Real Data Systems, a North Vancouver com- pany formed three years ago to supply computer software and hardware to other companies seek- 38 - Sunday, May 6, 1990 - North Shore News DR. JACEK Lipowski and Larry Oliver view paper and clipboard with the same disdainful eyes that writers, ir- revocably plugged into wordprocessing technology, view the ing to automate data collection and data processing. Lipowski takes his software design and technical implementa- tion expertise to the shop floor and BUSINESS the sales room. Real Data’s focus is handheld computers. Applications made possible with software developed by the com- pany include sales staff remote order entry, the automation of route delivery drivers, automated inventory systems and control of fixed industrial applications such as security or equipment inspec- tion. At the shop floor level, informa- tion gathered might include data about work in progress, inventory, staff time and attendance. Said Oliver, ‘‘In many cases it’s still paperwork to gather this in- formation. People are collecting this data using clipboards, using forms and then someone types this data into computers, transferring it from PCs into mainframes.” Meanwhile in the sales arena, the handheld technology promises efficient transactions. Typically, a person selling food to a restaurant chain might ap- proach a client with order book in hand, write out the order on an order pad and then deliver that back to a keypunch operator, who keys it into the system for process- ing. But said Oliver, ‘‘Now we create an electronic order pad on a hand -held computer. The sales person keys in the order numbers of the items needed, hooks the computer to a telephone and via modem the order is directly transferred into the main computer. All that in be- Local firm helps others cut down on paperwork north shore high tech Michael Becker tween stuff is eliminated.” To make it even friendlier, a bar code scanner can be attached to the handheld computer. The sell- er’s order book is bar-coded. Items are scanned and ordered. Lipowski describes appropriate applications software as ‘‘the miss- ing person of almost all data col- lection activities.’ Said Lipowski, ‘‘People try to See Middle Page 39 BRITISH COLUMBIA ROYAL COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE AND COSTS Call for tS * | : : ; ba ves prota ro ‘hom bmissions oa we DR. JACEK Lipowski (left) and Larry Oliver display some of the hand S al ; ars -held computers used to automate data collection and processing. The s THE VOICE OF NONTH AND WIEST VANCOUVER north shore SUNDAY « FRIDAY WEONESDAY WaeearENt NORTH VANCOUVER 986.0388 WEST VANCOUVER 926-5541 two operate North Vancouver-based Real Data Systems. Roger Higgins Barry D. Schaefer, Regional Vice- President of Prenor Trust Company of Canada is pleased to announce the ap- pointment of Denice Hughes as Mor- tgage Development Officer responsi- ble for the North and West Vancouver ares, Ms. Hughes brings co this position an extensive background in real estate sales and mortgage lending. Prenor Trust, the Company resulting from the amalgamation of Vanguard Teast of Canada Limited, Aclantic Trust Company of Canada and the operations of CanWese Truss Com- pany of Canada, has assets of $1.2 billion and a branch network stret- ching from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Victoria, British Coluinbra. Prenor Trust, a subsidiary of Prenor Finanetal Led. af Montreal, offers a range of quality Hnanctal producers and services to Canadians. Under the Company's branch expansion pro- gram, four new branches are sehedul- ed ro open in 1990, 6 Prenor TRUST Momihes Camara Dh gust! betnanes Corponition 1452 Lonsdale Avenue 980-7440 The Provincial Government has established a Royal Commission to conduct a : detailed examination of the provision of health care in the province and to make recommendations to ensure access for our citizens to high quality and cost effective health care in the future. The commissioners are: Robert G. Evans Marguerite Ford Kenneth J. Fyke David Sinclair The terms of reference for the commission are wide-ranging and include the The Hon. P.D. Seaton, Chairman mandate of the health care system, its structure, management, and methods of funding. The commissioners will also review requirements for professional personne}, the use of advanced technology, the promotion of good health, and the use of prescription drugs. Public hearings will be held throughout the province commencing in June of this year. The commissioners will welcome submissions in writing, or orally, from any individuals, organizations or institutions who wish to make a contribution to the commission's work. Those intending to make a submission should notify the commission counsel, Paui Williamson, in writing or by telephone, by June 1, 1990, or earlier if possible. He will assist those who wish to make a submission, and may be contacted at: Royal Commission On Health 9th Floor, 1285 West Pender St., Vancouver, 8.C. V6B 4E5 Telephone: 660-0165 FAX: 660-1098