Letter to the Editor—The Synergy of Operations Research and Computers

Abstract

With the exception of certain simulation models, it appears that operations researchers have shown little interest in developing models for situations in which the computer is an integral part. So far, they have generally been content to develop decision models without worrying too much about processing source data. The design of the information systems that presumably provide inputs into decision models has largely been left to programmers. This letter discusses the potential benefits to be realized through research to bring these two aspects of the same problems together. Approaches to developing models that integrate variables and information-system variables are proposed.