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SDD-1, A System for Distributed Databases, is a distributed database system being developed by Computer Corporation of America (CCA), Cambridge, MA. SDD-1 permits data to be stored redundantly at several database sites in order to enhance the reliability and responsiveness of the system and to facilitate upward scaling of system capacity. This paper describes the method used by SDD-1 for updating data that are stored redundantly. Redundant updating can be costly because it may potentially involve extensive intercomputer communication overhead in order to lock all copies of data being updated. The method described here avoids this overhead by identifying cases in which it is not necessary to perform this global database locking. The identification of transactions that do not require global locking is based on a predefinition of transaction classes performed by the database administrator using an analysis technique described herein. The classes defined are used at run time to decide what level of synchronization is needed for a given transaction. It is important to note that this predefinition activity in no way limits the transactions that the system can accept; it merely permits more efficient execution of those types of transactions that were anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust data measurement systems assess health care performance and monitor population-level treatment trends. A key challenge in the assessment of substance abuse treatment is the development of systems to accurately monitor service delivery indicators. Wait time to treatment, as defined by the days between first request for service and first treatment, is an important measure of organizational process and delivery of care. The Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment emphasizes wait time as a primary outcome in their study of 201 addiction treatment agencies in the USA. This article describes the changes made in five state data systems to monitor wait times and outlines lessons learned that could be applied to other health data tracking systems. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Focuses on the impact of Web services and technology integration on data management in Waltham, Massachusetts. Design and assembly of modern personal computers; Features of traditional software; Advantages of Web services in improving business applications.