SwineTRAK Records

Collection

Identifier: CBI 236

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

SwineTRAK was a hog production tracking program available in the 1980s developed by Control Data Corporation. The SwineTRAK records include extensive documentation of editing done to the User Reference Guide, User Manuals, and Modules in the development phase. Error testing, tracking worksheets, set-up information, promotional materials, and official contracts are also present. Additionally included in the collection is basic information about other Control Data ADVANTAGE programs available in conjuction with SwineTRAK in the early 1980s.

Dates

1978-1985, bulk 1983-1984

Conditions Governing Access

Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

Biographical / Historical

Control Data Corporation was a supercomuting firm based in Minnesota active from 1957-1999. Due to CEO William Norris' upbringing on a family farm in Nebraska, when Control Data continued its diversification of services into the 1980s, developing an agricultural program was a top priority. The resulting product, Control Data ADVANTAGE, was a suite of services that were intended to help farmers control their credit, taxes, and profit. SwineTRAK was one of these services and was made available for purchase in late 1983. The program was marketed as a "comprehensive tracking, record keeping, and management information system designed for all types of farrowing operations." To set the program apart from competitors, ADVANTAGE also provided users the ability to add on the PLATO computer-based education suite, offering Feeder Pig Production and Management and Hog Finishing and Management programs. In 1984, Smart Systems Inc. helped convert SwineTRAK packages to run on IBM PCs amid a wide variety of updates to the program. Although not documented in these records, the program underwent extensive changes in the late 1980s and eventually was overtaken by competitors during CDC's decline. More information about the Control Data Corporation during the 1980s can be found in the Control Data Corporation Records (CBI 80), the William C. Norris Papers (CBI 164), and the Robert M. Price Papers (CBI 193).

Extent

4 Linear Feet (4 record cartons)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The SwineTRAK records document the development of the SwineTRAK Production Tracking System by Control Data Corporation in the early 1980s. The collection includes user manual edits, set-up worksheets, error testing records, and advertising material. Intermingled is information and material about other Control Data ADVANTAGE programs.