Automatic test system mission critical computer resource software (AMSSS): a journey toward an integrated digital environment

At the inception of this research project in 1995, our goal was to identify individual Automatic Test System (ATS) Product Group Manager (PGM) datastores and to integrate them into a relational database. The purpose of the project was to support all 394 ATS managed by the ATS PGM by providing a single point of access for technical orders, systems software, software configuration management, financial requirements, ATS parametric envelopes, key logistics, and core infrastructure information. We planned to leverage the Web to communicate ATS information to customers around the world. Initial problems included multiple stovepipe data systems or sources, proprietary interfaces, and proliferation of desktop solutions that led to faulty data. The goal for the project was to provide a reliable, accurate, common, yet unique source of information that would be accessed easily, used and understood. This source would also be distributable, scaleable, and extensible