VA Must Strengthen Management of ADP Resources To Serve Veteran's Needs

A review was undertaken of the Veterans Administration's (VA) management and use of its automated data processing (ADP) resources. VA uses computers extensively to aid in administering its various programs. Under the direction of its Office of Data Management and Telecommunications, VA operates six ADP centers and has a total staff of about 2,000. In addition to this ADP capability, VA has at least 400 minicomputers located at 172 VA medical centers in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. An estimated $113 million was spent in 1979 for ADP system support, and VA expects to spend substantially more in the near future. Currently, VA has three major system development efforts underway. Two deal with its compensation, pension, and education applications, and the third effort deals with the development of a Health Care Information System.