Computer record keeping in a large rodent colony

An automated information system was developed to aid in the record keeping of inbred rodent breeding colonies. The system had keyboard terminals in each breeding room linked to a local mini-computer for data collection, editing, and short-term storage; and a remote, large computer center for permanent storage and report generation. The system allowed an animal technician to record all the activities associated with an inbred rodent breeding colony such as recording births of litters, weanings, assignment of animals, disposition of animals, and health observations. The information collected was available in daily reports provided within 24 hours after observations were recorded; weekly compilations that summarized the daily events; and special reports such as pedigrees, which were available on request.