The object of the paper is to examine the organisation of an average ordinary life office with a view to the introduction of a small-scale electronic computer operating from punched cards. For purposes of illustration and comparison a model office with 100,000 assurance policies in force operating under certain conditions has been assumed.

The general approach employed is:

(a) To examine the office system in current use,

(b) To consider what improvements may be made in the present system using normal punched card equipment where suitable, and,

(c) To discuss what further re-organisation would be required to make use of a computer and what advantages might be expected.

The paper is divided into three parts. Part I contains some brief remarks on North American experience and systems suggested for use there. In Part II, methods of maintaining policy records and the possibility of consolidation are discussed. Part III deals with the various services required from policy records, such as valuation and premium collection, and explores the practicability of using a consolidated policy record.

In the concluding remarks an attempt is made to assess the economics of using a small computer.

Included in the appendices is a brief description of a small-scale computer together with specimen card forms and a programme for carrying out a valuation.