Technology environment

 DWR first entered the computer age in the 1960s with a Control Data Corporation 3300, state-of-the-art in its time but huge and cumbersome by modern standards. Programming was input by stacks of punched cards recorded on large rolls of tapes. The system helped automate some of DWR’s business functions and the control system for the State Water Project.

In the 1980s, the Department procured a Cyber 720 from the California State University system and proceeded to convert the CDC 3300 programs to the Cyber, not an easy task since the two mainframes were totally different. However, the new system marked the era of “interactive” or terminal access to the mainframe and eliminated card decks for job and program files.

Another switchover came in the mid-1990s to the Cyber 830. This time conversion from one system to another presented no problems since both were running the same operating system. The 830 was significantly faster, provided the capability for newer and faster peripheral units such as disks and tapes, and was air cooled instead of water-cooled.

As the year 2000 approached, DWR was undertaking the next step to the SAP system. A second Cyper 830 was purchased to do isolated Y2K conversion and testing. It enabled DWR staff to complete the process well ahead of schedule, so that the century turned without a hitch for any converted programs.

In July 2000, with all processing and data converted to other systems such as SAP and the new control system for the State Water Project, the Cyber 830 system was retired. The equipment was removed from its place on the 7th floor, and all stored tapes were destroyed.

“It served us well for many years, but keeping up with new technology means changes,” says Deputy Director Ray Hart. “I’m certain the future will bring even more opportunities for cost-effective updates in our technology environment.”