This enabled the subscribers ample time to become familiar with the use of the new medium. A customer survey was conducted to ascertain the needs of the current customer base. This survey was completed in the Fall of 1997. It showed that most customers felt the tape media currently in use was antiquated and that that the late 1960's early 1970's technology was definitely out-dated and obsolete. It also showed that the present method of production and distribution was considered too slow and presented numerous problems for the customer.
Tapes are an expensive and outdated medium.
For example, a 750mb CD-ROM can store all of the data each subscribers now receives on 18 individual magnetic tapes. The entire production process is completed in a much shorter timeframe. 4.0 GB hard drive. CD reproduction unit. Buffer to aid with the transfer of data.