Inventory control is another functional MIS area where we have seen early use of OO stuff. Fielded systems exist for managing concessions at movie theaters, as well as inventory control at chains of gas and food convenience stores. At more than a few retail companies, we have encountered the use of object-oriented technology for their next generation of information systems. A software system that can deliver such information becomes a key competitive asset to the company. Closely related to retail inventory management are the problems faced by the health care industry.
Utility companies are another group that seem to be migrating to object-oriented technology.
Work at Brooklyn Union Gas serves as one well-documented and fielded use of OO stuff, and we are aware of a number of similar efforts throughout the country. The driving factor in this industry's software assets seems to be the demand for more and better customer services. Uncertainty with regard to the government's policies for taxing energy use has complicated the scene, but whatever the outcome, software becomes the vehicle whereby energy use can be tracked to individual households and businesses. Emerging technologies for online customer access to accounts, through various interactive cable services, is putting pressure upon this industry for more responsive services. Banks and insurance companies, often stereotyped as extremely conservative when it comes to changing software development tools and processes, seem also to be opening up to object-oriented technology.