Enterprise data capture case example: In Pillsbury’s historical SOAR system (a well-known corporate information initiative), operational data were entered primarily by which method?

Introduction / Context:
Early large-scale corporate information systems often relied on dedicated terminals connected to central computers. Pillsbury’s SOAR system is a commonly cited example in MIS history that used direct, terminal-based data entry rather than paper batch technologies.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• SOAR aimed for timely, structured entry from distributed locations.
• OCR (optical character recognition) and MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) imply paper document processing.
• Audio input was not a mainstream enterprise data entry method for such systems of that era.

Concept / Approach:
Remote terminals allow online, real-time data capture with validation at the point of entry, improving accuracy and latency compared with deferred paper scanning. This matches the objectives of corporate online systems of the period: fewer errors, immediate availability, and centralized control.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Case study summaries of early online systems commonly reference dedicated terminals (green screens) linked to host systems for immediate transaction posting.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• OCR/MICR: Used in document imaging and check processing, not the core of SOAR.
• Audio input: Not standard for structured data entry in that era.
• None: Incorrect since a valid method is provided.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming all legacy systems were batch-oriented; many were designed around online terminals precisely to avoid batch delays.

Final Answer:
remote terminals