graphic andcartographic services, internal printing, distribution andprovision of storage facilities andgeneral-purpose printing andprocurement. 39.48 Duringthemedium-term planperiod, activities undersubprogramme 4will alsohavethefollowing aims: (a)Toimprove theefficiency andtimeliness ofoperations bycomputerizing allrecord-keeping functions atHeadquarters andbyestablishing linkages both upstream anddownstream forthetracking ofsources ofsupply, jobsandinvoices, aswellasforbudgetary monitoring. Appropriate modernization willalsobe pursued atotherdutystations; (b)Toimprove theappearance ofpublications byintroducing acohesive and unified graphics stylethatwillestablish astrongvisualidentity forallUnited Nations material; (c)Tointegrate thepreparation ofmapswiththeelectronic publishing and data-transmission networks oftheOrganization through theintroduction ofdesktop mapping. Suchcapabilities willalsopermit theint~gration ofstatistical and demographic data,thereby providing thevarious sectors oftheOrganization with prompt andup-to-date carto-geographic information; (d)Toimprove efficiency andtimeliness inthereproduction areathrough computerized automation ofthepre-press areaatHeadquarters. TheintrOduction of an"electronic beamrecorder" willbethefirststepintheapplication ofan "image communication system" toimplement directdigital transmission toandfrom theReproduction Section. Appropriate modernization willalsobepursued atother dutystations; (e)Toautomate distribution activities appropriately, including through the application ofoptical disctechnology; (f)Topromote theaccurate andrapididentification ofdocuments and publications through thedevelopment ofasystemofbarcodes. (b)CourseofactionoftheSecretariat 39.49 Undertheauthority ofthePublications Board,pUblishing policies will continue tobesystematically reviewed andamended asnecessary, thereby reflecting developments inthepublishing fieldandintheOrganization's publishing activities. Particular attention willbepaidtomakingthepublishing programme moreeffective andtoattracting aswideareadership aspossible. -14- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library2 39.50 Theuseofelectronic publishing techniques willbeimplemented, thereby reducing reliance onexternal typesetting andincreasing theefficiency andeconomy oftheinternal reproduction process. Theintroduction ofelectronic typesetting programmes, withtheaddition ofpersonal computer-based desktop work-stations will permitfasterandmoreeconomical production. Official records, inparticular, willbeproduced directly fromelectronic dataalready corrected onword-processor terminals attheeditorial stage. Automated insertion oftypesetting specifications willgenerate laserprinter outputincamera-ready format. During thisperiod, electronic work-stations willbeintroduced intheediting andcopy preparation areas. 39.51Editorial andtypographical guidelines willbedeveloped toensurethe creation ofauniform format andappearance byusersofdesktop publishing devices throughout theOrganization. Thosefacilities shouldresultinbetterinformation charting, graphing andpresentation ofstatistical data,improvement inthequality ofpublications andfacilitation ofauthorusageoftheextensive UnitedNations databasestothefullest. 39.52 Anintegrated electronic databaseapproach toprinting procurement, costing andplanning willbedeveloped atHeadquarters, utilizing computer work-stations forthepreparation ofpurchase orders, thepayment ofinvoices andthetracking of worksinprogress. Suitable measures formodernization inthisareawillalsobe pursued atotherdutystations. 39.53 TheCartographic UnitatHeadquarters willrefine andupdateits computerization ofthecartographic process, keeping abreast andmaking useofnew developments, whilemakingavailable toend-users standardized machine-readable mapswithofficial toponymy andboundary files. AsthenumberofMemberStates
**Analysis**
This text appears to be related to the administrative and operational aspects of the United Nations, specifically in the area of printing, publishing, and cartographic services. It discusses the implementation of new technologies and processes to improve efficiency, timeliness, and quality of publications and services.

**Category**
Transport and communication, Science and technology