Butler Cox plc (originally Butler Cox and Partners Ltd) was an independent consulting and research company formed in 1977 by David Butler and George Cox along with five colleagues, specialising in the strategic application of information technology. It served both major users and leading suppliers of that technology. Much of the work was concerned with identifying and explaining the nature and significance of new developments. The company’s principal research service was the Butler Cox Foundation, which grew to nearly 500 members, all of which were major corporations, drawn from every sector. As an illustration of its influence, its membership in the UK included 19 of the top 20 FTSE companies. As well as influencing the uptake of technology by leading users and the product offerings of major suppliers, the findings of the Foundation research were communicated to the UK Government on numerous occasions and had a bearing on public policy.
Up until the company’s sale to Computer Science Corporation in 1991, the Foundation produced 83 reports. Initially, the subjects were chosen wholly by ballot among the members; however, this process was subsequently modified (at the members’ suggestion) to add topics which Butler Cox felt were important if yet unrecognised.
As the programme expanded internationally, translated versions were published in French, German and Italian.
1977
Trends in Office Automation Technologies
1978
The Convergence of Technologies
The Selection of a Computerised PABX
Public On-line Information Retrieval Services
1979
Improving Systems’ Productivity
Management Services and the Microprocessor
Trends in Database Management Systems
The Role of the Mainframe Computer in the 1980s
1980
Distributed Processing: Management Issues
The Trends in Data Processing Costs
The Interface Between People and Equipment
Corporate Communications Networks – November 1980
1981
System Development Methods – November 1981
1982
Trends in Voice Communication Systems
User Experience with Data Networks
A Director’s Guide to Information Technology
1983
Managing Operational Computer Services
Cost Effective Systems Development and Maintenance
Selecting Local Network Facilities
1984
Trends in Information Technology
Presenting Information to Managers
Managing the Human Aspects of Change
Managing the Microcomputer in Business
Office Systems: Applications and Organisational Impact
1985
The Effective Use of System Building Tools
Network Architectures for Interconnecting Systems
Developing and Implementing a Systems Strategy
1986
Unlocking the Corporate Data Resource
Organising the Systems Department
Using Information Technology to Improve Decision Making
1987
The Impact of Information Technology on Corporate Organisation Structure
Planning the Corporate Data Centre
Senior Management IT Education
Using System Development Methods
Competitive Edge Applications: Myths and Reality
1988
Communications Infrastructure for Buildings
The Future of the Personal Workstation
Managing the Infrastructure of Corporate Databases
Marketing the Systems Department
Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE)
1989
Electronic Document Management
Managing Multi-vendor Environments
1990
Emerging Technologies – Annual Review for Managers
The Future of System Development Tools
Getting Value from Information Technology
New Telecommunications Services
1991
The Role of Information Technology in Transforming the Business
Workstation Networks – A Technology Review for Managers
1981
Trends in Voice Communications Systems
1987
Competitive-Edge Applications: Myths and Reality
Expert Systems in Business – Management Summary
Planning the Corporate Data Centre
User System Development Methods
Senior Management IT Education
1988
Communications Infrastructure for Buildings
The Future of the Personal Workstation
Managing the Infrastructure of Corporate Databases
Marketing the Systems Department
Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE)
1989
Electronic Document Management
Managing Multivendor Environments
1990
The Future of System Development Tools
Getting Value from Information Technology
New Telecommunications Services
1991
The Role of Information Technology in Transforming the Business
Workstation Networks – A Technology Review for Managers
Managing the Devolution of Systems Responsibilities
Managing Technical Architecture
1992
The Foundation also published Directors Briefings and Position Papers on topical subjects of high-level concern, some authored by individuals outside the company.
The Experience of Users of Database Management Systems – 1979
Escaping from Yesterday’s Systems – George Cox – 1984
The Significance of the IBM Token Ring – David Flint – 1985
Computing for Competitive Edge – Anthony Bargioni – 1985
Using Technology to Improve Competitive Ability – William B Cook – 1986
Unlocking the Corporate Data Resource – 1986
Hybrid information Systems – Neil Farmer – 1987
The Changing Information Industry – Bernard Goldstein – 1987
Document Image Processing: The Next Revolution? – Tony Gunton – 1987
A Progress Report on New Technologies – Craig Fields – 1988
Hypertext – David Flint – 1988
1992: An Avoidable Crisis – David Butler – 1988
Managing Information Systems in a Decentralised Business – 1989
Pan-European Communications: Threats and Opportunities – Jim Norton – 1989
Legal Protection for Computer Systems – Emma Nicholson, MP – 1989
Open Systems – Simon Forge – 1990
Information Centres in the 1990s – Janet Cohen – 1990
Computer Support for Cooperative Work – Giorgio De Michelis – 1990
Directors’ Exchange: A Day with Peter Keen – 1991
Outsourcing Information System Services – 1991
In 1987, Butler Cox launched another syndicated research programme, this time focused on the systems development function. It was known as the Butler Cox Productivity and Quality Enhancement Programme, usually referred to as PEP.
Like the Foundation, PEP published reports on specific topics of concern to members. By the time of the company’s sale, the programme had grown to over 70 members in the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, with 20 in Australia, and it had researched and issued twenty reports.
Managing User Involvement in Systems Development – April 1987
Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) – June 1987
Planning and Managing Systems Development – September 1987
Faire Participer Les Utilisateurs au Developpement des Applications – September 1987
Requirements Definition: The Key to System Development Productivity- November 1987
Managing Productivity in Systems Development – April 1988
Managing Contemporary System Development Methods – June 1988
Influence on Productivity of Staff Personality and Team Working – September 1988
Managing Software Maintenance – November 1988
Quality Assurance in Systems Development – February 1989
Making Effective Use of Modern Development Tools – May 1989
Organising the Systems Development Department – August 1989
Trends in Systems Development Among PEP Members – December 1989
Software Testing – February 1990
Software Quality Measurement – May 1990
Application Packages – September 1990
Project Estimating – October 1990
Motivating Systems Development Staff – March 1991
Managing Small Projects – May 1991
Each year, the Foundation would organise a Study Tour, taking senior representatives of the members to visit locations of interest, normally in the United States. Subsequent to the tour, the findings would be summarised and published.
Programmes
1983 Canada/USA (Ottawa/Denver/Palo Alto) Study Tour
1987 Study Tour of Massachusetts
Session Summaries/Findings
In addition to its syndicated research services, Butler Cox published occasional reports on subjects of broad concern across its whole client base.
Electronic Mail Survey – Published 1980
Videotex in Europe – Published 1985
Office Automation Opportunities: A guide for the ‘80s and beyond – Published 1985
Information Technology and Cash (Butler Cox Report Series) – Published 1986
Information Technology: Value for Money (Butler Cox Report Series) Published 1986
Desktop Publishing (Butler Cox Report Series) – Published 1987
Information Technology and the Customer (Management Summary) – Published 1987
Information Technology and Buildings – A Practical Guide for Designers – published 1989
Improving Systems Development Productivity and Quality – Published 1990
Each year, the Foundation would normally host two international conferences. Additionally, each country would host at least one, National Conference. Either a full transcript or a summary of proceedings would be issued in each case.
1977
Stratford-upon-Avon, November 1977
1978
Bristol, October/November 1978
1979
1980
1981
Den Haag, Nederland, November 1981
Torquay, November/December 1981
1982
Stratford-upon-Avon, March 1982
Davos, Switzerland, May 1982 Programme
Davos, Switzerland, May 1982 Summary
Marseilles, France, October 1982
1983
1984
Robinson College, Cambridge, September/October 1984
Johannessburg, South Africa, October 1984
1985
Stratford-upon-Avon, April 1985
Gleneagles, Scotland, October 1985
Sydney, Australia, December 1985
1986
Rome, Italy, October 1986 – Summaries
1987
Bournemouth, June 1987 – Programme
Bournemouth, June 1987 – Summaries
Munich, Germany, October 1987 – Leaflet
Munich, Germany, October 1987 – Programme
Munich, Germany, October 1987 – Summaries
1988
Dublin, Ireland, October 1988 – Summaries
1989
Stratford-upon-Avon, June 1989
Cannes, France, October 1989 – Leaflet
Cannes, France, October 1989 – Programme
Cannes, France, October 1989 – Summaries
New South Wales, Australia, December 1989
1990
Budapest, Hungary, November 1990
Budapest, Hungary, November 1990 – Summaries
1991