\At the present time, on the order of 600 computer-based automation systems have been sold in the United States. Of these 600 systems, roughly 400 are on-line and in operation. These figures do not include roughly 1000 special processortype systems which, although based upon second and third generation computer technology, are not software programmable and are therefore not included in the numbers that have relevance in this report. To further define the subject area of this report, it includes those systems that are installed in buildings or on campuses to monitor and control the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, to provide maintenance assistance, to annunciate alarms, and to supervise fire and security alarm systems. Specifically, those systems developed in the process industry to control and monitor processes are excluded from this discussion.