BOTH REPORTS WERE PREPARED AS PART OF THE STATE COURTS' EQUIPMENT ANALYSIS PROJECT. THIS GUIDE STRESSES THE SYSTEMS APPROACH FOR DETERMINING DATA PROCESSING NEEDS AND SELECTING APPROPRIATE SYSTEMS. THE REPORT ALSO DISCUSSES ON-LINE VERSUS BATCH PROCESSING IN-HOUSE VERSUS SERVICE BUREAU OPERATIONS, SHARED VERSUS DEDICATED COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND OTHER TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES CONCERNING COMPUTER SYSTEM DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION. INFORMATION FOR THIS REPORT WAS COLLECTED AND ASSESSED THROUGH COURT SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES, COURT SITE VISITS, LITERATURE SEARCHES, AND MEETINGS WITH VENDORS. THE PROJECT STAFF SYNTHESIZED BOTH COURT AND DATA PROCESSING INDUSTRY INFORMATION TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS DESIGNED TO FULFILL COURT REQUIREMENTS. THE REFERENCE MANUAL (DATA PROCESSING AND THE COURTS - REFERENCE MANUAL) IS AVAILABLE FROM THE CENTER ON LOAN: (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)