disposable income

Personal income less personal taxes.

A data processing organizational concept under which computer resources of a company are installed at more than one location with appropriate communication links. Processing is performed at the user's location generally on a smaller computer and under the user's control and scheduling, as opposed to processing for all users being done on a large, centralized computer system.

An approach to automated machining in which each machine tool has its own dedicated microcomputer or computer numerical control (CNC). Each machine tool's CNC is connected via a network with a minicomputer that handles distributed processing between the host mainframe computer and the CNC. This minicomputer handles part program transfers and machine status data collection. This approach is considered more advanced than direct numerical control, in which several machine tools are tied directly to a central computer.

Computer systems in multiple locations throughout an organization, working in a cooperative fashion, with the system at each location primarily serving the needs of that location but also able to receive and supply information from other systems within a network.

1) The activities associated with the movement of material, usually finished goods or service parts, from the manufacturer to the customer. These activities encompass the functions of transportation, warehousing, inventory control, material handling, order administration, site and location analysis, industrial packaging, data processing, and the communications network necessary for effective management. It includes all activities related to physical distribution, as well as the return of goods to the manufacturer. In many cases, this movement is made through one or more levels of field warehouses. Syn: physical distribution. 2) The systematic division of a whole into discrete parts having distinctive -characteristics.