It will soon be possible for portfolio managers and financial analysts to use a high-speed computer with the ease of a desk calculator. They will be able to direct inquiries to a central computer from the privacy and convenience of their offices. The inquiries may relate to any of the detailed historic data or estimates stored within the computer for hundreds of companies. A wide variety of arithmetic calculations and statistical analyses may be performed. Answers will be received literally in seconds. No special knowledge of computers or computer languages will be required.