The manuals were sold to customers to illustrate how they might make use of up-to-date techniques for online management of factories and retail businesses. They represent a departure from the standard ICL practice of developing software purely internally, with its inherent risk that it may not become widely used, towards an approach of market research and consultation with their existing and potential clients. The manuals preceded ICL’s investment in OMAC/OMAC29, which provided computer systems that implemented this approach. They were constructed to encourage customer feedback and collect data about customer needs and requirements. The manuals are divided into two sets, the details for which are as follows:

1. The 'Manufacturing Industry' guides comprise 7 volumes:

• Preview – 12 pages – Publication 5121 – dated October 1975

• Management Overview – 78 pages – Publication 5120 – dated July 1975

• Product Data Control – 68 pages – Publication 5123 – dated October 1975

• Material Control – 111 pages – Publication 5124 – dated October 1975

• Factory Control – 88 pages – Publication 5125 – dated October 1975

• Implementation Guide – 64 pages – Publication 5126 – dated July 1975

• Sales Order Control – 53 pages – Publication 5127 – dated October 1975

2. The 'Retail and Distributive Trades' guides comprise 4 volumes:

• Overview – 75 pages – Publication 5128 – dated December 1977

• Physical Distribution Management – 138 pages – Publication 5129 – dated December 1977

• Retailing – 111 pages – Publication 5130 – dated December 1977

• Implementation – 79 pages – Publication 5131 – dated December 1977