On July 13, 1988, Public Service Indiana, an investor-owned utility, formed a task force to formulate a preliminary plan for future data acquisition and control system upgrades at Gibson Generating Station. The mission of this task force was to "look at available technology and map out a strategy to meet current and future needs identified by all departments."1 The ensuing study provided the ground work necessary to convert a large generating station from an analog benchboard control system to a new distributive process control network. This paper describes the strategic position of Public Service Indiana, including the need to improve the operating efficiency and operating availability of Gibson Station. It then describes the formation and final recommendations of the Computer Modernization Task Force. The paper identifies important advantages of new computer technology to the electrical power industry and provides an economic justification of the first phase of the plant computer control modification project. 1Gregory L. Hauger, Gibson Data Acquisition/Control Systems Upgrade, Inter-departmental mail letter, Gibson Generating Station, Public Service Indiana, 13 July 1988.