In 1971, Bell Laboratories undertook the development of a minicomputer based batch terminal system primarily to support remote computing activities at its many locations. The effort was to result in a high performance, cost effective system which could be used to improve upon an array of specialized terminals leased from a variety of vendors. In addition to functioning as a conventional remote batch terminal, the system, known now as the Multipurpose Batch Station (MBS), was to serve as an interlocation data link, as a local media conversion station and as a generalized communications interface between large central computers and foreign vendor peripherals. In terms of communications support, the MBS System was to accommodate synchronous disciplines, either 2-wire or 4-wire, at bit per second rates from 2,000 to at least 50,000. The system was to be interrupt driven and was to optimize thru-put for voice grade channels.