Alpharel, IBM to Test Computer Imaging System

Alpharel Inc., a Camarillo maker of computer imaging systems, said it has teamed up with IBM Corp. to test a computer imaging system for Atlantic Richfield Co.

Arco is expected to decide in February whether to employ the system on a long-term basis, Alpharel said.

The system would combine IBM’s computer hardware and software with Alpharel’s imaging software, said Roger H. Erickson, Alpharel’s president and chief executive. The system would be used to store and retrieve engineering drawings for Arco’s oil operations on the North Slope of Alaska, he said. Erickson declined to say how much the deal could be worth.