Office Automation

In this book office automation is placed in its organizational and technical context. The major lessons from the experiences of the 1980s are drawn from some of the possible futures for the 1990s are shown. Office automation has, in 20 years, gone, and will continue to go, through surges of popularity and unpopularity. Currently in the United States a wave of disenchantment seems to be building up. However, underneath these transient waves and phases of fashion, a change in the way that information is processed in the office has happened. The changes that have happened, have not happened fast enough for some who can see a "truly" automated office of the future, but the achievement of anything faster depends upon better education, understanding and ability in individuals. It is individuals who determine the use and usability of office automation. The technology of the automated office will allow good managers to manage better, insightful professionals to contribute more, good support staff to support more and effective teams to synergize more easily.