Emerging Office Automation Systems

Abstract

The acceptance of novel office automation devices and systems depends primarily on their potential for increasing productivity and their ease of use. This paper discusses the technology and ergonomics of several new office automation devices. Four major office interactions are noted: transacting, documenting, elephoning, and meeting. For each, human factors characteristics are examined to provide an understanding of which systems can most easily be incorporated into existing office environments. Systems design methodologies, originally developed for military use, will find increasing utility for solving complex civilian problems. There is now a need to apply this methodology to the design of equipment, tasks, and systems. More research is needed to increase our understanding of office automation and how it may be implemented. Particularly important are comparative field studies of office tasks and office automation devices and systems.