- Email: [email protected]
Worldwide impact of the chip takes time
reports providing PC software, and DEC has products for its range of computers. Prestel, OEL and Martochoice demonstrated their ability to provide telesoftware for the ZX81 at Videotex 82. Music is being distributed via FM by William von Meister, and experiments in games delivery are being carried out by Mattel/~eneral Instrument, Warner/Amex Cable and the International Cablecasting Companies. (VideoPrint, 30 High Street, Norwalk, CT 068.51, USA. 1
Cautionin OAinves~~nt A report on the advance of office automation in the UK has discovered that while spending on OA networks, electronic mail and executive workstations is increasing, so far only word processors and microcomputers are being widely used. The most important factor in choosing such products is re-
~ab~ity - users do not want to be let down by their equipment once they have invested in it. There has not been much resistance in introducing word processors so far. Only 4% of the surveyed users had experienced such resistance, with the new technology being welcomed by staff in two thirds of the cases. One in four offices reported job loss as a result of the new equipment, with four out of five organizations seeing manpower savings as an important reason for such investment. Lack of compatability between products is given as a major reason for the slow takeup of automated office technology. Further reasons are that standard systems generally need tailoring to suit individual users, and there is a lack of cash available in time of recession. However, two thirds of the sample were intending to increase their spending on micros in the next year, with a half to invest more on executive workstations and a third on electronic
mail and local area networks. So far, though, systems are being bought as standalone operations. A third of the sample, mainly large organizations, intend to integrate these systems into larger office systems, while another third are waiting to see how products develop before increasing their investment. These results came from replies from 200 respondents to a questionnaire sent out by the Policy Studies Institute in the summer of 1981. (Policy Study Institute, l/2 Castle Lane, London SWIE
6DR,
UK.)
Worldwideimpact of thechip takestime In its report on the impact of chip technology on conditions and quality of work for the Netherlands Government, the Metra consulting group concludes that the effects are appearing far more slowly than has been expected. The world recession has contributed to such slow development, in combination with human inertia. The report looked at 10 countries, and found enormous differences in attitude towards the chip. In booming economies e.g. Japan, microelectronics are regarded as a great benefit allowing increases in productivity without labour surpluses or shortages. In depressed and stagnant economies there is the feeling that the chip leads to greater unemployment. Certainly in the factory, microelectronics seems to have led to significant labour economies in many industries, says the report. In the office there appears to be greater impact on general clerical work than on typing, although interactive systems and word processors can lead to greater productivity. Systems are implemented with as little organizational change as possible. (Metra Consulting Group Ltd, St May’s House, 42 Vicarage Crescent, London S WI 13LB, UK. )
~0125no 6
julyiaugust 1983
41
Cautionin OAinves~~nt A report on the advance of office automation in the UK has discovered that while spending on OA networks, electronic mail and executive workstations is increasing, so far only word processors and microcomputers are being widely used. The most important factor in choosing such products is re-
~ab~ity - users do not want to be let down by their equipment once they have invested in it. There has not been much resistance in introducing word processors so far. Only 4% of the surveyed users had experienced such resistance, with the new technology being welcomed by staff in two thirds of the cases. One in four offices reported job loss as a result of the new equipment, with four out of five organizations seeing manpower savings as an important reason for such investment. Lack of compatability between products is given as a major reason for the slow takeup of automated office technology. Further reasons are that standard systems generally need tailoring to suit individual users, and there is a lack of cash available in time of recession. However, two thirds of the sample were intending to increase their spending on micros in the next year, with a half to invest more on executive workstations and a third on electronic
mail and local area networks. So far, though, systems are being bought as standalone operations. A third of the sample, mainly large organizations, intend to integrate these systems into larger office systems, while another third are waiting to see how products develop before increasing their investment. These results came from replies from 200 respondents to a questionnaire sent out by the Policy Studies Institute in the summer of 1981. (Policy Study Institute, l/2 Castle Lane, London SWIE
6DR,
UK.)
Worldwideimpact of thechip takestime In its report on the impact of chip technology on conditions and quality of work for the Netherlands Government, the Metra consulting group concludes that the effects are appearing far more slowly than has been expected. The world recession has contributed to such slow development, in combination with human inertia. The report looked at 10 countries, and found enormous differences in attitude towards the chip. In booming economies e.g. Japan, microelectronics are regarded as a great benefit allowing increases in productivity without labour surpluses or shortages. In depressed and stagnant economies there is the feeling that the chip leads to greater unemployment. Certainly in the factory, microelectronics seems to have led to significant labour economies in many industries, says the report. In the office there appears to be greater impact on general clerical work than on typing, although interactive systems and word processors can lead to greater productivity. Systems are implemented with as little organizational change as possible. (Metra Consulting Group Ltd, St May’s House, 42 Vicarage Crescent, London S WI 13LB, UK. )
~0125no 6
julyiaugust 1983
41