Office Automation: Definition
Office automation is the combination of hardware and software to digitally create, automate, and record the information that an office needs to carry out processes and methodology correctly.
Office automation was born in the late 1940s, but it developed towards the 1970s. The introduction of word processors, which gradually replaced typewriters in offices, had a lot to do with its origin.
Charles Simonyi was the creator of office automation. He started with the launch of Microsoft Excel in 1983 for MS-DOS and gave a strong boost when he unified all office automation tools through the launch of Microsoft Office in 1989, with the collaboration of Richard Brodie.
Without a doubt, this concept is always referred to and related to office work and the tools used to carry it out.
It was a very innovative change. In this sense, this process served to speed up office work, and new options were also created to carry it out. The manual activities that were the main ones at that time were replaced and some were automated.
Administrative procedures, meeting planning, the introduction of the Internet, the use of computers, and the different processors and office components became more important in order to streamline all tasks.
Fundamental tools for office automation
These are the most notable ones:
- Word processors: Widely used in office work.
- Calculators: Components that streamline all accounting processes and numbers related to the tasks being carried out.
- Printer management software: Without a doubt, an essential item in any office that needs to convert virtual documents into physical ones.
- Instant messaging programs: Very useful for communicating between workers and transmitting immediate information.
- Databases: Of utmost importance for recording data related to a company, organization, or project.
- Spreadsheets: This is widely used to record invoices, for example, or to keep track of accounts.
- Fax machines: Like printers, fax machines are widely used in offices, and sometimes both components are included in the same device.
Office automation has represented a huge advance in terms of office work.
Office automation example
Programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint have revolutionized the way we work. These programs are included in the Office suite. This is marketed by Microsoft. However, there are similar office suites that are free of charge.
In addition, of course, to the other devices mentioned above, they have managed to automate processes and develop a more agile method for carrying out office tasks.
