Office automation

Refers to the varied computer machinery and software used to digitally create, collect, store, manipulate, and relay office information needed for accomplishing basic tasks. Raw data storage, electronic transfer, and the management of electronic business information comprise the basic activities of an office automation system. Office automation helps in optimizing or automating existing office procedures. The backbone of office automation is a LAN, which allows users to transmit data, mail and even voice across the network. All office functions, including dictation, typing, filing, copying, fax, Telex, microfilm and records management, telephone and telephone switchboard operations, fall into this category. Office automation was a popular term in the 1970s and 1980s as the desktop computer exploded onto the scene.

What is office automation?

The term office automation refers to all tools and methods that are applied to office activities which make it possible to process written, visual, and sound data in a computer-aided manner. Office automation is intended to provide elements which make it possible to simplify, improve, and automate the organization of the activities of a company or a group of people (management of administrative data, synchronization of meetings, etc.). Considering that company organizations require increased communication, today, office automation is no longer limited to simply capturing handwritten notes. In particular, it also includes the following activities:

exchange of information management of administrative documents

handling of numerical data meeting planning and management of work schedules

Office suite tools

The term "office suite" refers to all software programs which make it possible to meet office needs. In particular, an office suite therefore includes the following software programs: word processing a spreadsheet a presentation tool a database a scheduler The main office suites are:

AppleWorks Corel WordPerfect IBM/Lotus SmartSuite Microsoft Office Sun Star Office Open Office (freeware)