Information Proposal

Office automation uses software and hardware solutions to ease your workload. Its simplest level can consist of activating options in software you already own, which costs nothing. For example, your email program might contain a filtering facility that enables you to sort incoming messages into appropriate folders or send them to staff who can respond. Automation can also demand expensive technology. For example, you might need to lease or buy a copy machine that automatically scans your printed training manual, duplicates it, collates the pages, binds the document in an attractive hardcover and stacks it for easy distribution. Some advantages are that automating processes reduces your involvement in mundane clerical tasks, such as organizing customer data or creating reports, and leaves you to concentrate on the parts of your business that you prefer. It allows a few employees to perform the tasks of many, such as when one machine automatically chooses, packs and labels products for shipping. Automation enables people with lower skill levels to perform higher-level tasks, such as when a clerk creates an attractive and compelling presentation by typing text into software templates that pull in third- party pictures, videos and music. Automating information systems reduces storage space, speeds retrieval and allows several employees to access the same data at the same time. Some disadvantages are that office automation can be expensive when you first invest in software and equipment. A professional office suite or a machine that scans, duplicates and binds documents, for example, can be quite expensive. Older or less-skilled employees who are used to manual methods might find it difficult to operate and adjust to automatic processes. This could require additional and time-consuming training. If the automated system does not function -- when power is interrupted, for example -- you might not be able to use manual methods to continue business. For instance, if your...