Computers on the Job: How Workers Use Computers
PART 1 : WORK PATTERNS
Lesson 1: Computers on the Job: How Workers use computers
The companies that use large computer system today are mostly the same companies that used them 30 to 40 years ago: corporations that have the big budget. These organizations – typically banks; insurance firms and aerospace companies – were the pioneers. The computers used were potent by then-current standards, even though today’s personal computers would provide a competitive edge. This turned out to be true, but it was long time before managers really understood the true promise of computers.
Early users were somewhat uncertain about how to use the new tool. In fact, to them the computer was useful for no more than clerical task. Pioneering applications for many companies were payroll and accounting system. The idea was to save labor cost by having the computer to do some work. Many organizations, including the government, used computers as “number crunchers” - Machines that ground away formulas. When computers began to be used interactively, business people saw that the computer could be used as a service tool, giving instant reservation or bank services. Today, large computer systems are used in every conceivable way, from research to manufacturing. Mid-range computers make numbers crunching and computerized services available for medium-sized companies. But it is highly affordable personal computer that has already opened up computing for the worker.
Personal Computer in the Workplace
Personal computer are everywhere in the workplace, no matter in the industry: retail, finance, insurance, real estate, health care, education, government, legal services, sports, politics, publishing, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, construction and on and on. It would be easier to ask where computers are excluded in the workplace. No industry interested in increasing productivity and helping workers and managers would exclude them – and expect to compete in
Lesson 1: Computers on the Job: How Workers use computers
The companies that use large computer system today are mostly the same companies that used them 30 to 40 years ago: corporations that have the big budget. These organizations – typically banks; insurance firms and aerospace companies – were the pioneers. The computers used were potent by then-current standards, even though today’s personal computers would provide a competitive edge. This turned out to be true, but it was long time before managers really understood the true promise of computers.
Early users were somewhat uncertain about how to use the new tool. In fact, to them the computer was useful for no more than clerical task. Pioneering applications for many companies were payroll and accounting system. The idea was to save labor cost by having the computer to do some work. Many organizations, including the government, used computers as “number crunchers” - Machines that ground away formulas. When computers began to be used interactively, business people saw that the computer could be used as a service tool, giving instant reservation or bank services. Today, large computer systems are used in every conceivable way, from research to manufacturing. Mid-range computers make numbers crunching and computerized services available for medium-sized companies. But it is highly affordable personal computer that has already opened up computing for the worker.
Personal Computer in the Workplace
Personal computer are everywhere in the workplace, no matter in the industry: retail, finance, insurance, real estate, health care, education, government, legal services, sports, politics, publishing, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, construction and on and on. It would be easier to ask where computers are excluded in the workplace. No industry interested in increasing productivity and helping workers and managers would exclude them – and expect to compete in