Office automation facts for kids

Office automation is all about using computers and special programs (called software) to help with everyday tasks in an office. It's like having digital helpers that create, collect, store, organize, and share information. Think of it as making office work smoother and faster!

The main idea behind office automation is to handle information digitally. This includes saving raw information, sending it electronically, and managing all the digital business details. It helps make office jobs more efficient and can even do some tasks automatically.

A big part of office automation is using a local area network (LAN). This is like a digital highway that lets computers in an office share information, send emails, and even make phone calls over the network. Almost all office jobs, from writing letters and filing documents to making copies, sending faxes, and answering phones, can be part of office automation. This idea became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s when desktop computers started appearing everywhere.

Office automation has many good points. It can get tasks done much quicker, reduce the need for a huge team of people, and save space because information is stored digitally instead of on paper. Plus, many people can work on the same information at the same time, which is great for teamwork!

How Automation Helps Businesses

Automation has changed how businesses work, making many things easier.

Shopping and Sales

Technology helps businesses buy and sell their products. Many tasks that used to be done by hand are now done with small handheld devices. These devices use special codes like UPC (the barcodes you see on products) and SKU codes to keep track of items.

In stores, automation also gives customers more choices. For example, you can easily pay for things using automated credit card machines. This means you don't have to wait in long lines for an employee to type in your credit card numbers by hand.

Managing Paychecks

Office payrolls, which are how employees get paid, are now automated. This means no one has to write out paychecks by hand anymore. Instead, computers print the checks. Even better, many people use direct deposit, where their pay goes straight into their bank account. This makes the process even faster and often means employees get their money sooner.

Answering Phones

Automation has also reduced the need for many employees to answer phones all day. Now, when you call a company, you often hear an automated voice that gives you options. These automated phone menus guide your call to the right department or person, or even answer your questions without needing a human operator.

See also

In Spanish: Ofimática para niños

• Apache OpenOffice