The computer is the central component of office automation.
Office automation is an acronym composed of the terms office and computing . The concept, therefore, refers to the automation of communications and processes carried out in an office .
Office automation is enabled by a combination of hardware and software that allows you to digitally create, manipulate, store and transmit the information needed in an office to perform daily tasks and achieve its objectives.
For example: office automation allows an office worker to keep his company's balance sheets in a digital file using spreadsheets that facilitate operations. Said file can be kept on a computer, printed or sent over the Internet .
Components and objectives of an office structure
The office structure is usually made up of computers and peripherals (such as printers and scanners) that are connected by a local area network and that also have a connection to the Web. Telephones and fax machines are also part of office automation.
The objective of office automation, in short, is the automation and optimization of common office tasks. Many activities that in the past were carried out manually, such as writing communications, are currently facilitated thanks to technology. Office automation saves time and, therefore, increases the profitability of offices.
Office software
Finally, it is known as an office suite , the collection of computer programs that are commonly used in offices. These suites typically include a word processor, spreadsheet, database management, email client, calendar, and presentation or slide manager.
Office work can be carried out thanks to office automation.
A word processor is a program that allows the user to write almost any type of document, as long as its main content is static. Generally, we use it to create texts, although it is also possible to create a pamphlet or even a table of values. All this without mentioning the option to insert dynamic graphs that analyze certain data . But beyond the possibilities, normal use revolves around writing, whether stories, journalistic articles or student works.
Without a doubt, the word processor is one of the most common office tools, since a large part of the work in an office includes the writing of various documents . However, the spreadsheet is also of great importance, since it is used to organize and process numerical data of various types, from percentages to monetary data. It is used to study expenses, profits, staff performance, the impact of a new project, etc.
Other office tools
The database is related to both tools, among others, and is one of the parts of office automation that is least mentioned because it requires more technical knowledge to use. In short, it is a set of tables with different fields in which data such as names, addresses and "true or false" values are stored to indicate availability or other properties. Its usefulness is incalculable, and it is present in all business areas, both on the Internet and in physical companies.
The email client is an office tool that was initially used mainly in companies , but that little by little has reached everyone's hands thanks to mobile phones. It is nothing more than a program that allows us to centralize all our email boxes and manage them with great ease. One of the most used options by professionals is the creation of signatures, particularly because they can be used on all registered accounts without having to store them in duplicate.