Technology is often under-utilized, which is analogous to using a chain saw like a bandsaw.
While there are many office automation success stories, too many companies have wasted both money and technology on automation efforts that were poorly planned and implemented, says Herold, who is also director of the Center on Work Performance Problems at Tech. A big mistake that many companies make is to think of automation in terms of specific tasks, Herold adds. Using research by economist Lester Thurow of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the study concluded that the growth of office productivity in the 1980s has increased at a level far below average for America's post World War II economy. It's not in the factory, it's in the office. Clermont says that companies should view automation not only as a productivity issue, but as an opportunity to evaluate their whole way of doing business.