Computer science research in office automation

Whether an “office” is situated in academia, business, industry or government, the potential application of computer and communication technologies toward its more effective functioning presents particularly complex and challenging problems to researchers in computer science. It is no longer satisfactory to merely have a separate, supportive computer center configured on a centralized basis with its hardware/software/database constituents designed for and situated in a tightly controlled, remote computer room, accessible only to well-trained staff. Instead a modern-day office demands distributed processing and access for potentially all of its employees. It is forcing us to consider the networking of a number of heterogeneous types of computers and terminals with various kinds of nonspecialist users who need or want suitable access from their personal workstations. This precipitates not only “distribution” of hardware, but also systems software, applications software, databases, network control, access security, and more. Indeed, if we define an automated office (or a computer-based office system) to be an organizational/technological entity which encompasses a set of resources (computer hardware, software, databases, communications equipment, people, etc.) working in some specified pattern(s) of interconnection, interdependency or relation toward the accomplishment of one or more organizational objectives, we have quite a job on our hands in terms of applied research which can support the design of such a system. Not only must its low-level functioning with respect to its component resources be addressed; attention must also be paid to putting those pieces together into an effectively operating complete system. The latter requires research with a global view and with abilities to conceptualize, model, analyze, synthesize and integrate the various component parts and related considerations toward creating a unified, harmonious whole.