Time. Computer automation, recessions, and white collar work. The new economy rush towards productivity continues.
>>>But until now there has been no holistic approach to networks — just efforts to make storage or servers more efficient on their own, Horn says. And though the recession has shrunk technology budgets, financial constraints often encourage this kind of enhancement to efficiency. “The biggest demand for automation often occurs in economic downturns,” he says. “I can't go to a company that doesn't say, 'I need to automate. I've got to get my costs down.'”
To some extent, computers and other machines already “sweat,” after two generations of automating blue-collar jobs. And technology keeps climbing the occupational ladder. Asked how firms are making money by implementing new technology, Chris Meyer says, “There is a simple answer: the automation of white-collar work.” Already, travel agents and stockbrokers have seen their business eroded by online travel and trading sites. Meyer adds that as the professional-services technologies improve, other occupations — including doctors and lawyers — may join automation's hit parade.<<< [John Robb's Radio Weblog]