Hard labor
Article Abstract:
Electronic commerce has the potential to completely transform work and create new jobs, but it may also totally eliminate some jobs. Network-based automation, according to anecdotal evidence, appears to have potential benefits, but service industries that are not quickly expanding are likely to find that automation technologies may devalue or displace workers. Potential victims of displacement include investment bankers, car dealers, travel agents and insurance sales people. Cisco Systems is one firm that has embraced automation to improve customer service. The firm now electronically manages 80% of the monthly 250,000 customer inquiries it receives. Industry experts predict that as technologies automate services, individuals will have to adopt new ideas about work. It may become more common for people to combine both part-time work and self-reliance instead of having one single job.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1996
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Software makers to post gains for 4th quarter: but PC application firms expect sluggish results on shift in the industry
Article Abstract:
Vendors of operating systems, network software, high-end data bases and electronic games are expected to show strong gains for 4th qtr 1992, while vendors of microcomputer applications are expected to report sluggish performances. The results are seen as evidence of a shift in the software business. Vendors of applications once posted the strongest growth. Microsoft Corp is expected to be the top performer among application companies, while Electronic Arts is expected to lead all computer game makers. Informix Software Inc is one of the high-end database firms benefiting from the shift from mainframes to smaller computers. PC application firms Borland International Inc, Lotus Development Corp and Symantec Corp are all expected to post weak results. Problems stem from difficulties in transferring their strong performances in the DOS market to Microsoft Windows, the new standard.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1993
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