ERMUSR MISC MEMO 01-15-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Welcome to the office, for those who still go to one. Thanks to instant wireless communications and encryption technology, remote working...from home or anywhere else on Earth...is the norm now. But an office in the traditional sense still comes in handy for working on team projects as well as for meeting clients and suppliers. Electronic wallpaper covers the walls. When you're not using it to show charts, graphs and other business presentations, you can switch to displaying pictures of the kids or some other pleasing images. Office chairs have built-in sensors to detect your stress level. They can then gently suggest a brief nap or exercises to help decompress. The "office computer" is lust a wide, high-def laptop screen with a wireless connection to a central server. If a keyboard is needed, the screen can project one on the desk or a soft pad for virtual typing. But, as at home, you'll typically bark out voice commands to the machine. Say "Pull up the Perkins account," and the computer will oblige. Besides the usual financial numbers, you'll get a detailed display of a client's past orders, a video of your last meeting together, information the client has posted recently on the Internet and more. Robot assistants will handle menial or logistical needs. Robotics programming is sophisticated enough to allow mechanical helpers to maneuver with ease through human spaces, using optical guidance. Sensor-laden robots provide security services for the company, particularly in its far-flung factories, warehouses and branch offices. They can detect intruders, malfunctions, etc., and alert authorities. Your 2 p.m. interoffice meeting is coming up in the video room, where wall-to-wall projection screens provide a 270-degree sweep. Videoconferencing is crystal clear, allowing easy eye contact and reading of every participant's body language and facial expressions. Sales managers love videoconferencing...they can give live demonstrations for potential customers located anywhere. It's popular in homes as well, not only as a communications device, but also as an entertainment medium. The technology saves the company a bundle on travel costs, too. When you do fly, you usually take the company's VLJ, or very light jet. It was cheap to buy, and it can land at less crowded secondary airports. Clients in China want a better read on your firm's new product. No problem...zip them a scale model of it via a 3-D printer, which rapidly prints layer upon layer until it builds up a 3-D image. This contraption transforms the product specs stored on a computer into an actual model made from plastic or a similarly malleable material. Holographic images are another option. But they're still rough... years from being perfected. Businesses are eager to use them, though. Showing charts and products in three dimensions creates a bigger impact. Next up: A visit to a building site for a trash-to-energy plant that your company is involved with. Waste products are a growing frontier in the search for energy sources. This plant will abut a city dump and use enzymes to turn trash into natural gas for powering generators. Then there's a speech to give, with help from your cyber coach. While talking before an industry group, you sport a small earpiece that communicates with your computer, feeding you information as needed. Market prospects in Iraq? The computer whispers the numbers in your ear. For instant online access and searchable archives, go to kiplingerbiz.com/start ~ '~