The Beginning of the End for the Biro

We are living in an era where technology and science is moving at an incredible pace.  Only last week medical history was made by using 3D printing in surgery, along with the discovery of a new Dwarf Planet inside our solar system.  It can be easy to forget about the basic items we use daily that will eventually be extinct.

Sony has recently released a new tablet called Digital Paper which even looks like a standard A4 note pad.  It has capabilities to not only type but to also create hand written notes with the help of a stylus in your own handwriting!  Very similar to the kindle, the tablet has electronic ink which gives it that paper feel.  The end of the Biro is looming…

The size of the office stationary room is now being depleted to the size of a small filing cabinet.  This once meeting place where you could a have a catch up with colleagues and if daring enough, leave with a few extra sticky notes and a secret stash of staples is slowly becoming a distant memory for some.

From a young age we are now growing up using tablets, phones and PC’s on a daily basis.  It was only 20 years ago where there was one Acorn Computer for a whole class to share.  Many industries across the UK are using the good old Biro less and less Waitresses and Waiters no longer approach your table with a pen and notepad they have a tablet where the order gets printed in the kitchen.

We used to dread the postman walking up the path with his pile of letters, now we get excited if we see a hand written envelope addressed to us.  Excluding the usual Birthday or Christmas cards, how often do you receive a hand written letter?

Apart from the odd note taking, we are using Biros less and less, with technology evolving and newer more secure ways of writing being created.  It might be another 20 years or maybe less until we see the death of the Biro.

The same could be said for legacy technology used in your office.  Are you using a piece of software which is well past its best before date, clinging onto it, maybe too scared to change or reluctant to try something new?   Even nostalgic about when it first got installed and the resulting confusion on colleagues faces.

Embrace technology!  The world is becoming more eco-friendly every day with paperless offices and email still being the preferred method of communication in the office.

What are your thoughts? Join the debate on twitter @ITRecruitment #RIPBiro and on Facebook facebook.com/LangleyJames