The term “calm technologies” refers to the applications that cut down on digital noise for high-volume data. This means the user only views information that is relevant to a task, increasing their focus. The engineering and manufacturing world traditionally operates with software that was noisy. But now quiet solutions are gaining momentum. The new era of calm technologies is the idea that we reduce distractions to our workflow without losing any functionality.
So we enter a virtual world of 3D (or even 4D) environments, and digital technology offers people and businesses a calmer and easier way to live and use it alongside our real life experiences. Now more than ever, the manufacturing industry is having to cope with PDM and PLM problems, such as complexity, information overflow and complicated processes. But there are three reasons why calm technologies are becoming really important to every day activities:
1. It reduces the number of information streams
Today, businesses use a wide range of software and these pieces of software are in constant competition against each other. In every company, every person will use multiple sources ofinformation, like email, process management and workflow systems, and as a result, your workforce can get distracted by too many information streams. Calm technology is a solution where companies reduce this problem to only one stream, thereby increasing engagement with a specific task and increasing overall accuracy and productivity.
2. It introduces task-oriented behavior
Often, people will set out their day in a sequence of tasks for motivational reasons and to keep their working day on track. New software development innovation in calm technology helps businesses set tasks that have focus and full engagement.
3. It introduces contextual connectivity
Context is key to enterprise software. It allows businesses to organise information accordingto specific data elements. This contextual connectivity helps to filter out irrelevant data and focus on “needed data” connected to a particular task, essentially drowning out anydistractions and increasing focus. In Designing Calm Technology, Mark Weiser and John Seely Brown describe calm technology which “informs but doesn’t demand our focus or attention”. This means collaborative software has turned from noisy clutter to an invisible, quiet and helpful platform.
