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In the past, using computers to work at home was limited to executives and the
professions, but more and more employees are now taking work home, and a small but
growing number of employees actually work at home. Links between the office and the
"home office" are thus likely to become much more widespread with die development of
networking and communications in workplaces, and as these home-to-work links become
effective and affordable. With job mobility also tending to increase and employees having
to learn new work skills, home-based computerized adult education is also likely to
experience renewed growth. This formal instruction dimension also seems a prerequisite for
the success of joint employer-employee financed schemes such as tiie Private Computer
Projects which, altiiough they have become a major driving force of die Dutch PC market,
are increasingly criticized for their lack of effectiveness. Without appropriate software and
a high level of formalized training, many of these PCs are collecting dust in cupboards.
The commercial applications in the home market are likely to assume significant
proportions in the coming years. The scope of this market ranges from traditional uses,
such as word processing, accounting and filing, to the integrated computerization of homes'
The French have termed this latter concept "Domotique." It entails cabling houses and
apartment blocks during their construction to allow for die computerized control of heating,
lighting, security systems, and audio/visual and kitchen appliances. No reference point
exists at present and die market is wide open.
Figure 3 shows 1988 shipments in the European market by both product type and
application.
Non Comp.$2000 5.2% '^^^^^^^^k / Commercial 16.5%
Education 34.5%
Total 1988 Market Total 1988 Market
1.2 Million Units 1.2 Million Units
Source: Dataquest
September 1989
1989 Dataquest U.K. Limited September ESAM
0002383