Background

Commercial quality ergonomic tools, for knowledge workers, have only been available to employers since 1996. Two main areas of studies have been pursued. These represent two of the four key value propositions for organizations (add liability and regulatory drivers) driving the development and growth of the marketplace:

          The need for reducing direct and indirect costs of employee injuries and
              claims for computer-related Injuries.

          The need for productivity improvements in office environments

Scientific research has shown that taking brief microbreaks strategically placed during the day based on activity can substantially reduce employee risk of developing injuries as well as increasing the accuracy of people using computers.

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» Applied Behavioral Analysis - The Office Ergonomics Firewall

Computer Pacing Technology Evolution

Computer pacing technology started over 40 years ago with VDT usage in the early 1970's embodied first in a simple 1st generation egg timer. This involved the simple concepts of specify a period of time and then take a break. Great, but what if you're not using the input device during this period. Do you still need the same rest as someone intensely inputting or surfing the web during the same time period? Of course not.

This was followed eventually by the 2nd generation odometer attempts at a solution. The conventional wisdom, at the time, was that this approach was better because everyone previously proven that it was not 'time alone' that was a good trigger to take a much needed microbreak. Eventually, 'work' was thought to be a better trigger for a microbreak. The trigger might be the amount of work you do, or perhaps accumulated keystrokes as a simple example. This approach failed also, however, in that you might have a microbreak scheduled after 2,000 keystrokes (a simple email response of a couple of paragraphs) and thereafter take microbreaks every 2,000 keystrokes. Does the person who does 2,000 keystrokes in 10 minutes need the same rest as a person who does 2,000 keystrokes in 10 hours? Of course not. This approach failed miserably as proven in user dissatisfaction and proven detriment to productivity.

Although a viable solution was not yet in hand, in general, people and researchers still knew that microbreaks were a vital and integral component in the recipe for avoiding computer-related injury. The problem at that time, however, was that no one had yet conceived a viable and effective pacing methodology.

Over the past 40 years, researchers and everyday people pondered why there were not more repetitive stress injuries during the age of the typewriter. Here, typists would interface with the typewriter for long periods of time and were often involved in intense heavy work. One major benefit of the typewriter, unrealized at the time, was that it provided a built-in typewriter pacing technology stemming from the inherent need to change the paper after each page was filled up. You typed, and typed, and typed, and then had to change the paper. The process of changing the paper provided you a microbreak away from the input activity. Sure, you were probably not resting or taking a stretch or exercise, but you did accomplish a task rotation from the inputting to the changing of the paper. This utilized different muscle groups than the inputting task and afforded the inputting muscle groups the much needed time to re-oxygenate tissues and for waste product removal such as lactic acid to occur.

Our problem of technology today, is that computers don't need for you to change the paper as often - causing a micro-beak from inputting, which now may be in the form of keyboard, mouse, trackball, joystick and other means. Yes, your printer gets hungry and needs paper too, but it can store enough paper to last days, even weeks so it doesn't help you even if you're lucky enough to not have to utilize a shared network printer where you never have to think about changing the paper at all.

A Solution Was Invented

So what was next? About fifteen years ago, SmartErgo's developers invented a 3rd generation technology which, through today, stands alone as the only solution where rest is measured against work in real time making it the only legitimate 3rd generation software technology on the market today.

Fact - 1st and 2nd generation pacing technologies have been proven to detract from productivity, fail user acceptance and have never even once been associated in a published study with reducing computer-related injury rates.

Fact - 3rd generation computer pacing technology is the only computer pacing technology which has been proven in published studies to reduce injury related to computers and increase productivity.

Fact - The only computer pacing technology to be the subject of any published studies has been SmartErgo's 3rd generation computer pacing technology (by the way, whenever reading a brochure which refers you to published studies supporting microbreaks, be sure to clearly ask the vendor for a copy of the study and "exactly which software' was used and proven in that published study).

Building a Solution

Through substantial investment into development and research, SmartErgo's ergonomic software tools stand alone with proven Injury Reduction, Productivity Improvement and Return on Investment in the field of ergonomic software products. SmartErgo's unique software solutions have repeatedly been proven to produce significant value to clients. These measurable returns are of great significance to employees, as well as employers who really care about the health of their employees, really measure their bottom line and are really active in cost containment measures.

SmartErgo's Vision

To enable people of all ages around the world to "be the best they can be" while using their computers productively and safely in the workplace, home and school settings.

SmartErgo's Mission

To bring the best solutions to market that promote and deliver new and positive ways for people to use their computers -- leading to increased safety and productivity in the workplace, home and school -- resulting in safe, productive and happier employees, students and people everywhere.

Studies & Research

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