With the capital that went on to spark the digital revolution effectively built up in part during the Industrial Revolution, it’s rather ironic that a couple of generations later we’d be questioning whether or not the subsequent digital revolution is stealing away those jobs that were deeply-rooted in the Industrial Age. It is true that industrial automation solutions have made work extremely easier and more efficient for the workers and management alike. But is the digital revolution really stealing jobs? Let us look at the entire scenario.

A short-term view suggests so

Perhaps just for interest’s sake, if you narrowed your view down to a short period of time, the most logical conclusion you’d draw from the jobs stats would be that the digital revolution is indeed stealing jobs. When you look at the proportion of people who enjoy online slots, UK numbers paint a pretty scary picture when you consider how many physical casinos have subsequently had to scale down their operations and perhaps even shut down completely. So for every online casino platform that pops up, it’s either a completely new one which doesn’t have any history of a physical equivalent, or it could be a digital version of one that previously existed physically. It could also be a physical one joining the digital revolution as well, offering online gaming in addition to its physical equivalent…

Online casinos obviously then don’t need to hire the likes of croupiers, cleaning staff, floor managers, floor security personnel, etc.

A longer-term view paints a different picture and tells a different story

So the short-term view paints a pretty scary picture, suggesting that the digitization of various industries, like warehouse management, which employs a significant workforce, is indeed causing concerns about job displacement. A longer-term view, however, which is a more objective perspective, tells a different story. It can be seen that as businesses expand their logistics operations, the demand for drivers, warehouse staff, and customer service representatives also grows, contributing to job opportunities and better working conditions for employees. It becomes necessary for them to maintain their software tools through CMMS solutions and management of the digitized inventory requires specialized professionals. This could allow the people manually managing this to contribute to their organizations in more meaningful ways.

It’s not a matter of the jobs that appear to be becoming obsolete disappearing entirely. For every job opportunity effectively lost to digitization, new ones are being created. To illustrate this point, consider the automation of repetitive tasks in different sectors, such as the coordination of shipping sales labels, label printing, carrier management, and order fulfillment. Utilizing solutions like netsuite shipstation integration or similar alternatives can provide workers with the opportunity to transition into more engaging, higher-value roles that are less susceptible to burnout or monotony.

Additionally, the shift toward greater automation is not limited to warehouse management. Many other industries are undergoing similar digital transformations. This transition not only alleviates the burden of mundane tasks but also enhances overall efficiency, accuracy, and productivity across various sectors. Workers can redirect their efforts toward tasks demanding creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, thereby contributing to the growth and innovation of their respective industries.

What does the future look like?

Any economy should be looked at as the sum of all its parts, in which case it becomes clear that it’s rather greater than the sum of its parts. So in a future where there is a greater emphasis on digitisation and automation, we must never forget that the infrastructure operating the digital world still needs physical housing and maintenance.

The future is NOW!