Resistance - something behind automated calibration

It is not controversial to say that automation will increase the efficiency of any process, compared with the current performance. In many automation projects, however, one important issue has been overlooked: resistance. This resistance is not electrical resistance governed by Ohm´s law. It is resistance to change by personnel when automation or technology changes are suggested. This is a common sociotechnical barrier during the course of phasing in new technology. This article is about an unsuccessful attempt to automate calibration processes for electronic measuring devices in a well-established instrumentation laboratory and suggestions on how to address the sociotechnical problem that was encountered. After reading this article, the author will recognize that the introduction of new, very helpful technology may not be successful because of human (sociotechnical) factors.