Final answer:
Customers in a direct contact environment interact directly with people, offering a personal touch that differs from technology-based interactions. The history of technology, including the invention of computers, has shaped business interactions, but human contact remains crucial for quality customer service.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a direct contact environment, customers interact directly with people. This face-to-face interaction is essential in many service-oriented businesses where customer service and personal touch are important factors. Unlike interactions with technology, such as computers, software, and machines that facilitate indirect contact, direct contact requires human employees to engage with customers.
The history of technology demonstrates how technology has transformed business interactions over time. For example, the invention of computers revolutionized not only our daily lives but also the way companies operate and interact with their customers. While technology like computers can sometimes fail, impacting customer experience and revenues, the use of human intermediaries in direct contact ensures a personal level of service that technology alone cannot always achieve.