The technological evolution has dramatically reshaped the workplace, facilitating businesses to run more smoothly and perform more efficiently than ever before. Not only has technology enabled physical work spaces to become more fluid and productive, it has also given employees far more freedom and flexibility.
Some of the technologies that have supported this shift include smartphones, tablets, high-speed internet, cloud storage, MFPs and a whole host of innovative software and business solutions. All of these things have allowed employees to optimize their time in a number of ways, such as working on the go, and also enabled tasks to be completed more quickly with greater precision.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that technology is positively changing the way we work…
- Better communication
The options for communicating are ever-evolving; smartphones, VoIP services like Skype, social networking platforms, chat apps and cloud technology have all been game changers in recent years. Emails are being exchanged on the go, meetings are being held through video conferencing, customers can be reached and updated instantly, and documents can be shared from any location in a matter of seconds.
Communication has become fast, more deliberate and collaborative. Thanks to technology, we can essentially do our jobs without being present in the office five days a week, from 9 to 5 – there are endless options for keeping in touch with colleagues and customers, and it’s instant.
- Improved collaboration
Collaboration tools are continuously improving productivity, giving employers the ability to hire talent no matter where they are based. Technology has also completely changed the way businesses operate; one example of this change is the fact that meetings can now take place regardless of the attendees’ locations. This increased collaboration has brought a higher level of flexibility in communication that allows employees to connect with each other more easily.
Businesses won’t truly understand the full benefits of these tech trends until they’re fully adopted across a business. Take the time to work with employees to explain the benefits of these technologies – that investment will pay off!
- Remote working
According to UpWork’s Future Workforce Report, businesses are embracing agile, remote teams with almost two-thirds – that’s 63 per cent – of companies now employing remote workers. Another report shows 70 per cent of professionals work remotely at least one day a week, while 53 percent work remotely for at least half of the week.
These changes are all a result of technology, which has enabled remote working, teleconferencing and the introduction co-working spaces. Mobile and cloud technology has allowed instant and remote access to networks, which has resulted in interconnected workplaces that aren’t just tied to one location.
- Heightened security
With this increasing use of technology and advanced software, the threat of data theft and leaks has been reduced. More reliable security measures are now being implemented in the workplace to support businesses in keeping important information and data safe.
We can help ensure you have all the necessary antivirus software, anti-malware and a strong firewall in place, which all help to prevent unauthorised access to your network. It’s also important to ensure all software updates are installed as soon as they are available – these may include fixes to any potential issues in past versions and be the saviour in preventing an attack.
So, what’s next?
Virtual reality is one of the most exciting new technologies and while it’s not quite taken off in the workplace yet, it is set to transform businesses to a whole new level. Aside from the obvious benefits it will offer businesses, such as understanding consumer behaviour and product consumption, in a more corporate sense the immersive technology has the power to expand the value of communication even further. And then of course there’s the arrival of 5G, which you can read more about in our recent blog.
As you can see, technology has completely changed the way we work, and it will continue to do so for years to come. We look forward to seeing what the future holds, but in the meantime if we can support your business in ensuring you have the most innovative technologies and software in place, give our team a call.