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How to Prepare Your Business for the Digital Future

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Digital Transformation and the Future of the Workplace

A digital storm is brewing, and digital transformation is now happening faster than ever. Our private and professional lives are becoming more digital every day with new devices and technologies changing the way we maneuver through everyday life and work. New hybrid work models replace old-fashioned in-office work concepts. Outdated technologies are being upgraded into modern and smarter versions.

This trend towards new work concepts also changes the expectations we have of our workplace. Employees expect a modernized work environment and a business mindset that is open-minded enough to experiment with new technologies which, eventually, make work smarter, faster, and more efficient.

IoT technology in particular speeds up the trend towards smart automation and digitization of the corporate world. How can employers leverage state-of-the-art technologies to guarantee a modernized work environment for their employees? What tech trends should we keep an eye on when modernizing the office space?

In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the smart technologies, which we believe, will play a major role in turning your office into a smart, digital, and more connected workspace. Discover the advantages a smart office brings to your business and learn how to establish your company as an attractive player on the job market in a future that is mostly digital.

Implementing a Modern, Technical Framework

When implementing digital future technologies in your office, you should first make sure to have the proper technology framework in place. If you want to connect devices to each other across departments and floors, a fast and stable wireless connection is vital.

Wireless internet connections might be the norm by now, but is your connection as fast as you want it to be? Do you have enough access points in place so that devices will stay connected to your network if an employee moves around your premises?

We recommend you analyze the current bandwidth available in your area and compare it to your actual bandwidth use to see if an upgrade might be overdue. Is there a fast data line (fiber-optic internet connection) available in your region? If so, are you already leveraging the possible bandwidth fully?

Access to a high-capacity network brings faster internet connectivity which is absolutely crucial for accomplishing your daily tasks. It also paves the way for introducing new technologies into your business, such as IoT devices. If you want to leverage the advantages of IoT usage in your organization, it is important to understand that the proper functionality of IoT relies on a stable, comprehensive wireless connection that guarantees permanent digital access.

State-of-the-art Equipment Guarantees Flexibility

The coronavirus pandemic has created a demand for implementing new remote and hybrid work models. These new ways of working from home or any other place in the world are here to stay, and employees will expect this new flexibility from potential employers in the future.

Especially the young workforce no longer sees modern devices, such as notebooks and smartphones, and the option to work from home as rare luxuries reserved for management positions only. Modern work appliances are considered the new norm and show that your business is up to date with technology.

If your business can only provide old-fashioned, bulky equipment which is not compatible with each other, you should reconsider if these devices really do represent the current decade. Portable devices – such as laptops, surfaces, tablets, or smartphones – are not only more practical than stationary devices, but they also offer flexibility for your employees and secure your business continuity in case of unforeseen external events.

Docking stations for laptops enable your staff to use their notebooks at home and in the office, so you do not have to provide two different devices for remote and in-office days. You can take them with you to face-to-face meetings and connect other devices, such as beamers or smart TVs, to them.

Remote Desktop Software – A Fast VPN Alternative

Since Remote Work is no longer just a trend, businesses should adapt their software solutions in a way that employees are guaranteed long-term remote access to their workstations from home fast and easily. Many companies are using VPNs to connect their employees working from home to the server in the office. VPN connections, however, can be very slow and sometimes hinder your staff to complete tasks quickly.

A modern and reliable Remote Desktop Software is a great VPN alternative as it is not only secure through end-to-end encryption based on military-grade security, but also comes with unparalleled speed and allows instant device access and data transfer. The right tool comes with customizable security settings, such as Permission Profiles, Custom Clients, or 2-Factor-Authentification, and creates additional layers of security.

Remote Work doesn’t have to be a pain, if the tools you provide for your employees empowers them to be more flexible without having to cut back on speed and stability. With high frame rates, a good Remote Desktop Solution will create a smooth on-screen experience when accessing another device. Switching to a modern Remote Desktop Tool could also come in handy for your IT team when providing Remote Support to your employees as it offers a high level of IT administration.

Re-asses what type of connection you are currently using to connect your remote workers to their workstations. New state-of-the-art remote technology, that can easily be integrated into your existing IT infrastructure, is enabling faster and more secure workstation access opportunities. If you are still using VPN technology, reconsider if this is truly the right choice. A high-performance Remote Desktop Software can be the ideal Remote Work alternative, especially when it comes with Mobile Device Management options to allow platform-independent access.

IoT Implementation for a Modern and Personalized Workspace

IoT is already a big trend when we think of Smart Homes. Regulating the heating through your mobile device while you are out and about, and using your cell phone to comfortably dim the lights while you are nestled up on the couch, are just a few conveniences IoT technology is making possible today. If we can turn our houses and apartments into smart homes, why not turn the traditional workspace into a smart office?

Smart sensors, for instance, can save your business energy costs by turning devices or lights on and off automatically. If your office is equipped with and connected to smart data analysis tools, IoT technology allows you to monitor and adjust the climate or humidity levels inside the office remotely, adapting them to your employees’ personal needs.

Visual gadgets such as digital signage, create a modern atmosphere in the office environment and can display the latest company news or digital room information on whether the meeting room is currently booked or free. You can manage the content of these signages from any device digitally and remotely or even update the booking status of a room in real-time.

Connect your office devices with each other to create a workspace that goes beyond the grey standard cubicle experience. Personalized room adjustments via smartphones, modern equipment, and smart devices that can be accessed and operated remotely are the future. Is your business ready for a digital upgrade or are you still living in the past?

Takeaways

If you want your business to be prepared for the digital future, you need to invest in new technologies, such as IoT, and welcome changes in the workplace. Replace conservative office management with progressive thinking, otherwise, you risk being left behind in the race for digital transformation, and losing valuable time and money in the process.

Aligning your organization for the digital future means optimizing your workflows, providing modern hardware and software, and abandoning old habits, so you don’t end up being outpaced by your competitors. Free yourself from the motto “we have always done it that way, so it must be right.” Just because things have always been done a certain way, it doesn’t necessarily mean this way is still the best and most profitable one for your company.

Be open-minded to trying new work concepts such as hybrid work. Remote Work is not a threat to productivity but – if your employees are equipped with the right tools – a chance to become a more attractive player on the job market and contribute to the work-life balance of your staff.

Ignoring digital transformation will eventually cost your business more than introducing new future technologies. Invest your money and time in properly upgrading your technological infrastructure now to lay the groundwork for implementing the technologies of tomorrow.

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