8 Tech Trends Changing How We Work In 2016

We have witnessed a tremendous change in the way people everywhere use technology to complete their daily tasks. Today’s workforce books plane tickets, hails taxis, collects payments, pays bills and even controls their home from their smartphone or wearable device. Innovations from our personal lives are converging into our careers and people expect it more than ever. People value the flexibility to work from anywhere, any time, on any device, and have come to expect this user experience. What does this mean for the business? Greater complexity to support the end user experience in a secure way. However, the benefits to the business when they support mobile workspaces and workplace of the future are typically substantial.

While this all might seem a fad or frivolous to older generations, it is an expectation for the Millennials and is having a trickle effect to most people in the workplace. As much as companies now understand the need to create innovative new ways to interact with clients in meaningful ways in order to attract and retain their business, the same is true for your workforce. Employers who want to attract and retain top talent have to offer the same quality user experience to their workforce before the competition does (this is key).

What follows are some key trends that organizations need to consider and prepare for as the workforce of the future is at their doorsteps today.

1. The Ability To Work From Anywhere, Anytime And On Any Device

Simply put, work is no longer a place you go, it is something you do and Millennials have fully embraced that concept. According to research by Kenan-Flagler Business School, “one in three Millennials said would prioritize device flexibility, social media freedom and work mobility over salary in accepting a job offer.” The ability to work from places like home, hotels, coffee shops, airports and even airplanes from devices that are familiar to the end-users offer the type of flexibility sought without compromising productivity.

2. Video Content Management

Businesses have been using video for training and marketing for some time and are increasingly integrating it with their communication systems. Use of video content in the workplace will increase with applications such as remote diagnostic assistance for field tech and access to how-to video feeds for service. As the number and size of video files grows, so will the need for the ability to search for specific content, optimize streaming based on access device and analyze usage analysis. Video Content Management Systems (VCMS) provide this capability much like the more familiar document management systems.

3. Smart Machines And Automation

Arguably one of the most disruptive transformations that is taking place is the introduction of smart machines and automation in everyday business tasks. Traditional robotics that has been used in the manufacturing sector involved machines programmed to execute repetitive or dangerous tasks. In the context of this discussion smart machines are those that verbally interact with people using natural language. Unlike common voice activated menu based systems we know well, cognitive agents process what is being said, learn and adapt to the situation, can detect the emotional state of the person they are interacting with and direct users to the next steps or level.  Technologies such as IPsoft’s Amelia are built on cognitive agent capabilities that allow interaction with humans in applications such as level 1 call-center or service desk support. This technology will impact the workforce on many aspects. It can rapidly scale capacity, handle level 1 after-hours help desk calls or supplement positions often outsourced offshore.

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