Ways Technology Has Restructured Modern Workplaces

[This article was written by Ankit Patel.]

Workplaces have changed over a period of time. The way employees communicate with each other to the way appraisals are conducted, everything has drastically changed offices and impacted work culture to a great deal. During the last decade, technological changes have impacted the office settings like never before. Whether it is a small or medium scale organization, the impact of modern advancements is obvious. Bringing in improved efficiency levels, these technological tools have also expedited the growth of the organizations. The industries which used to take around five years to record substantial growth are now able to depict tremendous growth within just a year. All thanks to technology which has powered things with momentum.

All this prompts us to answer one question – “Is my workplace technologically competent?” How much automated your workplace is depends on the nature of your business. Sometimes it is important for a manual process to be in place to ensure efficiency and faultlessness in specific business processes. Nevertheless, technology doesn’t come solely with a promise of mechanization but also comes with an assurance that its outcomes will be error-free and precise. Let’s take a look at different ways in which technology has marched into modern workplaces and revolutionized the way business operations take place.

·         Paper Work to Pen Drives:

A lot of tasks used to take place on paper-based documents in traditional workplaces. With the advent of new developments, all the huge paper work, right from employee records to contracts with clients have been pocket-sized and fitted easily into files and folders on desktop computers. Any file can be transported from one location to another in a simple pen drive. Now you can roam around the world with all your office documents right in your pocket. For crucial business information, you can encrypt or lock your pen drive with password.

Still concerned, you may lose the pen drive? Well, pen drive is an option to access data where you don’t have internet connectivity. You can save all your business data securely on Cloud or Google Drive so that you can access it on the go. The modern offices have minimized the use of papers; making the optimum use of digital tools. You know what the best part is? It saves lot of paper and in a roundabout way trees! How environment friendly!

·         Personal Conclaves to Video Calls:

Meeting a client abroad, during previous times, meant international travels, lodging, investing flying times, etc. Personal meetings are now becoming extinct with technology making possible for businesses to virtually visit any organization or client’s office situated miles away. Video calling has made it possible for businesses to confirm the identity of clients and also discuss trivialities of a project on a digital basis. This has also fueled the growth of the entire outsourcing industry. Previously, traveling was a major obstacle viewed expensive by organizations both in terms of time and cost. With the advancements of video calling tools, more businesses prefer to enter into deals with other businesses abroad. Making use of this technology, businesses are saving time and cost at the same time ensuring quick communication and efficiency of operations.

·         From Verbal Talks to Online Messages:

Taking the preceding point ahead, communications at workplaces have taken a quantum leap owing to the technological growth. What once used to be a verbal chat between colleagues for completing a specific project is now a chat over an instant messaging system used by all the employees of an organization. People are no longer wasting time in communicating important business information or decisions. It all happens within an instant. Human Resources have especially been powered with the upcoming technologies. All their communications to employees now happen on emails. Employees can be instantly informed about the approaching changes in the organization. An employee is just a notification away from all the important business information which organization or colleagues need to convey.

·         In-Office Operation to Remote Working:

One of the significant trends which arose with modern advancements is remote working. With state-of-the-art technology, employees can work from any location. This new approach has also empowered managers to give staff the freedom to work from anywhere as advanced tools help them track employee’s performance during the day. They can monitor the productivity of remote workers from any location. It has made it possible for organizations to hire employees across various geographical boundaries. As the employee is away from office and has been conferred with convenience of not having to commute daily to office, he or she feels more accountable and grateful to the organization. This indirectly pushes up the productivity levels.

In a round-about way, remote working has reduced operating costs for organizations. A remote working employee is totally dependent on his or her desideratum, from a work desk to internet connectivity.

Take me for an example, I have been travelling across the world due to personal reasons, yet employers gave me the privilege to work online as they can easily get details of tasks accomplished by me on a daily basis. On the other hand, not having to travel daily to workplace and dressing up to go to work, has given more time to me to concentrate on my tasks and also repay the favor in the form of work dedication and accuracy.

The aforementioned points clearly depict the immense change technology is bringing about at workplaces and the number of benefits it confers on individuals as well as organizations. The way we will use advancements in technology will also undergo a change. Utilizing all the tools might not be possible for us but making the best use of some of the advancements can reap in great advantages. Workplaces are transforming tremendously. Do you think there are some other ways in which technology is impacting offices these days? Share your opinions or thoughts in the comment box below.

Author Bio:

Ankit Patel is a  Project/Marketing Manager at XongoLab Technologies LLP and PeppyOcean, which are offering top-notch web and mobile app development solutions globally. Depicts his multi-talented personality as the manager of content marketing department with the same companies. As a hobby, He loves to write about new & upcoming technology, mobile & website, business & marketing, design & development, and more