The modern workplace has certainly changed in the last decade, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. As many employees quickly shifted to home working, the need for technology to bridge the gap between home and office became apparent, and although lockdowns are now a thing of the past, many people have continued to embrace hybrid or home working, with great results. 83% of employers say that homeworking is a success, while 84% of employees say they are just as effective working from home¹.

Smart technology is the primary reason for that success as it allows employees to connect to the office no matter their location. It also encourages a more efficient, productive workplace that can save on resources and energy if used correctly.

Here are five easy ways that you can begin to integrate smart technology into your workplace:

1.) Connect to the cloud - If you're thinking of incorporating smart technology in your workplace, connecting to the cloud is a great first step. Use cloud-based services to increase the accessibility of your data, boost your security and mobility and increase productivity and collaboration among employees with applications such as Microsoft Teams.

2.) Employee engagement apps - With the huge shift in workers transitioning from office to home or hybrid work arrangements, mobile or desktop apps are the perfect smart technology to keep employees connected to the office by displaying staff announcements, personal profiles, maps displaying staff locations, and more.

3.) Intelligent lighting and heating systems - Using artificially intelligent lighting and heating systems can save a lot of energy by automatically adjusting to the office conditions based on occupancy, time of day and season. An easy first step is installing motion sensor lights in common areas such as bathrooms and canteens.

4.) Cybersecurity - As technology becomes more advanced, there is also an increasing need for better cybersecurity for many companies. Investing in the latest cybersecurity systems can help protect your company and customer information from outside threats.

5.) Touchless sensors - Try installing virtual sign in devices for employees in place of outdated touch-based systems. Using an online clocking-in method or facial recognition software can save time, avoid errors and reduce the transmission of certain illnesses.

Whether you are planning a complete overhaul of your operations or a slow introduction of new technology in your workplace, keep in mind that a smart office should be uniquely designed to suit your company and employees' specific needs. What works for others may not work for you and vice versa, so take time to understand what changes will be the most beneficial to your workplace to ensure that your investment is worthwhile.

Author: Shirley Carruthers - Content Creator at ParkerSteel

References:
1) tskgroup.co.uk/smart-technology-in-the-workplace