As part of the workplace transformation process, businesses are automating and streamlining many operational and daily tasks to focus on more thoughtful and creative aspects of their jobs. As such, there’s been an increased uptake of workplace technology – such as file-sharing platforms, instant messaging services or audio and video communications services – in the hopes of allowing employees to perform more productively and efficiently.
A critical question to ask before deploying new software and applications
However, businesses often deploy new software and applications for employees without considering how the tools work together, or if it’s even possible for them to work together. When this critical factor isn’t considered, new tools can hinder workers more than help them.
Instead, businesses must explore how workplace software will work in tandem to provide an optimal working environment. Integrated technology ecosystems can propel employees to increase their productivity, leading to greatly improved business success.
Luckily for Australian businesses, integrated technology ecosystems are becoming commonplace, with software providers implementing app marketplaces or support for other software solutions within their own applications. As a result, employees can collaborate and communicate seamlessly, increasing their overall workplace satisfaction and productivity.
Connecting the workforce seamlessly
As workforces continue to disperse, remote working has become more prevalent, and businesses have had to determine how to best connect this workforce to achieve the benefits of agile working and face-to-face collaboration seamlessly. To do this, businesses should ensure their file-sharing platforms, work management tools, and audio or video communication solutions can work together, using software integration for the ultimate best-of-breed workplace technology ecosystem.
File-sharing platforms which can be opened with the click of a button in their video communication platform, or vice versa, are a key example. Instantly start a video call while working within a document not only increases employee efficiency but also encourages the use of tools like video communications which will increase connectivity between dispersed workforces.
Companies like Dropbox have excelled at facilitating integrated technology ecosystems to improve collaboration. Through integrations with services like Slack and Zoom, Dropbox users can work simultaneously on projects while keeping communications in one place, or starting audio and video calls for more in-depth conversations. All of this is actionable within Dropbox’s application because technology providers have acknowledged the business need for simplified systems.
Employees work more efficiently when they aren’t fighting with technology. Research from the Society for Human Resource Management shows that employees are much more satisfied with their workplace when they feel like they are adequately resourced.
Technological frustrations often lead to dissatisfied employees, limiting business productivity and increasing employee turnover. By using integrated software ecosystems, employees can expect their workplace technology to cause less disruptions to work because they are designed to function together.
A progressive organisation attracts progressive talent
When businesses are considered a leader in technology use, they’ll attract more high-quality employees. A 2016 survey of 1,000 Millennials found 93 per cent considered modern technology an important factor in accepting a job offer. The new generation of workers are accustomed to services working together seamlessly, whether it’s PayPal integrated into payment platforms, single-sign-on with social accounts, or mobile phones with every service at their finger-tips; Millennials expect this same level of integration in the workplace.
By deploying software solutions which connect seamlessly, businesses will be better empowered to effectively collaborate and communicate on projects in the future. As a result, employees will be more satisfied with their workplace and experience increased productivity to drive business success and growth.
Michael Chetner, Head of Asia Pacific, Zoom Video Communications
