Businesses of all sizes are spending more on tech than ever. According to a study from Gartner, North American businesses spent over $6 billion on technology alone in 2017. With fastly growing technology solutions, it’s no wonder so many companies are jumping on new trends. These innovations help make tedious tasks a breeze, and they’re changing the way we get things done.
With so many changes ahead, how do business owners know what’s worth their time and what’s a waste of money? This concern alone keeps many leaders from confidently choosing improvements that benefit their entire office. This list will tackle the latest trends in office technology while explaining how they have the potential to transform your business.
Shared Screens
Thanks to the rise of teleconferencing, we’re seeing an introduction of more shared screens in the workplace. The Surface Hub by Microsoft is the prime example of this, but even more are expected to hit the market soon. These devices are large, collaborative, and built for teamwork.
Like whiteboards of the past, these screens allow collaboration with an emphasis on accuracy. These large tablets will help teams stay connected even when they aren’t in the same physical location. This means remote working and contract work will be easier than ever in the near future.
Credential Technology
With so many recent information leaks recently, it’s no wonder one of the biggest trends today is in credential technology. Companies need to take privacy seriously while finding new ways to optimize the login process. Who doesn’t get tired of entering numerous passwords all day long to access secure information? That’s where credential technology comes in. We’re already seeing this in smartphone devices with facial recognition and fingerprint software, but what if this could be used in an office setting as well?
In the near future, we’ll likely to see more types of recognition software that tracks an individual’s physical characteristics to start work immediately. Microsoft is already using this technology with their Windows Hello biometric sign-in. Soon, your employees might be able to just sit in front of a computer and start working without having to remember multiple passwords. This also makes it more challenging to leak sensitive information, and it’s much more secure than a password.
Prototyping Office Technology
Another new tech trend has to do with the rise of 3D printing. More than just a buzz term, 3D printing is changing virtually every industry today. Not only is this technology more environmentally friendly, but it allows more room for customization (source: https://www.3erp.com/rapid-
Surely you can think of a few unique ideas for products that would revolutionize your daily tasks in the office? Using 3D printing, these ideas can be brought to life quickly and affordable. Who knows? Maybe you’ll invent the next million dollar idea.
Wireless Charging Offices
Nobody likes the look of bulky wires, and finding an open charging port in a busy office can feel like an impossible challenge. Thanks to wireless charging, these hurdles are a thing of the past. While you can find some wireless chargers on the market, these aren’t built for the workplace, and they don’t work on a large scale.
Luckily, that’s changing rapidly. ChargeSpot is a wireless charging transmitter that can be installed under a table surface. From there, it can wirelessly charge smartphones and tablets without the need for bulky tables. It’s finally possible to charge your device with ease.
Voice Recognition
While you probably use Siri to set your alarm or give you directions to your favorite coffee place, have you tried voice recognition in the workplace? Though this is still a little-tapped office technology, voice recognition is rapidly developing as we speak. This innovation is intuitive and can adapt to different users quickly. It’s being used in all kinds of ways to make life easier in the office, from starting the coffee maker to printing a document.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality isn’t just used in video games. It’s slowly but surely making its way into the workforce, and it’s got the power to really shake up the system for good. While in the future we’re likely to see VR in a number of ways, today’s is mostly used for training purposes.
Last year giant retailer Walmart announced they’d be utilizing virtual reality for the training of employees. This technology allows employees to experience real-world workplace scenarios through a headset so they know how to handle these situations with confidence in the workplace. It will be exciting to see how other companies adopt this technology in the next few years.
Final Thoughts
The world is moving quickly, and offices need to make big changes to keep up with new technology. Luckily, most of these trends like the ones listed above bring big benefits that help employees and leaders alike. What are you most looking forward to in your own office? How can technology help you get the job done more effectively?
