A recent study of frontline IT leaders found that, despite being aware of the link between powering a modern workplace and business success, most organizations are failing to modernize their work environments.
More than three-quarters of business decision makers in Canada recognize that technology devices that make it easier for employees to do their job is critical, according to research by Ipsos and Microsoft Canada. “Business leaders are faced with profound challenges in a rapidly evolving economy and it is critical that they rethink everything from the organization’s culture to the physical and digital tools they provide to their workforce to drive value and stay competitive in this new world of work,” said Jordan Sheridan, General Manager of Modern Workplace, Microsoft Canada.
The need for modern tools is even more pressing as the number of millennials in the workforce grows. In another poll, millennials said that modern and up-to-date technology is one of the most important aspects of a workplace.
As such, modernizing the workplace should be part of every organization’s digital transformation.
The three pillars of the modern workplace
A workplace can only be considered modern in 2020 when it is comprised of three “pillars:”
- The ability to work anywhere in the world — The traditional model had people getting up every day and making their way into the office to do their day’s work. Organizations must provide portable devices and wireless connectivity to make it possible for people to work outside the office — at home, at a client site, on the road, wherever.
- The ability to work any time — The traditional workday model had employees “working nine to five,” and staying late when workload or deadlines demanded. In the modern workplace, employees should have the ability to work any time. In the Ipsos poll, the majority of Canadian business leaders (84 per cent) said that modernizing how employees work, including the introduction of flexible hours and work arrangements, is important to the success of business.
- The ability to work on any device — In the modern workplace, employees are carrying smartphones and tablets with them wherever they are in the world, be it a home office or at a branch office or an airport lounge. The modern workplace is one where people can work on the device that’s most convenient.
The three challenges you need to consider
Any discussion around how a company is to evolve to be able to power this new “modern workplace” must include three make-or-break challenges and how to resolve them:
- Security — Organizations must maintain airtight network security despite the fact that the modern workplace is one where people are connecting to resources inside the enterprise using devices outside the enterprise.
- Productivity — Employees must have 24/7 access to the materials and resources they need to work with the same speed and efficiency as if they were in the office. As well, they need tools to help them find the right materials quickly.
- Collaboration — Employees also need the ability to seamlessly share information with co-workers and clients. The Ipsos poll showed that 88 per cent of business leaders believe that helping employees collaborate leads to better outcomes.
The right tools
Legacy applications often hinder businesses that want to transform the workplace. Softlanding helps companies migrate to new tools to improve productivity while ensuring that security doesn’t slip. The right tools can bring your organization together with a shared workspace where you can chat, meet, share files and work with business applications. It allows teams to spend less time on looking for information and setting up calls, and more time on higher value activities.
Do you want to get your workplace modernization started? Contact Softlanding to get a Teamwork assessment now.