Technological changes and how they affect the nature of our work
9 January 2016
Yanina Dayan
The last few decades have been full of technological changes which affect our lives and the nature of our work. Smartphones, laptops, fast internet, cloud computing among others enable communication, storage and transmitting information nearly anywhere. In the past, one had to be physically present at the workplace in order to make phone calls, send faxes, work on computer files and even send emails. These technological changes have affected our lives and the nature of our work.
Nowadays, work is characterized by flexibility, empathy to the worker, consideration and creativity due to these technological changes as well as the following factors:
Workers appreciate their flexibility to work from anywhere, anytime, using any device.
Generation Y characteristics: workers considered part of Generation Y aren't willing to sacrifice their family life for a promotion; they don't rank vocational security highly and do not wish to assume responsibilities at the workplace if doing so requires considerable effort. The outcome of this phenomenon is the following astounding statistic: according to Wikipedia, an average 'Generation Y'
Hereby are a number of technological changes that affect the nature of our work:
The ability to work from any location, at all times, using any device: companies are providing their workers with laptops and Smartphones and support users securely from any location. Support in a mobile work environment enhances workers' availability and efficiency.
Usage of video clips: Businesses use video for instruction, data presentation and transmitting information. VCMS (Video Content Management Systems) provides this ability, as do other popular document management systems.
Usage smart machines and automatization for daily business tasks: utilizing "smart robotics" diagnoses users' emotional state and offers solutions accordingly, thus saving both time and effort. For example, IPsoft is based on cognitive abilities which enable interacting with people using many applications and act as a help desk, providing solutions and saving what would have otherwise been spent on outsourcing.
MCC (Mobile Cloud Computing): companies provide real-time access to company resources from any location and device (as well as managing any complications that can occur when storing data from a mobile device) through a cloud supplier. Enabling work via mobile devices in a "cloud workplace" increases productivity and workers' satisfaction which in turn leads to improved service (according to a KPMG survey report).
The digital organization: converting processes from an analogical format to a digital one, enhances organization performance and better provides products and services. The digital organization is essential for all technologies that may enhance future work force.
In conclusion, companies understand that in order to improve their productivity and reach business goals they must advance technologically while retaining 'talents'. They offer workers a technologically-advanced quality user experience in order for their workplace to succeed as well as be more preferable than other workplaces.
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