The increasing rise in mobile ‘smart’ technology is leading to a need for a more flexible work space, says a recent Optus study. The study of 320 medium to large organisations found a growing demand to use tablets, mobile applications, and smart phones at work.
Working from home and working remotely is, thanks to this new technology, easy to do. You can send large files in seconds, video conference with colleagues halfway around the world and complete a presentation, all while sitting at a café. However, not all aspects of Australian business are keeping up with the technology.
Remote working
The report warned, that a chasm exists between medium to large businesses and their HR and IT departments when it comes to ‘smart’ technology, which could slow down the growth of remote working. The survey notes that when implementing technology, such as smartphone use, some HR departments aren’t drafting policies that support a flexible work environment and there is a need to develop new policies to facilitate the shift. IT departments, on the other hand, can help more with ensuring connections are secure, the report says.
Taking the tablet
IT respondents in the study expect the number of employees working from different remote locations in the next three to five years to increase from 27 to 42 per cent, while 84 per cent of employees would be issued with tablets.
“If HR and IT departments don’t collaborate better, the move to more flexible working environments could be hampered and impact Australian business growth,” Optus Business Managing Director Rob Parcell said.
How do you make ‘smart’ technology work for you?