Today’s workplace continues to evolve due to ever changing technology advancements. Some of the top trends include cybersecurity, remote work, voice search, cloud computing, and more.
The top trends employers can expect to continue into 2019 include:
1. Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality – According to predictions by Gartner, an IT research and consultancy company, 20% of large enterprises will begin adopting some form of these solutions in 2019. Early adopters such as Boeing, Facebook, DHL, and Facebook have already fully integrated augmented and virtual reality into their training programs. It has reduced overhead associated with employee training. New software for collaboration also includes VR.
2. Cybersecurity – With cyber-attacks continuing, organizations must make every effort to remain secure. All organizations, especially those in healthcare or banking, are expected to fully protect their customers’ information. With these attacks only worsening and getting increasingly high-tech, the cybersecurity trend will continue into 2019 and well beyond. As Bring Your Own Device in the workplace becomes more popular, cybersecurity will become even more important.
3. Remote Work – Collaboration platforms like Slack, Workfront, and Trello have allowed remote work to become the norm in many organizations. As the workforce tightens, geographic limitations are no longer an issue with the ability to work remotely. 3.9 million Americans now work from home at least half the week, according to the State of the Remote Job Marketplace report by FlexJobs. That’s 2.9% of the total U.S. workforce. Nearly 50% of Americans spend at least some time working remotely or from home according to Gallup. According to the State of Remote Work 2018 report, 90% of remote workers prefer to stay remote over going back to a traditional office environment.
4. Voice Search – Technology like Google Assistant and Siri have made the transition to virtual assistance in the workplace natural. comScore.com predicts that by 2020 50% of all searches in the workplace will be by voice. Orders can be filled by voice-command and data can be manipulated by speech.
5. IoT – The Internet of Things (IoT) – a network of devices such as vehicles, and home appliances that contain electronics, software, actuators, and connectivity which allows these things to connect, interact and exchange data - has played a huge factor in making workplaces more efficient. Lights and heating can now be controlled online. Smart workplaces now leverage technology for everything from reordering office supplies to handling routine administrative tasks.
6. Cloud Computing – Cloud computing continues to grow as more and more organizations have moved their information and software to the cloud. In the State of the Cloud Survey by Rightscale 96% stated adoption of cloud-based services to boost both workforce and organizational productivity as a priority. According to the Sierra-Cedar 2018-2019 HR Systems Survey 54% of organizations now use a cloud-based HR application.
7. Artificial Intelligence – Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more prevalent in the workplace than many people realize. Consider all of these AI-based tasks that many of us take for granted everyday:
a. Predictive Text
b. Route Suggestions
c. Voice Assistants
d. Voice Search
e. Translation Apps
f. Voice-to-Text
g. Email Classification
h. Automated Calendar Entries
Technology continues to redefine how work gets accomplished. Organizations are continually looking to increase efficiencies in the workplace by utilizing technology.
Additional ASE Resources
Annual HR Conference – Join us at the Annual HR Conference March 14, 2019. One of the four tracks is Technology, Trends, and Analytics which contain sessions focusing on how employers can leverage technology to drive business results. For more information or to register click here.
Source: Cemtrex.com,Sierra-Cedar.com