Article Digital Transformation through the Digital Workspace
By Insight UK / 7 Jan 2020
By Insight UK / 7 Jan 2020
In its broadest sense, digital transformation can be described as the use of technology to digitise existing processes so they are more efficient and to create entirely new ways of working. This can open up new revenue streams as well as help develop more engaged and motivated employees.
The technologies that comprise this megatrend are numerous, but general consensus dictates they include cloud, mobile, data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A digital workspace is an example of all these elements combined, helping organisations to achieve their digital transformation goals.
Almost two fifths of employees miss information at least once a day because they’ve been forced to manage too many communication channels. On average, employees use as many as 30 applications to complete their day-to-day tasks. The use of so many disparate applications is time-consuming, inefficient, and prevents the creation of a consistent user experience. Digital workspaces can aid productivity by providing consolidated and consistent access to applications, they can also provide a single pane of glass interface to all users essential information, freeing time to focus on priorities and collaborative working.
Digital transformation is a journey which includes a change to new ways of working, and any change in working practices can meet resistance unless the workforce is engaged in the process and open to adoption. Digital workspaces help drive employee satisfaction and engagement, fostering trust and loyalty within the workplace.
The consumerisation of IT means employees are more demanding when it comes to technology. Staff want to use the same devices and applications at work as they do in their personal lives and can be less engaged if they’re not given the tools they desire. This has an impact on productivity and can lead to security challenges if users turn to ‘Shadow IT’.
Less than one third of employees say they are happy with their employer’s approach to technology while four fifths of employees have reported a disadvantage at work because they have been unable to use their preferred technology.
Research suggests 67% wish they were able to work from home and 30% state they would choose flexible working over a pay rise if they were only able to choose one perk.
Digital Workspaces can be used to effectively distribute contextual and relevant company information, driving greater employee engagement. Company-wide emails are too insincere, Intranets are static repositories of what can be outdated information, while internal newsletters are laborious to create, often lost in the ‘noise’, and fail to create a conversation.
Less than half of all internal communications are viewed as relevant by employees and nearly 50% of dissatisfaction is caused by ineffective internal communications.
Then there is the issue of a skills gap – in the IT department and beyond – that can stifle a transformation project. Talent attraction and retention is one of the biggest technology concerns among European organisations, while any solution that requires a high level of technical literacy in the workplace is doomed to failure.
Technology is also playing a role in candidate decisions with 48% saying the technology on offer would influence whether they accepted an offer or not.
Because Insight Digital WorkspaceTM is similar to the technology used by employees in everyday life, organisations that have adopted the platform could have an advantage in negotiations.
In many ways, a digital workspace is the perfect example of the potential of digital transformation.
Advanced communication and collaboration options show how entirely new ways of working can make employees more engaged, productive and fulfilled. But most importantly, it is simple to use and doesn’t add any additional skills burden to the workforce.
To learn more, read our ‘Guide to Digital Workspaces’
