Nowadays, technology is present in all areas of our lives. Businesses and companies are no exception. We can even say that technology has revolutionised the workplace and continues to do so, at a fast pace. New workplace technology is invented and introduced every day.

However, introducing new technologies in the workplace can be a challenge. Technologies alone do not help companies. Employees must know how to use them. Thus, organisations need to provide training and education on new technological devices to improve productivity and effectiveness. A recent survey from Coleman Parkes Research showed that 48% of workers stated they wanted their workplace technology to perform similarly to their personal technology. These statistics help us understand how crucial it is for workers to become familiar with new technologies introduced to the workplace.

Other technological challenges that companies may face are cybersecurity and data protection risks. These risks usually have an external origin, but sometimes, given the incorrect management of technologies, employees can cause them. Thus, effective training, workshops and policies are ways to protect companies and their data. But as much as technology can be a risk to data, it can also help protect it through proper software or programmes.

Even though there are challenges, technological workplaces have an endless number of advantages. For example, they help employees do their work more easily and faster. Access to various technological tools can improve innovation and creativity, as well as help organisations promote their work on social medias or websites. This obviously helps companies stay competitive in the market and communicate more easily with their customers.

In addition, technology has proven to be very useful in terms of workforce communication. It allows workers to talk and interact from anywhere at any time. Technological devices are also allowing employees to work remotely, with access to all work data. This enables companies to hire remote workers or workers who would be unable to come to the typical workplace, like disabled employees.

All things considered, workplace technology is extremely helpful. However, companies’ dependence on it is worrying. Every task is becoming technology related. For instance, if something happens to the organisation’s technological devices or if there is a problem with electricity, employees may not be able to work.

Also, the introduction of technology was accompanied by shortage of jobs and unemployment. Technology can work faster and more efficiently than humans. Thus, some companies, instead of hiring employees, prefer to acquire technology that can perform their tasks. According to an EY 2017 report 700.000 traditional jobs will disappear by 2020 and 850.000 jobs requiring digital skills will be created in the Health Industry only.

As we said before, technology is constantly evolving. Thus, it is necessary to be continuously updating it. These upgrades and possible maintenance have significant costs. Technical problems can also bring unexpected expenses.

Technology is the future, not only at work but everywhere. There is nothing we can do to stop it. Thus, companies need to be prepared to tackle the challenges and overcome the disadvantages.

References:

1. The Pro’s and Con’s of technology in a workplace, May 2019, THRIVE GLOBAL
2. How Technology Improves Workplace Productivity, February 2019, B2C
3. The Disadvantages of Technology in the Workplace, January 2019, Chron