The emergence of smart technologies enabled workplaces to become more productive and allow for a work-from-anywhere model. Web conferencing tools such as Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet, and workplace social networking tools such as Slack and Microsoft Yammer were already gaining popularity prior to the pandemic.
In this study, the following technologies comprise the digital workplace: email, instant messaging, shared calendars, videoconferencing, enterprise social networking, skills database, document collaboration, knowledge sharing, content management, workflow management, virtual desktops, and unified communications.
As seen in Figure 1 from our full report, Digital Workplace Technologies Adoption and Customer Experience , digital workplace technologies have high adoption, ROI, TCO, and satisfaction rates. The only metric with a moderate rating is investment. But in 2023, the adoption rate for digital workplace technologies was 77%, an eight-percentage point drop off from the year before. The market for digital workplace technologies might be maturing, with a focus on maximizing the value of existing solutions and ensuring strong ROI before further adoption.
A well-designed digital workplace allows employees greater flexibility and a better work-life balance in their schedules as employees can connect from anywhere using mobile intranet software. As a result, employee satisfaction increases when they are provided with appropriate resources.
Despite the positive business outcomes, there are implementation challenges. New technologies or processes are sometimes accompanied by organizational resistance to change. Managers need to be proactive in ensuring employees are trained and supported. Investing in new technologies, software licensing, and even infrastructure upgrades can come with a hefty upfront expense. It can also be a difficult task to select the appropriate tools, ensuring that they work with the systems already in place. The total cost also increases with maintenance, user education, and technical support for the selected technology.
It is important to remember that relying on mobile devices and connected devices (IoT) can introduce new entry points for cyberattacks, expanding the perimeter that needs to be secured. Additionally, concerns around employee data privacy and potential misuse of information require robust security measures and clear data governance policies.
“The digital workplace has revolutionized work, boosting productivity and flexibility,” said Asif Cassim, principal analyst for Avasant Research, based in Los Angeles. “However, challenges in implementation, security, and cost management require careful consideration.”
Meanwhile, the metaverse is an emerging environment for a digital workspace. A metaverse workspace is a shared virtual space wherein participants can collaborate on common objectives. It is driven by immersive communications technology like virtual and augmented reality or other robust video and audio communications.
Our full report quantifies the current adoption and investment trends for digital workplace technologies, as well as the benefits driving companies to expand their implementations. We assess these trends by organization size and sector and look at the ROI and TCO experiences of organizations that have adopted these technologies. We conclude with practical advice for those planning new investments in digital workplace technologies.
This Research Byte is a brief overview of our report on this subject Digital Workplace Technologies Adoption and Customer Experience. The full report is available at no charge for subscribers, or it may be purchased by non-clients directly from our website (click for pricing).