2020 will surely go down in the history books for many reasons, but no one can overlook the transformative impact its circumstances have wrought on the way we collaborate and connect to get work done. And while the world counts the economic costs of the global health crisis, forward-looking enterprises like Crestron are looking at workplace change through a longer lens, building the tools and applications to enable us to work together safely and effectively — wherever we’re located.
The new Crestron whitepaper Workplace 2020 and Beyond explores the impact that the pandemic has had on the digital workplace transformation, catalysing future-of-work trends for which Crestron have been creating for years — but with new priorities and constraints, for the hybrid workspaces we are now envisaging.
Unleashing the power of working from anywhere
By separating the work being done from a fixed location or device, the power of flexible spaces, seamless UC, and fluid meetings, are unlocked. While communications and interaction with colleagues may have suffered for some in the throes of lockdown, consciously designing frictionless communications technology into workflows and tools transcends physical location. And existing spaces can be modified, to ensure safe distancing, touchless interactivity, and automated monitoring and new ways to keep people safe.
As Andrew Gross, Director of Sales UC Enterprise, explained, ‘businesses have to work within the physical constraints of their building, but we can retrofit dynamic collaboration, installing flexible — even mobile — video conferencing and collaboration technologies to turn any room into a hub of productivity.
The same technology is promoting the implementation of ‘new normality’ guidelines, such as wireless presentation solutions, bring-your-own-meeting functionality, occupancy sensors/counters, and completely touch-free interactions – while at the same time AI monitors flow and resource usage, to inform policies and anticipate user needs.
“It’s the combination of flexibility, scalability, mobility and analytics, that will help people work safely and productively in the workplace of the future,” Gross continued. “We’re creating all of these smart tools and layers to essentially work unnoticed in the background — so if you’re using a medium-sized meeting room to work on site with 3 other colleagues and a remote team, you’ll find the cameras and mics responsively configured to work across that space and its newly-understood safe occupancy parameters. You won’t have to do anything — just get to work.
“You’ll even be able to activate the room and start the meeting or presentation simply by turning up there, in a completely touch-free way — thanks to a combination of sensors, commands, and scheduling tools”
The future is flexible and fluid
Ensuring that the return to the office happens in a completely different way to its chaotic abandonment in the spring means getting advice from all stakeholders, to ensure every occupant is kept safe, productive, and fully engaged in all aspects of company culture, whether they’re working on site, working remotely, or adopting a more hybrid approach. Creating spaces for mobility and blended working takes thought and occasionally radical rethinking of the way teams communicate, collaborate, and connect — but there is little point designing any workspace now that is not both fully accessible for remote workers, and completely safe for those present in the building.
Crestron’s new report references the most up-to-date insight from Gartner, Gensler, and more, along with their deep knowledge of digital transformation, to weave a powerful vision for what to expect. The technology exists, to do this right — and to transform the way we work together forever. Organisations who want to thrive in the competitive economic environment of the ‘new normal’ will need trusted partners who have driven innovation through decades of digital transformation, and are still looking to a bright future in 2020 and beyond.
Download Workplace 2020 and Beyond to explore the possibilities.
