Nobody will dare to deny that the coronavirus pandemic has completely reshaped our 9-to-5 reality. Today, emerging technologies are turning remote work from a temporary solution into a powerful tool for efficiency and, dare we say, happiness.
In this article, we are going to explore new trends in the field of information technology that are completely changing the rules of working from home. No, our article is not your typical "work in your pajamas" advertisement – it is a genuine journey into the future, where your workspace is literally boundless. Let's open the door to tomorrow together!
The Rise of Remote Work
Let's get straight to the point: remote work has taken the lead. Before the pandemic, only 4% of job listings in the United States offered remote work, according to a Stanford University study. Now, this figure has risen to 15%.
But let's delve deeper. WFH (Work From Home) research reveals the cards: 12.7% of workers now work from home full-time, and another 28.2% are hybrids, completing tasks both in the office and at home.
The second option is also popular, as some roles involve tasks that cannot be performed remotely. Taking an imaginary example, consider Jess, a financial professional in a company. Three days a week, she works from home on some routine tasks. However, two days a week, she visits the office to personally meet with the team and hold meetings with partners. Combining both options is the best choice for Jess.
In contrast, Jess's hypothetical assistant, the financial expert Taras, could be a remarkable professional but physically located not in the United States, but, for example, in Ukraine. His choice would be a fully remote position, allowing him to apply his professional knowledge while being in his apartment in Kyiv. By the way, later in the article, we will explain how our hypothetical Taras can work with sensitive financial information remotely, transparently, and securely, thanks to modern technologies!
Now, the most interesting part! There are companies that have embraced remote work – a significant 16% of them. These are the ones who understand that the future is ahead, and they have decided to embrace it. On the other hand, 44% of companies are still not ready to depart from the old ways. So, we are currently witnessing a battle between traditions and innovations. Judging by the rapid growth of remote job listings, traditional companies insisting on office-only work are losing ground.
So, what do we see in the end? It's not just a shift but a rewriting of the rules of the game. Read on if you want to find out which technologies are making this game truly enjoyable.
Remote Work: A Source of Employee Happiness
Turns out, when everyone talks about remote work, it's not just about perks like video conferences in pajamas and flexible schedules. We can confidently state that it's a real booster for employees' mental comfort.
Here are some statistics for you: 74% of workers say they have become happier since they started working from home. Global Workplace Analytics attributes this newfound happiness to significant savings and the absence of daily commuting hassles.
Employees save anywhere from $2500 to $4000 per year by simply avoiding the morning rush to the office. Surprisingly, there's a bonus even more valuable than money. Each day, they reclaim an average of 40 precious minutes that would otherwise be spent commuting to the office by 9 AM.
And here comes an unexpected twist. Half of those surveyed are even willing to sacrifice part of their salary just to maintain this remote work format. It's not just about the money; it's about freedom – both in terms of finances and the time they no longer waste on commuting intricacies.
This paints a clear picture – employees are voting for remote work, and traditional offices are forced to reconsider. It's no longer just a preference; it's a shift in how we perceive work life.
According to the Buffer report, 98% of people nod their heads, saying, yes, remote work is exactly what they need. Another 98% of those already immersed in this experience say, "Yes, I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."
This unanimous approval of remote work tells us one thing – it's not just some temporary phenomenon. Upwork's research even predicts that by 2025, 22% of the entire workforce will be working fully from home. Imagine the numbers we could see by 2030.
Now, why is this important for businesses? Well, those who are aware and ready to adapt to the future will emerge victorious in the competition for top talent.
The Role of Emerging IT Trends
And now, when you no longer doubt that remote work is serious and not temporary at all, it's essential to explore how modern technologies make it even more realistic.
Blockchain
Let's start by discussing the revolutionary technology that has made waves in the last couple of years – blockchain. To answer the question on many minds: No, this technology isn't just about pouring money into cryptocurrencies; it actively influences various business sectors. The key is that it now provides security and trust over a distance, regardless of your field.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, or DAOs, have emerged. How does it work? Employees can freely communicate, collaborate on projects, share information, and conduct transactions without intermediaries. All of this happens at a brisk pace, ensuring confidence that data won't disappear. No outsider can access or tamper with the information.
- A shining example is Gitcoin, which created an incentive system for developers to support each other with cryptocurrency. Clear and straightforward, this model eliminates shadows and hidden pitfalls.
- Walmart is also not standing on the sidelines. They track every product from the factory to the store, ensuring complete control. As a buyer, you now know the origin of your product and how it reached you. Employees with access to this information can monitor the process from anywhere in the world.
- Consider IBM Food Trust, where blockchain is used to trace products from farm fields to your plate. Knowing the source of your products is straightforward, and all employees can access precise information about the production.
- Let's not forget about Provenance, using blockchain to verify the origin and quality of goods. If you buy something, you know it's not a counterfeit.
So, blockchain is a true savior for companies embracing remote work. Collaborative work, file sharing, and communication now become reliable and transparent, without any hidden agendas. To further enhance the remote work experience and ensure secure and seamless communication, businesses may consider investing in ott application development. This allows for the creation of customized over-the-top applications tailored to their specific needs, providing a comprehensive solution for efficient and secure remote collaboration.
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are transformational technologies. We thought it was just entertainment, but these solutions have found application in remote collaboration and communication. Nothing can better break down the barriers created by physical distance.
The impact of AR and VR on remote collaboration manifests in various areas. It can be both conducting business meetings and working on collaborative design projects. This is applicable to various activities such as architectural design, product development, website design, or creative efforts
Immersive Virtual Meetings
One of the best applications of AR and VR in remote collaboration is creating immersive virtual environments for meetings. Imagine that you are sitting in your living room, while your colleagues appear in the form of realistic holograms, as if they are really sitting next to you in the room. Such a level of immersion obviously improves the visual and sound aspects of communication, making it more realistic. Participants can exchange ideas/documents and interact more interestingly compared to boring traditional video calls.
In a business context, leaders from different continents can gather in a virtual boardroom using VR technology. It's not even worth mentioning that this saves time and resources! The most important thing is that it creates a more dynamic and interactive space for meetings.
To enhance these virtual environments, companies often seek skilled graphic designers to craft visually engaging and immersive elements, creating a seamless and professional experience for participants in virtual meetings. Exploring graphic designer jobs tailored for virtual reality applications becomes crucial in elevating the overall quality of these digital interactions.
Training and Onboarding
The technologies of augmented and virtual reality make the process of learning and onboarding for remote work more engaging and thorough. Instead of relying on static guides or outdated online courses, employees can undergo training in realistic virtual environments.
Agreeably, it is much better and more interesting to absorb information this way. In the case of onboarding processes, new employees can explore virtual office spaces, meet with colleagues in a virtual environment, and familiarize themselves with company protocols.
But the coolest application is in the medical field. Just imagine how medical professionals can practice performing surgical procedures in a simulated environment. This immersive training shortens the learning curve and enhances the skills of healthcare workers. It may sound like something from the distant future, but it's not as far off as it seems!
Collaborative Design Work
Design teams often encounter challenges when working remotely. AR and VR technologies provide virtual workspaces. This is applicable to various activities such as architectural design, product development, or creative efforts. Participants can visualize, modify, and discuss ideas as if they were in the same room.
Real-life Examples
Spatial
Spatial provides a platform that allows employees to work together in virtual spaces. When teams gather in a virtual office, they see each other as three-dimensional avatars. Using gestures and tools within the virtual environment, they can discuss projects, annotate three-dimensional models, and manipulate objects.
Usage scenario:
An architectural team, located in different parts of the world, uses Spatial to discuss the design of a building. They enter the virtual space, where they see a three-dimensional model of the building. Employees can navigate inside the building, make changes to the design of walls and windows, and discuss project details. All of this is done using virtual tools and annotations.
Oculus for Business
Oculus for Business provides VR solutions that can be adapted for various industries. For example, ExxonMobil uses Oculus to train its employees, especially those working on oil platforms.
Usage scenario:
Newly onboarded project workers can undergo virtual training. It simulates complex working conditions on an offshore platform. They can enter a virtual space where they must address various tasks, typically related to safety, equipment interaction, and handling emergency situations.
InsiteVR
InsiteVR provides construction companies with the ability to conduct virtual site reviews. How is this beneficial? It allows for the identification of potential issues at the planning stage.
Usage scenario:
Engineers and designers working remotely enter the virtual space created with InsiteVR. They can freely navigate the construction site model, discuss the design, make changes, and identify potential conflicts between different project elements. All of this happens in real time, significantly accelerating the decision-making process.
So, these real-life examples have shown that, beyond making remote work more accessible with such solutions, they also enrich collaborative processes, making them more interactive, efficient, and dynamic.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Boosting Productivity
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a real force in changing remote work and, perhaps, has revolutionized processes most noticeably at the moment. This is the automation of tasks and obtaining understanding and overall productivity. Applications of AI in the context of remote work are diverse. Let's consider some of them in more detail.
- Microsoft Cortana. Microsoft's virtual assistant, Cortana, is an AI-based tool. It helps remote workers manage their daily tasks. It can schedule meetings, set reminders, and even provide information about the user's schedule based on previous interactions. Integration of Cortana into Microsoft 365 applications simplifies many aspects for workers, allowing them to do more with less effort.
- AI chatbots from Google. Companies like Google use AI chatbots to facilitate communication and support for remote workers. These chatbots can answer common questions and help employees solve standard problems. This reduces dependence on traditional IT support.
- Einstein Analytics from Salesforce. Einstein Analytics from Salesforce uses machine learning algorithms to analyze data and provide valuable research. How is this useful in remote work? For example, this tool can predict project timelines, identify potential bottlenecks, and even suggest recommendations for resource allocation. Thus, remote teams can make decisions based on data. This significantly improves project efficiency.
- Workday Prism Analytics. Workday provides Prism Analytics, an AI-based platform. It provides in-depth research on employee performance. This tool analyzes data from various sources. Managers receive valuable performance metrics for remote employees.
- Darktrace for Cybersecurity. The more remote vacancies arise, the more acute the issue of cybersecurity becomes. Darktrace, an AI-based cybersecurity solution. It uses machine learning to detect and respond to cyber threats here and now. This technology is important for protecting remote workers, or rather for protecting sensitive data they work with.
- UiPath for Robotic Process Automation (RPA). UiPath provides RPA solutions (they use AI to automate routine tasks). For remote workers, this means the ability to delegate monotonous tasks to AI bots. Thus, they free up time for more creative and strategic work.
- IBM Watson for HR. IBM Watson's AI capabilities extend to human resources management. Here it helps in hiring staff, introducing new employees, and even managing performance. Thus, HR specialists can easily find suitable candidates, conduct virtual induction programs, and track employee development.
- Salesforce. Salesforce uses AI in its 'MyTrailhead' learning platform to recommend personalized educational paths for employees. Thus, training corresponds to the individual career goals of each employee.
- IBM AI Collaboration. IBM has integrated AI into its collaboration tools, providing features such as automatic transcription of virtual meetings. This improves communication and accessibility for remote workers. This is especially relevant in multicultural teams with different languages.
With the continuous development of AI, its impact on remote work will only increase, do not doubt it. Future trends may include more advanced AI-based collaboration tools, improved cybersecurity measures, and an even more personalized employee experience. The integration of AI into remote work is a dynamic and evolving field.
Companies effectively using AI technologies gain significant advantages. First of all, they notice improvements in the quality of collaborative work and overall productivity. Delegating monotonous tasks to AI is something that all modern companies should prioritize to free up resources!
Conclusion
The statistics don't lie – remote work is here to stay. The integration of blockchain, AR, VR, and AI is not just a tech enthusiast's dream. In fact, it's a practical response to the evolving needs of a remote workforce.
The remote work revolution is not just about WHERE we work. It's about HOW we work. By embracing these emerging IT trends, we can unlock the full potential of remote collaboration and create a future where work is not confined by walls but fueled by innovation and connectivity.
Author: Roy Emmerson
Roy Emmerson is the co-founder of TechTimes.com, a B2B SaaS platform that helps businesses stay up-to-date on the latest technology trends. With over a decade of experience in the tech industry, Roy is a thought leader in the field and is passionate about helping companies embrace new technologies to improve their operations and drive growth.