Only about 7% of Arizonans currently work remotely, but that number is expected to climb significantly in the near future. More and more people are looking for flexibility out of their work schedules, and employers are quick to save money on office space and overhead.
Technology is helping employers and their offsite teams stay connected, and a few key systems are driving the telecommuting industry in a major way.
Read on to learn about the top tech trends that are boosting innovation in the remote workplace.
Rising Productivity
Productivity is one of the leading concerns most remote managers have when it comes to overseeing off site teams. Lack of a physical office environment means employees are left to their own devices to meet deadlines, seek approvals, and stick to the production schedule.
Tools like online project management platforms, employee monitoring software, and timekeeping apps helps workers and managers to keep the entire operation running smoothly.
Managers can see when each worker clocks in and out for the day, as well as the length of idle sessions when they step away from their devices. This feature alone can add thousands back into your company’s budget by reducing time card theft and boosting operation-wide production.
The growth of productiving tracking solutions via smart software systems is directly affecting the culture around online time management and production. Employees are aware that their actions are visible, while also being able to see the metrics for themselves and identify areas they can improve.
Everyone has different preferences when it comes to when, how, and where they complete work to the best of their abilities. Allowing all parties to use digital systems to find their groove can boost output across the entire organization.
Secure and Seamless File Sharing
With so much of the digital world existing on the cloud, it’s easier than ever for workers to securely access everything they need from any device.
With cloud-based sharing, storage, and word processing programs it’s possible to keep your digital office space online without incurring maintenance or onsite networking costs. All of the materials your employees and business partners need can be hosted via secure online websites and account platforms.
This feature makes it safer and more accessible for employees to use their own devices, which can cut down on company costs significantly. This is also a benefit for creative people who enjoy a higher sense of agency and ownership over their work.
Payroll Processing
Are you still cutting live checks for your employees? If so, you’re way behind the times. Online payroll is the way to go.
The vast majority of people in the workforce prefer to receive their paychecks digitally via direct deposit. This allows companies to have more control over the payroll process, and employees can access their funds a few days sooner.
Traditional payroll methods are clumsy and difficult to track, since the only action being measured is when employees arrive to work or leave for the day.
With online payroll and employee tracking software, every action is visible by the digital system. When employees leave for breaks, or simply leave their desks, that idle time can be recorded in the background.
Task Management and Automation
The future is now, and both employees and managers are trying to make the most out of every minute spent on the clock. Task automation is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce corporate spend on staffing, operations, and production costs.
The more you’re able to handle automatically with savvy tech tools like artificial intelligence, the more time you can spend on creative and engaging tasks.
Common tasks that are ideal for automation systems include:
• Blog planning
• Social media scheduling
• Email marketing
• Instant chat
• Customer support tickets
• Project management
• Web traffic tracking
• Newsletter management
The average employee is able to reduce their annual workload by the equivalent of more than six weeks on the clock using task automation. This amounts to about $4 million annually for American employers.
Remote work is all about flexibility, transparency, and efficiency. Helping workers get into a flow that works for them individually is giving companies a way to stay productive and thriving during the ongoing market shift. These are just a few key ways technology is helping to drive innovation and growth across the telecommuting sphere.
