Virtual Event : Recalibrating remote workplace for post COVID era – The new normal

The agenda focused on a deep dive on perspectives on how enterprises are changing and transforming their workplaces as a response to the imperatives of the new-normal. This session provided insights on re-calibrating workplace architecture for the new normal and how organizations can establish a safe working environment using AI Ops platforms. The objective: to proactively identify remote working issues and performance to improve user experience. The solution: A zero touch IT support environment enabled by AI and Bots for providing IT support to remote workers. This is further complemented with self-heal and self-help features that support faster fixes and more productivity. 

The informative and engaging conversation with leaders from different companies was anchored by Mahesh Nagaraj, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Microland. He presented his views on Industry challenges and key changes to adopt to thrive in the new normal. He was joined by Rajkumar Thakur, AVP - Digital Workplace, who highlighted the importance of connectivity, security and experience and Natarajan Rajkumar, Director Modern Workplace, Microsoft India spoke about how to have a productive workforce working from home. 

Some key takeaways from the event:

1. Driving infrastructure and behavioural changes : 

The employers and employees are working towards a hygienic, sanitized, no touch workspace that is safe and conducive for getting back to work. Statistics show that 92% of employees are looking for a safe, clean and sanitized place of work. The organizations are adapting well to the new ask and the new normal. The recalibrated workspaces with technology as the backbone is taking over the previous structure. The convergence of Smart Buildings, IoT and IT Infrastructure are making the right balance to deal with the Covid era. 

2. Current imperatives of the new normal across Connectivity, Security and Experience : 

The increased criticality of security to support the remote working environment with technologies such as MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) and unified management of all devices and apps, including BYOD with conditional access has taken top priority. The renewed focus on creating a delightful user experience as a key enabler of remote worker productivity and the concept of DUX (Digital User Experience) with majority of workforce working from home is the new normal. Innovative ways to ensure the workspace ideals are not compromised are being thought of. 

3. Enterprises exploring and adopting new solutions to make it matter :

The Influx of many new ideas to contain the pandemic have been doing the rounds for the last six months. There has been a rise in the number of enterprises who are exploring newer techniques to ensure safety and suggest significant measures to make any process contactless. As an example, digital check-ins at airports, contactless kiosks, zero touch thermal scanning, and video monitoring for safety compliance as mask and face shield sensors have already found a place in our day-to-day lives. Many companies like Popeye and Asus have come up with innovative contactless sensors, doors, elevators etc. The physical aspect of digital workplaces has taken a leap and integrated smart work points, digital tracking via assistant software and digitalizing meetings and movement are the new standard.

4. Transitioning from “Remote Workplaces” to “Winning Workplaces” : 

Enterprises overloaded with new techniques and technology invasion to evade the bad impact of Covid have a new task in hand. The learnings and knowledge sharing must be prompt and across all employees in an organization. The game changer certainly is the one who not only adopts the technology but also uses it judiciously to get the intended outcome. Enhanced organizational productivity is possible with new technology integrated well with the user’s behavioural changes. Bridging the gap between the two is imperative to ensure seamless flow. Digital dexterity is the desire and ability of employees to embrace existing and emerging technologies to achieve better business outcomes. It's a matter of both attitude and skills and very important in today’s context.

5. Driving automation and synergizing impact : 

Collaborating through communication with newer tools and automating the existing ones is indeed the way forward. Although businesses have had reason to embrace digitalization in the past, COVID-19 has provided another strong incentive to accelerate this journey. Machine tools, predictive guidance, M2M collaboration, use of AGV’s are all examples of the movement towards a bold new ecosystem governed exclusively with automation & innovation. As an example - a company called Vero, simulates the informal chatting around a water cooler. It’s a virtual chat room with the flavour of talk at the physical workplace. The ground rule of automation works clearly on enterprise trust as organizations need employees who are willing to unlearn and learn to the practices of the new normal.

Bottomline, while much of the recalibration seems to be a systems level phenomenon, the human quotient will be a key determinant of its success. The digital workplace will also be the winning workplace.