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The past few years have taught us a valuable lesson in adaptability. As we venture into deeper into 2023, it becomes crucial to embrace the next phase of transformation, and smart lockers hold the key to this evolution
Not only have our personal lives undergone substantial changes, but the professional landscape has also experienced a significant upheaval.
Who would have thought this time two years ago that a significant majority of employees would be working in a hybrid environment? Probably not the 83% of UK office workers that now think flexible working is here to stay.
However, not being in the office has had a negative impact on the way tech support is provided, with almost half (45%) of remote workers having to wait longer for an issue to be resolved whilst working from home.
Change is the only constant, as the old saying goes, and there are certain IT trends such as using smart lockers and systems that will play out over the next 12 months that businesses will need to stay on top of to ensure competitiveness and deliver the workplace of the future.
Intelligent Automation
With remote staff being away from their computers at any given time or working more flexible hours, the moment has finally come to pivot and learn how we can operate out of sight and out of “sync”.
What business should be considering is an asynchronous way of working as it is a crucial enabler of a productive, engaged, and innovative team in an in-between arrangement.
Technologies such as robotic process automation, natural language processing and intelligent document processing are continuing to reduce the dependence on repetitive, manual labour while taking out the risk of human error creeping into critical tasks.
In 2023, businesses continue to shift and explore these new ways of working to understand whether they can truly be a crucial enabler of how productive, engaged, and innovative teams prefer to work.
Instead of collaborating in real-time – such as strolling to the next desk to ask a question – remote work has driven businesses to become more reliant on collaborative technologies as their primary mode of communication.
Deploying intelligent automation strategies is making a big difference in beating a competitor to market. Hiring internationally-based staff is one of the biggest challenges when expanding globally, but this could be overcome in the short-term in the same way websites use automated chatbots during hours when staff aren’t online.
Intelligent automation is leading to process streamlining, increased efficiency, and reduces the need to put employees in charge of repetitive or time-consuming tasks - liberating them to focus on more creative and collaborative tasks.
Improved Remote IT Support
With the flexible working genie firmly out of the bottle, workers expect the flexibility to work around childcare responsibilities, family commitments, and personal errands. The eradication of the daily commute means this new world has completely knocked the previous working rhythm out of sync.
Employees are now dispersed across the country because all they need is a functioning laptop and steady internet connection to fulfil their duties. However, they’re always just one technological hiccup away from grinding to a complete halt - 73% of employees said they had to wait up to an extra five hours for an issue to be fixed whilst working remotely.
Although remote tech support was already a thing pre-Covid, employees always dreaded being on the phone for hours while 'IT gurus' scrambled for a solution. But as IT teams themselves have started to work more flexible hours, businesses and employees still require round-the-clock technical support in case the worst happens.
Thankfully, IT support has evolved from this. Remote desktop apps such as Teamviewer are becoming much more commonplace on work laptops, so too are Smart locker tools that can help prolong the life of devices by preventing and predicting issues before they happen.
When it comes to replacing hardware, Smart Lockers that store IT equipment backed up by the cloud are starting to pop up in locations close to offices and remote workers, reducing the time taken to source new devices and get staff back up and running.
Indeed, by using systems such as smart lockers, broken devices can be swapped for loaned replacements. Instead of being placed on hold, employees simply log their request in a support portal and swap out equipment at their closest hub — saving valuable time, resources, and costs.
ServiceNow Built On Now app integration
The Velocity Smart Lockers™ and Velocity Smart Vending™ take convenience to the next level by offering full ServiceNow integration. By bringing the concept of "Click and Collect" to the core of the office, these smart lockers enable employees to easily retrieve their IT equipment and peripherals, reducing wait times and enhancing productivity. Additionally, the ServiceNow-powered Smart Vending Machines provide a touch-of-a-button experience, delivering essential peripherals instantly.
To further enhance the user experience, the ServiceNow Smart Locker solution offers global support, delivery, and logistics services. Whether businesses operate across borders or have remote offices, the solution ensures seamless access and timely support, guaranteeing uninterrupted operations.
By embracing the ServiceNow Smart Locker solution, enterprise organisations can unlock a new era of streamlined IT management. With automated processes, efficient asset distribution, and robust support services, businesses can optimize their operations, reduce costs, and empower employees to work with enhanced productivity. The future of enterprise IT management is here, and it's driven by the power of ServiceNow Smart Lockers.
This blog was updated in August 2023