What are the benefits of a digital workplace?

A digital workplace is a secure, cloud-based platform that allows businesses and their workforces to operate in a virtual environment.

With a digital workplace, employees can access the data and tools they need to carry out their roles and collaborate with their teams, from anywhere and at any time. Wherever team members are, they can collaborate seamlessly and productively within the digital workplace.

This free flow of information allows employees to work more flexibly, improving their productivity. It also increases employee satisfaction and engagement, allowing all employees to access the right information wherever and whenever they need it.

There are several different benefits that come hand-in-hand with a digital workplace including:

Over the past 2 years, businesses have learnt that the ability to adapt quickly is essential for survival and success. A digital workplace gives organisations and their employees significantly more flexibility in all areas of their working life.

For many employees, that means the ability to work from anywhere, on any device, allowing them to achieve a better work-life balance. For businesses, it gives them the flexibility to adapt quickly to times of change or crisis.

Digital workplaces can also reduce operational costs.

With the ability to work from anywhere, more people are choosing to work remotely or are taking a hybrid approach. More collaboration is also being done virtually rather than face-to-face. This means businesses are spending less on office space and travel. 

A digital workplace can help eliminate distractions and streamline working processes, resulting in higher levels of productivity across the business. That means employees can get more done in less time.

Having all the tools and data employees need in one easily-accessible place also increases productivity.

Digital workplaces can also support the automation of certain manual tasks. This takes time-intensive tasks away from employees, saving time and freeing them up to focus on other parts of their role.

Digital workplaces make it easier to share information, knowledge, and ideas, especially between remote, hybrid, and distributed teams. This helps ensure everyone has equal access to information, wherever they’re based, avoids miscommunications, and creates a culture of inclusion and accountability.

Providing a digital space for colleagues to connect and engage, a digital workplace also encourages employees from different areas and levels of the business to interact with one another. This two-way communication creates an environment in which creativity and innovation can thrive.

Although some people may struggle with new technology and resist change, once they get used to it, technology can really heighten your employees’ experience at work.

Providing them with collaborative tools, social profiles and activity feeds to utilise, digital technology can instantly unite a workforce. 

In the current market, attracting and retaining employees can be challenging. A digital workplace can help a business retain valuable employees by improving engagement and their overall employee experience.

And, when it comes to attracting talented employees, a digital workplace shows that the business is committed to a people-first culture, is flexible, and encourages easy communication.

A remote, hybrid or distributed workforce can pose a number of security challenges and risks. However, when they’re working through a digital workplace, advanced, unified security measures can better protect systems and data.

A successful digital workplace must be simple, flexible, open, social, customisable and secure. So, if you’re considering a digital workplace, there are some factors to think about first.

• Does your organisation have the tools and processes in place to achieve this?
• Can every employee connect to the tools, systems, and information they need, regardless of where they are?
• Do you have the protection in place to protect your data and ensure you’re fully compliant with the relevant laws and regulations?
• Do employees know how to use digital tools effectively?
• Are there processes in place to support employee communication and engagement?

By considering these factors in the early stages, you’ll be able to design a digital workplace strategy that delivers optimum results and can be implemented seamlessly.

Although there are many benefits that come hand in hand with a digital workplace, it’s important to take into account potential disadvantages.

Possible downsides include a loss of interpersonal communication skills, dependency on technology, the costs associated with keeping tech up to date, security issues, and employee resistance to change.

However, if the digital workplace strategy is well-managed and delivered, it is possible to overcome, or at least minimise, many of these issues.

Here at CHG-MERIDIAN, we are specialists in technology solutions and asset finance for IT, Healthcare and Industrial equipment. We'll provide you with access to the latest technology and help you switch to a digital workplace.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help your business to benefit from a digital workplace.