Beginning in the early 21st century, a wave of technological innovations has transformed the workplace. These advancements have lowered labor costs, improved communications, reduced waste and minimized companies’ environmental impact. Productivity levels have improved in industries that have adopted a tech-heavy business structure, and new improvements are continuously being developed to make your workday easier. Whether you manage a large facility of employees or a mobile crew, you can implement the following innovations to increases revenues and stay competitive.

Smart Buildings

Although smart building technology has gained the most attention for its use in private homes, the technology has become prevalent in office buildings and manufacturing facilities. It can control the building’s temperature, humidity levels, lighting and appliances. You can adjust the building’s controls with a mobile phone or Wi-Fi device and view statistics that display the building’s water and energy usage. After installing automatic light fixtures, you can use smart building technology to conserve energy and lower your utility bills.

Software Innovations

Advanced software has streamlined many of the laborious tasks that took workers several hours to complete. Accounting, payroll management, forecasting and security are some of the areas improved by innovative applications. With Wi-Fi and mobile apps, employees can use the software to work away from the office. Project managers, who manage multiple job sites, can use a construction app to monitor workers’ job performance and timecards. For recruiting new candidates, HR managers use hiring apps that minimize paperwork by digitizing the entire application process. Tax forms and resumes can be downloaded by the manager and viewed from any connected device. From auto shops to large corporations, innovative software has helped increase efficiency, raise productivity levels and reduce environmental impacts.

Cloud Storage

A reliable data storage system is essential for every business. External hard drives used to be the only option for business owners to back up their data, and a cyberattack could cripple the drives connected to office terminals. Cloud storage allows you to store data and view it from remote locations, and it protects you from cybercriminals that target your company’s data. If a viral attack damages your system, you can retrieve vital data from the cloud and continue to work. When you’re shopping for a cloud provider, research your options and only hire an experienced firm with a high customer approval rating. Discount providers should be avoided since they cannot offer a high level of security protection for your data.

AI Bots

You’ve probably used an automated service when you pay a credit card bill online or check an account balance, but recent innovations have led to AI bots taking over many of the functions previously performed by humans. Artificial intelligence is a growing field that continuously strives to make its digital workers more informed and life-like. Human interactions with robotic assistants are less complex and agonizing than they were only a few years ago. In the last year, medical centers have used AI bots to make appointments and set up virtual medical visits. Call centers have also benefited from the technology by downsizing their operations and using AI bots to replace human operators. Since the technology continues to improve rapidly, you’ll eventually communicate with AI bots whenever you dial a company’s contact number.

Digital Communication

Another way that tech innovations have revolutionized the workplace is by improving communications. The days of workers communicating with pagers and fax messaging are in the past. Instant messaging services, video chats and conferencing, email messaging, and digital file transfers have allowed employees to communicate instantly and efficiently. Since remote work has become more prevalent, video chat providers have improved the picture clarity, sound quality and lag time in the image. Business owners no longer need a massive conference room to hold meetings but can use video conferencing to remotely connect with their teams. Digital communications can lower your monthly utility bills and conserve office space.

Cybersecurity

As hackers invent new techniques to steal data and create fraudulent accounts, security firms work tirelessly to protect you from potential attacks by developing new software improvements. Computer viruses and malware receive a significant amount of media attention, but your business needs a robust security program that also protects you from DNS tunneling, phishing attacks, man in the middle attacks and other damaging criminal acts. Purchase a premium security service from a trusted provider that offers several levels of protection.

By using technological innovations, you can raise productivity levels and continue to expand your business.