#workplace technology

On this #TechTuesday, we’re sharing How electronic digital computing systems unburden men's minds, perfect for the person who has ever wondered “Just what is an automatic electronic digital computing system?” This circa 1958 pamphlet was created by Remington Rand UNIVAC to help explain the work that computers were capable of doing. Naturally, the illustrations are excellent, if a bit distracting. 

The Critical Role of Network Infrastructure in Modern Workplaces

Network infrastructure is the backbone of modern workplaces, enabling employees to access resources, collaborate efficiently, and maintain productivity. Strong networking systems support cloud applications, communication platforms, and business operations while helping organizations adapt to changing technological and workplace requirements.

In any workplace, the front desk is an entry point but is also a first impression for guests. Clients, vendors and interviewees are all visitors too, and how you handle visitors reflects directly on your professionalism and efficiency. Paper logbooks, manual ID checks and paper badges do not reflect today's speed and safety criteria the workplace requires. Enter visitor management software.

What Is a Visitor Management System?

A proper visitor management system will do more than log visitors; it offers increased security, faster check-ins and an enhanced visitor experience overall. You have the ability to pre-register guests, IDs can be scanned in real-time, visit badges are issued digitally, and alerts can be created so you can efficiently welcome your guests, the safe and professional way.

The risk of human error, delays and security risks are too high using manual entry systems. Furthermore, keeping track of who entered, when they arrived and who they met becomes impossible. With digital visitor management all this data overlaps and is automatically recorded to keep you compliant with policies while keeping your visitor logs all in one place, easy to retrieve.

Features Of Visitor Management System

1. Contactless Check-in:

Enjoy a risk-free entry based on QR codes or mobile devices.

2. Pre-Registration: 

Give guests advance notice and expedited admission.

3. Instant Notifications: 

When a guest arrives, the host receives an automatic alert.

4. Visitor Badges: 

Visitor software personalized ID with photo, name, visit detail printed onsite.

5. Live Data Dashboard: 

Current and past visitors (with timestamps) available in seconds.

6. Security compliance: 

Documented entries and exits to support safety audits and point of reference in emergencies.

Conclusion

In this fast-moving world, offices have to stay abreast of technology to remain efficient, connected, and productive. The second-most-popular area that technology has huge repercussions over is AV-Audio Visual. The AV solutions make people communicate better, present ideas clearly, and collaborate smoothly, be it in the same room or in a remote setting. If one is setting up a new office or renovating the current one, here are 5 AV technologies that each office must have to invest in:

1. Video Conferencing Systems

Video conferencing technology is now a necessity in any workplace nowadays. Irrespective of whether your teams are in-house, at home, or somewhere across the country, a competent video conferencing system must connect them all.

Why it's important: 

Facilitates meetings that are easier and more personal than a plain telephone session

Saves travel time and cost

Makes remote teams feel included

What to look for: 

Clear camera (HD or 4K)

Good microphones and loudspeakers

One set of applications that are very user-friendly include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and the like. 

2. Interactive Display or Smartboard

Think of an interactive display as a giant touchscreen TV. It replaces the aged and clunky whiteboards or projectors and allows you to draw, write, and move things around while in a meeting or presentation.

Why it’s important:

Great for brainstorming sessions

Easy to share and save notes

Encourages team collaboration

These smart boards are especially useful in meeting rooms, training sessions, or creative team spaces.

3. Wireless Presentation Systems

No more haywire moments trying to share your screen via cables.Wireless presentation offers anybody in the room an option to quickly share their laptop, tablet, or phone with the meeting room screen-short of plugging.

Why it's important: 

It saves time and just avoids hassles during setup.

Works with all devices-Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.

Smoothens the flow of meetings.

Some popular systems are ClickShare, Miracast, and AirPlay. 

4. Digital Signage

Digital signage uses screens around the office to display information, updates or branding messages. They can be placed in the lobby, meeting rooms, kitchen or corridors.

Why it's important: 

Shares important announcements quickly

Improves internal communication

Give a modern look to your office.

You can use the digital signs to greet visitors or show live data or safety updates.

5. Room Booking and Scheduling Systems

These are small screens or software tools that show whether a meeting room is free or booked. Some are placed right outside meeting rooms, while others work with calendars like Outlook or Google Calendar.

Why it’s important:

Prevents double-booking of rooms

Helps teams plan better

Saves time and avoids confusion

Some systems even show which rooms have video conferencing equipment or are suitable for large groups.

Why AV Technology Matters

Investing in AV technologies for the workplace isn’t just about having the latest gadgets. It’s about:

Helping teams work better together

Creating a more professional environment

Supporting remote and hybrid work

Supporting remote and hybrid work

Save time and reduce stress

Your AV is working perfectly so your team can focus on what matters. 

Final Thoughts 

AV technologies are changing the way the office works. From meetings to comms, it’s a must have. When you’re planning an office upgrade consider these 5: video conferencing, interactive displays, wireless presentation, digital signage, room booking systems. 

Need some expert advice or help setting up the best AV technologies for your office?

BBC News: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54289152

Title: 'I monitor my staff with software that takes screenshots'

Author: Lora Jones

Summary

For the last year and a half, Shibu has used Hubstaff software to track his workers’ hours, keystrokes, mouse movements and websites visited. By looking at screenshots and how much time everyone is taking on certain tasks, he knows if they’re following procedures. During the coronavirus pandemic, more people work from home. That’s why there has been a spike in demand for software that monitors employee activity. Recent study, by Cardiff University and the University of Southampton (Reuschke, 2020), found that bosses are afraid that out-of-sight workers will shirk. Bosses who use these types of software might argue that it’s good for maintaining productivity, but research by the CIPD (CIPD, 2020) suggest that workplace surveillance can damage trust. Jonny Gifford suggests that any firms using monitoring software should have written policies in place explaining how and why it is being used. There should also be clear guidance for managers and safeguards in place to prevent misuse or "over-monitoring".

APA:

CIPD. (2020, July 2). Workplace technology: the employee experience. Retrieved from www.cipd.co.uk: https://www.cipdhttps://www.cipd.co.uk/Images/workplace-technology-1_tcm18-80853.pdfco.uk/knowledge/work/technology/workplace-technology-employee

Reuschke, A. F. (2020, august). Homeworking in the UK: Before and during the 2020 lockdown. Retrieved from Wiserd: https://wiserd.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Homeworking%20in%20the%20UK_Report_Final_3.pdf

Personal opinion

I understand that bosses are afraid of the productivity level of their employees, because they don’t have a sight on them when working from home. But I agree with Jonny Gifford, senior adviser for organisational behaviour research at the CIPD. He says that employers will get "much better results" by supporting employees, "rather than focusing on potentially irrelevant measures of input, such as the number of keystrokes". As an employee it’s your own responsibility that you fulfil the work you must do each day. Personally, I would feel bad if somebody was tracking me on a less productive day. It’s important that employers trust their employees. I think that monitoring distracts from your work, because the focus is more on the number of keystrokes than on the content of your work.

New word

By 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies such as virtual personal assistants and chatbots will replace almost 69 per cent of the manager's workload, predicts research and advisory firm Gartner, Inc.

Such technologies are rapidly making headway into the workplace, Gartner said.

"The role of manager will see a complete overhaul in the next four years," said Helen Poitevin, research vice- president at Gartner, in a statement.

"Currently, managers often need to spend time filling in forms, updating information and approving workflows. By using AI to automate these tasks, they can spend less time managing transactions and can invest more time on learning, performance management and goal setting," she said.