Every company is looking for the secret sauce to help increase productivity without causing employee burnout and job dissatisfaction. What if we told you that simply implementing more technology into your business operations may be one of the solutions your team needs? While technology might be all around us, minor tweaks or upgrades may shorten the length of business processes and make them less burdensome.
Great Technologies Can Help to Improve Employee Efficiency
Have computers and IT really improved productivity in the workplace? Whether you are a business owner, manager, or team member, it is likely that you have heard the argument, “Technology increases productivity in the workplace.” While at first glance this may seem like an obvious statement to make, there are many people who question whether computers and IT infrastructure really help employees to work more efficiently.
So what do you think? Have computers and IT really improved productivity in the workplace? Let’s take a look! Below we’ll discuss some of the technological tools companies can use to increase productivity and create effective communication among staff.
Upgrade Office Communication Through Instant Messaging
Join the club if you ever wondered why you were CC’d in an email that had nothing to do with your role at a company. One of the keys to excellent communication among staff is assuring that the right message goes to the right people. There are many ways to increase teamwork and productivity without going through the song and dance of creating an email thread. One of the most effective methods is setting up instant messaging software like Slack or Microsoft Teams, allowing employees to communicate privately and instantly in real-time instead of by email.
With remote and hybrid work structures being the new norm, instant messaging is a great way to message coworkers. You can’t waltz over to their cubicles because they’re working from home!
Another great feature of instant messaging is that employees can share files on a secure message thread or chat room for quick access any time they need it without waiting around for responses from others who may be slower responders.
Implement Video Conferencing in Your Business Operations
Video conferencing is not a new phenomenon. Remember Skype? It used to be all the rage when it stepped onto the scene in 2003. However, during the pandemic, it’s been less popular. Platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet are now fan favorites, offering video and phone conferencing. And with the rise of telecommuting, many companies find that they can better manage their work schedules by holding meetings virtually instead of on-site. You can even record your video and phone conferences for your listening pleasure at a later time.
Use ERP Software for Streamline Business Processes
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is software that organizations use to help manage various day-to-day business processes like accounting, project management, and supply chain management. ERP software provides employees with up-to-date business information that they can easily access and use. It eliminates redundant data entry, reduces the number of spreadsheets needed for record-keeping, and creates a centralized database that all team members can access.
It is a proven fact that information can be more valuable when it’s in one place. That way, managers have complete visibility across departments and make smarter decisions while eliminating organizational silos! For example, with ERP, supply chain managers can quickly detect when store shelves need replenishing to send purchase orders to the accounting teams for approval. This can save a lot of time.
Upgrade Employee Workstations
Your company’s old systems and outdated workstations are hindrances to your business operation and performance. It’s essential to assess your current workstations, applications, and tools. You should replace obsolete equipment with more modern machines and make sure all software is up-to-date for maximum efficiency.
If you plan to modernize your network infrastructure and implement new tools, you must keep the end-users in mind. In most cases, the end-users are the employees. Taking a panoramic view of your business processes will help you determine which technologies can help to improve employee efficiency.
If you want to increase efficiency in your business, it’s time to upgrade how you do things. Get rid of the old and make way for the new with video conferencing solutions like Skype or Zoom. You can also utilize an ERP system to streamline your day-to-day operations and get a grip on what needs attention when it comes to running your company efficiently. Improved communication is key too. Use instant messaging instead of emailing because that’s what most of us are doing these days anyway! Upgrade office workstations and provide employees with up-to-date computers so they can be more productive at their jobs — this will help them achieve better results while saving you money in the long run.
To get the most out of your technology investment, you should partner with a knowledgeable and reliable IT consulting firm like ClearFuze, which serves multiple industries throughout Los Angeles. Let our IT experts find ways to implement new IT support tools to make employees more efficient and productive for years down the line! Contact us today!