Technology experts feel Workplace Modernization becomes a part of organization’s Digital Transformation

Pandemic has pushed organizations to adopt the latest technologies for continued business operations, fulfilling customer expectations and demands, meeting employee expectations and achieving productivity in a hybrid work culture. To achieve all these organizations need to undergo a digital journey to empower employees and build an agile work environment by adopting workplace modernization. Now, it has become a part of an organization’s digital transformation journey and it is important for any organization as it enables its employees with tools and technologies to be more productive, improves collaboration and communication among employees, increases flexibility, reduces costs and improves security. It helps organizations to remain competitive in the market.    

It is when organizations will start adopting technologies among the workforce, investing in new solutions, upgrading employee skills in latest technologies etc. that will help in advancement of Industry 4.0 to 5.0.

Let’s take a look at the views of technology experts on workplace modernization.

Modernizing the workplace is critical for digital transformation journey
 

Harsh Arora  
Group Head IT, Hindustan Power 

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
The requirement of modernization of business is essential for the survival of the business. IT can contribute a lot to achieve this. There are many factors. The important ones are:

To be able to work anywhere in the world
To be able to work any time
To be able to work on any device
To be able to work securely

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Digital transformation is imperative for all businesses, from the small to the enterprise. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new urgency to meeting digital transformation goals – and forced many organizations to speed up transformation work. An organisation may take on digital transformation for several reasons. But by far, the most likely reason is that it is a survival issue. An organization's ability to adapt quickly to supply chain disruptions, time to market pressures, and rapidly changing customer expectations has become critical. Modernizing the workplace is a must in the digital transformation journey.

Workplace modernization for 2023
We are looking for a comprehensive platform which enables employees, vendors, customers, and other stakeholders to collaborate seamlessly. The platform should be secure, configurable and scalable. It should offer the features like document sharing, chatting, audio/video group calls, integrate with other business critical applications etc. We are evaluating Meta Workplace, Slack, Google Workplace, Microsoft 365 suite etc.

Modernizing workplace provides employees with tools and technologies to be productive

Sachin Arora
CISO, dcafé digital

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
There are several key factors that businesses should consider when modernizing their workplace. These include:
Employee needs and preferences: Modernization should take into account the needs and preferences of employees. This can include providing them with the tools and technologies they need to be productive, as well as creating a comfortable and engaging work environment.
Improved communication and collaboration: Modernization can improve communication and collaboration within a business by providing employees with access to the latest collaboration tools and technologies. This can help to increase efficiency and productivity, as well as foster a sense of community within the workplace.
Increased flexibility: Modernization can also increase flexibility in the workplace by allowing employees to work from anywhere and on any device. This can help to improve work-life balance and make it easier for employees to manage their workloads.
Cost savings: Modernization can also lead to cost savings for businesses. By implementing new technologies and processes, businesses can streamline their operations and reduce their reliance on costly manual labour.
Improved security: Modernization can also improve security in the workplace by providing employees with access to secure, encrypted communication and collaboration tools. This can help to protect sensitive information and prevent data breaches.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Modernizing the workplace should be a part of every organization’s digital transformation process. Digital transformation involves the adoption of new technologies and processes to improve business operations and increase efficiency. Modernizing the workplace is a crucial part of this process, as it can provide employees with the tools and technologies they need to be productive and improve collaboration and communication within the organization. Additionally, modernizing the workplace can help to increase flexibility, reduce costs, and improve security. Overall, it can help organizations to stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions.

Workplace modernization gives a new meaning to digital transformation

Jaideep Khanduja
CTO, AccioMango

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
There are many factors that businesses need to consider in modernization of the workplace.  A recent study 'IT at Work: 2022 and Beyond' was conducted around July this year, by ManageEngine, the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation. One of the key elements that emerged out of that study is - a successful hybrid work culture demands collaboration between IT and non-IT teams. It also says AI and ML are crucial contributors to strengthening IT security frameworks. IT decentralization is drawing bigger benefits for businesses. On top of all above, IT security has emerged as the biggest challenge.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Digital transformation journey has got a new meaning now for enterprises. Many things which were not there in the original plan are coming out as a priority in the new roadmaps.

Workplace modernization for 2023
For 2023, maximum focus will stay on collaboration tools, acquiring new IT skills, workplace and work time flexibility, embedding AI and ML into the core IT security frameworks, IT decentralization, and strengthening of IT security team.

“Our goal is customer satisfaction by using latest technology”

Lakshmana Vadaga
Head - IT, Imagicaaworld Entertainment 

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
The CIO’s role is becoming more proactive than reactive in approach. A CIO needs to infuse enough checks and balances in place to avoid risk. It is important to focus not only on technology deployment in an organisation but essentially the mindset needs to change. Considering the modernization of the workplace, a CIO needs to discuss with all stakeholders before implementation of any application or infrastructure.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
In any industry, a CIO has to play a dual role of understanding its core business and driving the business with the help of IT strategies and technologies. In fact, the CIO is the only person who has crucial business knowledge and IT insights.
It is a CIO who converts technology solutions and strategies into business opportunities in the financial industry. Service as a revenue model is the success mantra for all CIO’s. We have been called “CAAS” (CIO as a Service).

Workplace modernization for 2023
We have been continuously upgrading our technology as per customer needs. Our goal is customer satisfaction by using the latest technology.
Our Key Priorities are:
-       Upgrade and migrate to enhanced open source technologies.
-       Extensive use of AI and ML in regulatory functions.
-       AI and ML in business and operations to be integrated
-       Data Encryption, robust security especially for transaction based applications.

Modernization of People, Process and Technology leads an enterprise to a productive, agile, efficient work culture

Balwant Singh
CISO, Dharampal Satyapal

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
Post pandemic era has forced organizations to adopt robust continued business operations, ensure satisfied and delighted customers, meeting employee expectations and achieving productivity in hybrid work culture. To overcome these key factors enterprises need to transform their digital journey, empower and engage employees and build an agile work environment by adopting and accelerating workplace modernization along with culture transformation, digital transformation at organization level.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
People, Process and Technology are the foundation for any enterprise to run its operations successfully. Organizations need to balance all these aspects, digital transformation requires skilled workforce and they require latest processes aligned with business operations and transformations, all three aspects are interconnected which cannot either be overlooked or regarded,  hence modernizing all three aspects will lead an enterprise to a productive, agile, efficient work culture.

Workplace modernization for 2023
Workplace modernization is not a static job, it’s a dynamic practice which requires regular assessments of PPTs. Hence regular training and skill enhancement programs, employee engagements, hybrid work cultures without compromising employers and employees expectations, adopting and implementing new technologies with due care and due diligence are some areas we should eye on for the betterment, empowerment and modernization of an enterprise and its workforce.

“The modernization of the workplace has become a key factor in attracting and retaining employees”

Manikant Singh
CISO, DMI Finance 

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
Modernizing the work environment will ensure that employees perform competently and are in a position to use their skills effectively, ensuring that organizations are more competitive in the marketplace. Modernizing workplaces not only increases productivity but also helps businesses lower operational costs and get up to date on compliance standards. Modernization is a way to help employees to manage their day-to-day lives better and allocate more time for work.
Key factors where businesses need to consider modernization of the workplace include: Increased penetration of working technologies, such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets. These devices have become ever more powerful which in turn, businesses are being forced to improve their IT infrastructure to keep up with the advancements. Businesses also need to innovate and develop new products to meet consumer demands and needs. This calls for an increased collaboration between product development teams as well as marketing departments to ensure that more products are designed on the basis of customer demand. Moreover, businesses must regularly test new products against their competition to gauge how well they sell in the marketplace, thus allowing them to make necessary changes in their marketing strategies. The modernization of the workplace has become a key factor in attracting and retaining employees. This is because companies are turning to technology and automation.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Modernizing the workplace should be a part of every organization’s digital transformation process because it will help to increase productivity and work efficiency by having a more innovative working environment. The workplace should be at the forefront of technology and innovation, allowing employees to collaborate more efficiently. IT leaders who have a hunky-dory Digital Transformation journey will not get anywhere if they ignore human capital investment.

Workplace modernization must be a part of digital transformation process

Parveen Kumar Sharma
CTO & Consultant - IT, Vianaar  

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
Following are the key factors businesses need to consider to modernize their workplace environment:
To be able to work anywhere in the world /any time/on any device
To have technological breakthroughs
Helps to increase the productivity of employees
To improves customer experience
For security enhancement
To helps in increasing revenue streams
With less workforce more automation
To have healthy lifestyle

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Modernising the workplace should be a part of every organisation’s digital transformation process. Digital transformation puts technology at the core of business strategy. This approach can reduce operating expenses and inefficiency. It could even change the course of the business. With a unified model across business and technology, it is easier to achieve future ambitions. Digital transformation changes the way an organization operates. Systems, processes, workflow, and culture are all part of this process. This transformation affects each level of an organization and brings together data across areas to work together more effectively.

“Workplace modernization is a necessity and not a luxury”

Dheeraj Chawla
CIO, Shib Dass and Sons 

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
I believe that the businesses are still facing the heat of the pandemic and it is going to stay. The biggest challenge was investment in technology. I believe technology is a great enabler and it plays a vital role in bonding man and machine in an organisation. Cyber threat and fraud are the main areas of concern at the moment. Making the organization strong with a proactive approach is needed in place of mending and sorting the damages occurred. Adopt the best that is suited, always trust the machines but do not forget it is run by men, invest on upgrading and scaling up of people and process for optimal resource utilization.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Workplace modernization is a necessity and not a luxury now for the changing trends in the market. To face the market challenges you have to make it more updated by investing and pumping money in technology else either you will be left out in the competition or will be forced to quit the market.

Workplace modernization for 2023
We are a focused company and are keeping a trend and culture of early adoption of technology into our company. We have created a reserve pool of funds for any technology adoption. Time to time we keep training our employees for any sudden change.

“All business processes should be aligned to have sustainable digitization”

Tejas Shah
Head IT Application, Prince Pipes and Fittings   

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
There are a lot of digitization factors that play a very vital role for workplace modernization.
One of the key initiatives to start with should be employee productivity, by identifying the majority of the manual or repetitive work to automate either by means of any common software platform or by RPA/BOTS.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
All business processes should be aligned to have sustainable digitization. Once we review all the business pain points and understand the existing process, then it is very easy to Identify - Implement - Review.

Workplace modernization for 2023
One of the most focused areas for workplace modernisation is identifying all critical business processes and trying to integrate in one central system to have a 360 degrees view to all stakeholders and to management.
Other key areas include IIOT with advanced features to have full insights overall.

“Workplace modernization is the first and most vital stage to consider before digital transformation”

Kushal Varshney
CTO, Virescent Infrastructure    

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
Below are the key factors which business needs to consider during modernization of workplace:
Workplace modernization is a business movement about engineering the right culture, business process change, and employee experiences
The modernization of workplace should be stakeholder (employees, management, visitors including customer & vendor) centric
Prepare a holistic, comprehensive, connected-integrated inclusive strategy considering input to output, entry to exit, hire to retire; end to end journey / process
Business should plan for a hassle free, seamless, connected, automated and secured experience at Workplace without compromising on meaningful controls
Keep everything simple, convenient, comfortable, transparent, collaborative, unbiased and less bureaucratic
Ensure no parallel system is created in excel or email etc., single source of truth and avoid duplicate entry points
Ensure that all technology is integrated and blended to work in harmony
Plan for emergencies and work with Zero trust principle even at Workplace
In new normal, plan for Hybrid and extended workplace as well

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Workplace modernization is the first and most vital stage to consider before digital transformation and must be applied throughout your change journey. With a modern workplace, you will succeed, improving the customer and employee experience, communications, processes, and productivity i.e., making you future ready.

Workplace modernization for 2023
Being born in the pandemic, since the beginning we have embraced digital employee experience and now in a new normal hybrid scenario, we are continuously improving our Employee experience through workplace modernization. We work with a continuous improvement approach and change is a never-ending journey.

Organizations realize the importance of productivity tools and are investing on them

Shweta Srivastava  
Head IT Applications, JK Cement 

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
Workplace modernization is indeed one of the strategies for most businesses. With changes that have emerged post-pandemic, there is a huge shift in the employee as well as employer mindset. Work from anywhere has become a norm and enterprises are also to see value around it. Some of the key factors that are imperative to consider while planning to modernize the workplace are –

Flexibility to work from anywhere and anytime of the day
To be able to work from any device without much hassle of setting it up
Effective collaboration between the teams
Introduction of productivity tools which can contribute towards achievement of organizational goals and objectives
Technology tools supporting Agility which can cater to the VUCA world
Rapid development & delivery for quicker Go-to-market solutions
Continuous training and upskilling of resources
Security of IT assets.

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation

In the dynamic economy, businesses must respond to the demands of their consumers in a much faster, efficient and productive way. Since the expectations from employees in an organization has changed, so has the need for them to be able to align themselves with the newer ways of working and to be able to deliver the desired outcomes. Organizations have realized the importance of these productivity tools and are investing heavily on them. Performance of the organization completely depends on the performance of their employees. Modern tools and technologies empower the workforce for fulfilling the organization’s objectives.

Modernization of workplace ensures workforce is aligned with organization’s goals and objectives

Gaurav Vij  
CIO, HooLiv.com 

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
For any organization to sustain in today’s fast digital world, it needs innovation, digital transformation, and hence needs the modernization of the workplace to ensure that the workforce is aligned with organization’s goals and objectives, while delivering to meeting the organization’s set and defined goals.
What does this mean to any organization? Why is this change desired to be there? Why do we need such technological upgrades?

To enable to employees working from anywhere
To ensure the expected productivity goals are met
To ensure seamless collaboration between the discrete teams, at different geographical places
To secure the organization’s assets

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Modernizing the workplace must be a part of every organization’s digital transformation journey.
Most organizations have either started the digital transformation journey, or are in the middle of it. Some of these small SME organizations today are failing to keep track of the digital transformation, or keep a pace with it. Fundamentally, they lack the adoption, skills and the technologies to modernize, and that makes it essential for the business to modernize their workplace environment.
Today, all CIOs are CFOs, all CEOs are Tech CEOs and all Companies are Tech Companies. This is the future of the Industry 4.0 shaping into Industry 5.0, and can only happen when organizations adapt the technologies in their workforce, while investing in new solutions, bringing the organizational change in appropriate manner and at the right time, as well as keep advancing their workforce to the latest technological trends.

Workplace modernization enhances employee metrics and job satisfaction

Venkat Ramani  
CTO, Alliance Broadcasting (NEWS7 TAMIL)

Key factors to consider in workplace modernization
The key factors are:
Improve efficiency
Build more security
Improve flexibility & speed
Technical & modern challenges
Help to increase revenue
Should able to work from anywhere, any device, anytime with the customer flexibility

Workplace modernization: A part of digital transformation
Modernizing the workplace helps in several employee metrics including skills and talents, engagement and productivity, and job satisfaction.