Widespread connectivity, the increasing adoption of cloud computing, and rapid proliferation of smartphones are triggering far-reaching socio economic changes globally and the ongoing evolution of workplace communication. New technological innovations underpinning the Fourth Industrial Revolution, e.g., Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), are having a transformative impact on the nature of work communication. Apart from the technological advancements, three megatrends notably globalization, demographic shifts, and increasing cyber risks also continue to redefine the world of work today.
Looking ahead, freelancing and remote working are expected to establish themselves as the norm in major Western countries, while businesses dramatically overhaul the scale and appearance of their office footprint with a new focus on technology.
In catering to the modern workplace dynamics, future workplace design needs to place the Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC) concept at the forefront and ensure robust security policies and systems to enable efficient document sharing without obstructing worker productivity. As such, the impact of technological disruption on the workplace communication landscape differs across emerging markets and developed economies depending on demographic trends, the prevalence of the sharing economy, and other conditions.
This white paper focuses on how the future of office communication is set to become a gateway to digitally empowering smart societies as seen through the lens of technological and socio-demographic megatrends in the years ahead.
So what will the workplace of the future look like? Rather than being a physical place where a person works all the time, Frost & Sullivan envisions the futuristic office to be more of a meeting area where people go to generate fresh ideas, create new action plans, or make important decisions – leading to a boundary-less workplace.
1. Spatial AR will project interactive information into a user’s background without the use of a display, supporting collaborative activities.
2. Digital personal assistants will offer predictive assistance, anticipating tasks rather than fulfilling one-off commands.
3. Service robots will substitute human employees to perform risky or unsafe tasks.
4. Holographic telepresence will allow remote workers and clients to attend meetings with a virtual presence.
5. Visual Computer Navigation will use eye movement tracking technology for screen navigation.
6. Wearable AR will provide information, such as instructions or notes, through head-mounted displays.
7. VR and greater connectivity speeds will enable remote attendance of conferences and training sessions.
8. Robotic telepresence will allow critical remote employees to maintain a daily presence in the office.
9. The IoT will track workers’ movements, enabling better office space design, increased collaboration, and greater building efficiencies.
10. Mobile AR will use device screens to display information such as directions to or within a work center.
11. Big Data gathered through multiple devices, will allow companies to make new connections that improve collaboration, productivity, and revenue.
12. AI will automate and simplify back-office tasks, such as preparing sales report or developing and updating a website.
