One of the most significant consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a 180-degree shift in work setups and arrangements around the world. Companies have adapted to the “new normal” by providing more flexible working options for their employees since the implementation of nationwide and localised lockdowns. The future of the office has also been one of the most pressing discussions, especially in the real estate industry, as its role in disease prevention was raised.
Many businesses have considered the possibility of completely shifting to remote working, viewing the ‘trend’ as less of a seismic shift and more of a continuation of the gradual arc of evolution that has been going on since the invention of the office.
In the Philippines, almost 72% of companies have operated remotely as the country was placed under community quarantines. In a study conducted, it was found that the BPO industry (31%), information and communication (9.79%), and healthcare (8.51%) sectors were the biggest industries that let employees work from home during the Enhanced Community Quarantine implemented last March.
With this, businesses are looking for solutions for a hybrid working experience that will benefit all businesses in the Philippines. The country’s leading provider of software, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions has unveiled its latest innovation, which will enable businesses to address key challenges in a “hybrid” work environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The company said the new advancements include the industry’s “first suite for hybrid work to combine meetings, calling, messaging, polling and events in one offering.”
The software company’s managing director noted that work-from-home arrangements do have challenges, such as connectivity, an ever-increasing demand for broadband, and video-call “fatigue” that many customers and partners have experienced.
While remote work is possible and productive, work from home solutions were never intended to be completely efficient, she said, adding that this environment necessitates a reimagining of customer and employee experiences.
The tech has a slew of solutions including “End-to-End events” which is a complete events execution and management platform, which is necessary in the next era of hybrid events; and Audience Interaction Tools such as polling, quizzes, Q&A and other interactive activities are integrated across all collaboration experiences.
Among the software company’s next-generation devices is a technology that provides a powerful all-in-one collaboration device designed for the office or home desk. The ultimate goal is to provide the most flexible and inclusive user experience for businesses looking to be more inclusive in their hybrid work approach, as well as for people who continue to work from anywhere.
Hybrid cloud solutions, on the other hand, can benefit businesses by providing them with tremendous flexibility while also allowing them to maximise their technology investments. By combining on- and off-premises cloud services, businesses can reduce costs, improve security, and boost performance.
In an article, OpenGov Asia reported that businesses can continue to perform their tasks from any location and conveniently access necessary data as long as an internet connection is available. In addition, cloud tech enables employees to better manage their workflows through improved communication and team collaboration while accessing data from a centralised location. This can prevent organisations from halting operations even in challenging situations such as work suspension and calamity.
In a hybrid workplace, flexible work options will allow some employees to continue working remotely while others will be able to work in the office or shuttle between the two. Furthermore, the post-Covid office will need to be redesigned with safety and hygiene in mind. These are unquestionably radical changes. But just as technology kept the world running amidst physical restrictions, it equips organisations with the tools to transition to a hybrid future.
