Digital Workspaces

Working digitally is not a new concept. It has been around for a while but a lot of companies never felt the need to implement it into their work structure until the COVID-19 menace. The emergence of this global compelling event caused a shutdown of normal operations and physical contact. In a bid to survive, several organizations adapted to working digitally through the use of digital workspaces. Institutions of learning are also not left out and recently, the Canadian government hinted at making online/virtual learning a permanent practice in the country.

In this article, we will be looking into what digital workspace is and its effects.

What is Digital Workspace?

A workspace is an environment where you can work. It could be a cubicle, cabin, or an open office. A digital workspace is a technological application that allows businesses and employers to work virtually and perform most, if not all, the actions they will perform in physical workspaces. It is simply a space that includes all the individual digital tools necessary for an individual to work. A digital workspace could range from hardware like a laptop or a mobile to software like video conferencing tools.

The main purpose of a digital workspace is to be able to seamlessly work online without disruption while also collaborating with co-workers just like they would in real life. It provides the opportunity to work anywhere. It can be on an airplane, a hotel, or even your bedroom.

Apart from workers in an organization, a digital workspace can also be used by digital nomads and freelancers.

Benefits of a Digital Workspace?

For Individuals

1. Effectiveness. People are now able to work wherever and whenever without impedance.

2. People can now perform their job in a way that is convenient and familiar to them

3. Flexibility; Digital workspace provides the opportunity for Individuals to work wherever and whenever they want. This gives them control over their life

4. and helps in preventing personal life and q from conflicting.

For Businesses

1 . Digital Workspace helps in streamlining business processes in an organization. A process like customer service would become better and easier, because of the self-service, technology, and analytics digital workspace provide.

1. Collaboration; Digital Workspace allows easy streamlined interactions between co-workers and supervisors. Resources, links, and files can be easily shared and worked upon independent of the distance.

2. Companies now have access to a broader and global talent pool. They are also able to retain hired ones.

3. Expenses like utilities and liabilities associated with workspaces become minimized. Thereby reducing the cost of operation.

4. Less reliance on physical resources, that might not be readily available.

5. Digital Workspaces allow work operations to continue, especially in situations where physical contacts aren’t allowed.

Challenges of A Digital Workspace

1. Security: Remote Work involves the use of a lot of applications and systems means that it is easy for security to be breached. Data and communications passed through external tools can easily be accessed by third parties.

2. Low Adoption: Due to a lack of digital literacy, there is slow adoption of digital workspaces in some communities. Low adoption is caused by issues like poor electricity and internet. It is also important to note that some of these tools are inadequately developed to provide a smooth experience to users.

3. Laxity: Since they aren't physically present, some employees do not put in their best efforts into what they do, especially when they aren't supervised. This would ultimately lead to low productivity and thereby preventing the company from growing as best as it could.

4. Culture: Working remotely leads to less communication between coworker s, reducing interpersonal relationships. It might also lead to a toxic workspace and a negative culture.

5. Policy and Regulation Issues: Except there are clear policies available, as regards working remotely through the digital workspace. It is normal for problems to arise within such an organization. This also happens when there is no stated rules and regulation when it comes to remote work.

6. Distraction; Remote work means that it is possible to be among friends and families while working. This might have a negative impact as friends and families can serve as a distraction, which can then reduce efforts put into the organization's work.

Solutions to these Challenges

1. Structured Daily Check-ins: Daily calls would help keep employees in checks. They are aware that they are being monitored.

2. Communication Tools: Communication tools apart from emails should be provided to facilitate more interaction. Tools like Slack, Zoom, and Teams can be helpful for that.

3. Rules and Regulation: There should be proper guidelines and regulations as regards how remote work is going to run. This is necessary to set objectives for employees and avoid rift.

4. Social Interaction: It is necessary to create fun moments among the workers to provide a sense of belonging. This could also be done virtually. This moment can range from catch-up calls to online games. A platform like Zoom and house party can be useful for this.

5. Therapeutic Support: Remote work stress and anxieties are a thing. It is important for employers to know that and proffer therapeutic support to their employees. This would help improve productivity.

Examples of Digital Workspaces

Digital Workspace can vary with people's needs, personality, and job descriptions. these tools are free of limitations presented by physical workspaces. They include ;

1. File Sharing and storage Platforms like Dropbox, Docsend
2. Video Conferencing Platforms like Zoom, Google Meet
3. Communication platforms like Slack
4. Organization platforms like Trello

To ensure your team performs optimally, it is also important to get them reliable equipment.
Examples include ;

1. Blue light glasses
2. Screen Monitors
3. Headset or Earbuds

Economic Importance

Companies typically rent expensive offices in highbrow areas and workers have to commute to get there. This causes the highbrow cities to be clustered.

Digital Workspace allows that workers now work digitally, erasing the need for an office in an expensive area. This subsequently reduces the expenses of companies and declutter these areas.
Since workers can work remotely, they spend less on transportation, they face less stress which therefore leads to a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

Digital Workspaces have gone a long way in improving productivity, accessibility, comfort, and efficiency for people. This means that post-pandemic, they are here to stay.