Technology is constantly evolving, and businesses are quick to incorporate new technologies into the office to improve operational efficiencies, help drive growth, and stay ahead of their competitors.

Smarter and more connected devices are helping to improve comfort and increase productivity, streamline processes to enable efficiency, and allow new ways of working that can help to transform industries.

We take a look at some of the recent technologies that are set to change our working environment as we know it.

Smart chairs

Most office workers spend all day working at their desks, which can often lead to back, neck, and shoulder pain. While some have tried to address this issue with standing desks, this may not be the best solution to the problem. In fact, a recent Australian study found that more than half of people get tired after standing up for as little as less than an hour, meaning you could end up with a new set of problems, including a loss of productivity.

Still, with the average person spending 12 hours a day sitting down and the negative impact this can have on your shoulders and spine, designers are adamant to provide an ergonomic solution that will help to improve your posture and help alleviate the pressure on your spine.

That’s where the smart chair comes in. Axia’s ergonomic chair solution is integrated with smart technology in the form of sensors that record the sitting behaviour of users throughout the day. The data collected can be used to offer visual feedback to the user, encouraging them to correct their posture when required.

Vibrations serve as a gentle reminder to stand up and take a break from sitting at regular intervals, so you don’t forget to move around and stretch your legs. Incorporating smart technology into ergonomically designed furniture is a great way to promote healthier active working and help reduce some of the health risks associated with working in an office environment.

Smarter communication

While phone and email have already gone a long way in transforming the way we connect with each other in the workplace, technology is set to move beyond these forms of communication with platforms that allow for real-time collaboration.

The aim with these alternative platforms is to encourage socialness in the workplace and make the process of communicating with colleagues more fluid. Platforms such as Slack have had a big impact on many businesses, allowing you to efficiently organise conversations, ensuring the right people are keeping up to date with your messages, and letting you instantly share documents and images in a single, easy to access place.

Slack is just one of the tools being used by businesses today to help improve communication. We’re seeing more and more tools being brought out that add on productivity functions such as real-time collaboration, file sharing, and artificial intelligence in an all-in-one package.

Microlearning

Conventional training methods are no longer cutting it in this fast-paced world, which is why more and more businesses are taking an interest in microlearning. One survey found that of the 596 talent development professionals surveyed, 41% plan on using microlearning within the next year and 38% are already using it.

So, what exactly is it? Microlearning is a different approach to learning that works at a much faster paced, as the learning material is delivered in bite-sized modules. The learning material is short and to-the-point, making it easier to source or produce and update if any changes occur within the industry.

Learning in short, focused bursts has its advantages. For one, employees that are used to consuming everything is short bursts as it is, are more likely to engage in this type of learning. They are also more likely to retain the information compared to typical learning experiences that deliver too much information over a much longer period.

Another great advantage is that it’s perfect for mobile learning, so even remote workers will be able to easily access the course materials and quickly get up to speed. Since it focuses on one concept or task at a time, workers can quickly fill in skill gaps, making it more cost-effective for the organization. Essentially, it’s a win for the business and a win for the employee who can quickly update their skills on the move.