Nowhere is technological advancement more evident than in communications. It didn’t take more than a few years for the entire communications arena to change thanks to technological advancements such as mobile technology, Wi-Fi, and the cloud. To stay competitive, businesses need to embrace change and evolve alongside it. Here are the top 10 business communication trends that companies need to keep up with in order to be future-ready.
1. Continued Shift Towards Mobile
Today, most server-based applications are being reconfigured to enable them to run on smartphones and tablets. Smartphones offer benefits such as portability, convenience, and ease of use when incorporated into the business world. Considering the fact that more employees today use tablets compared to PCs or laptops, mobile-based applications are the way to go.
2. Growth of Cloud Communication Services
Cloud technology has enabled businesses to integrate their workforce, compete more effectively, and improve customer satisfaction. Businesses looking for cost-effective solutions are rapidly adopting hosted VoIP.
3. Unified Communications
The integration of real-time and near-real-time communication systems is a trend that can’t be avoided. Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) capabilities include video solutions, integrated audio and web conferencing, and telephony and collaboration that is delivered as a part of a business application.
4. Mobile Phones Replacing Office Phones
For many businesses, smartphones have become a good alternative to traditional desk phones. Smartphones offer benefits such as storage capabilities, accessibility of applications, and on-the-go use. The popularity of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) strategy is expected to grow as employees become more mobile and less dependent on desktop devices.
5. Cloud-Based IT Networks
These IT networks allow users to access applications and files from any location or device. They eliminate the need to invest in networking technology and deliver network capability globally via a secure application. This makes it extremely easy for businesses to enable communication between remote locations and facilitates central control of remote networks.
6. Video Conferencing
This technology has been around since the 80s and has traditionally been used in meeting rooms. Today, however, this traditional use case has been replaced with video-enabled tablets or smartphones. Web-based video conferencing makes it easier for virtual teams to connect and collaborate. Additional collaboration capabilities such as text chat, screen sharing, and document sharing makes it more effective.
7. Seamless Technology Integration
Today, the ability to move data and conversations from one platform to another has assumed great importance. This trend is evident in many BYOD initiatives as well in which employers encourage employees to make their personal devices such as laptops and tablets their work and life companions. The idea is to enhance communication.
8. Chat Services
Chat services have been around for a while now, but lately they are getting a revamp, and they now have additional capabilities such as video and even video conferencing. Chat services are now integrated into existing services to enable employees and remote teams to communicate. Many businesses now invest in social intranet software that integrates chat with other business communication tools.
9. WebRTC
Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) enables real-time communication between browsers and mobile applications without requiring any plug-ins or apps. IT enables text, audio, video chat, and file sharing.
10. Internet of Things
Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to drive a huge amount of new interconnections between various existing and new solutions and systems. It will include ‘things’ such as health monitors, smart sensors, wearable devices, home automation systems, and many other things.
While trend change over time, but these trends are for the future and here to stay. Businesses should strive to keep up with these trends to achieve better efficiency and success.
ADDITIONAL READING
6 Reasons System Admin Spend More Time in the Conference Room Than the IT Office
Conference Room Design: A Guide For the Perplexed
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