Smart Offices and Virtual Reality: the Future of the Workplace

Some 80 percent of millennials, defined as ages 18-34, choose their jobs based on high-tech workplace equipment and perks, while 60 percent think face-to-face conversation will soon be outdated, announced Dell and Intel following research on the modern workplace.

Besides, classic benefits like free coffee and food will most likely be replaced with high-tech perks, as 60 percent of millennials admitted caring more about the high tech equipment than the ping pong table.

The findings show that many employees are not pleased with the level of technology in their companies and feel significant improvements could be made. Some, especially millennials, would go as far as quitting their jobs if these demands are not met, so businesses that won”t adjust could lose ground in the future. As a result, IoT, Virtual Reality, collaboration tools and cutting-edge tech are the future.

“Advanced technology and collaboration has significantly grown in importance, especially as millennials are entering the workforce,” said Julie Coppernoll McGee, vice president, global marketing and communications, Intel. “As the research outlines, we”re seeing this generation play a vital role in the direction of employer decisions, and is leading the way to influence the adoption of emerging tech, strong communication tools and flexible work environments. A technologically modern workplace is necessary to create a productive, happy and capable workplace for everyone.”

The study interviewed 3,801 full-time employees from the US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Brazil, China, India, Canada and South Africa, working 35 hours a day for companies of different sizes in industries such as education, government, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, media & entertainment and retail.

“The workplace is reaching a tipping point. Today”s workers have a growing expectation that their employers integrate the latest technologies seamlessly and securely into their working lives,” said Allison Dew, vice president, global client solutions marketing, Dell. “Employees have seen first-hand the ways new technologies can help them do their jobs better, and are hungry to use the latest advancements to be more productive. While this may seem daunting, it”s a business-critical opportunity for companies to be at the forefront of the future workplace and enable the future workforce.”

Possibilities are endless, but once businesses incorporate high-tech perks for their employees and turn their workplaces into smart offices, they will also have to consider flaws and security liabilities. Be it a light bulb or a fridge, a large number of networked connected devices could offer an easy entry point into a company”s infrastructure, causing a major data breach. That and negligent employees who are now using work devices for both business and pleasure, reusing passwords, or outdated software.