Creating smarter, more productive workplaces with IoT

Our corporate workplaces have changed forever with the advent of modern technologies: starting with telephones, fax machines and printers and continuing through to computers, the internet and smartphones. But, these pieces of hardware aren't the only apparati that have changed the way we work. Let's take a look at some of the ways the internet of things (IoT) and its corresponding devices are shaping the working world.

Creating smart offices

You've likely heard of smart homes: houses and apartments that are centered on connected technology that make life easier by automating tasks such as opening or closing blinds at the touch of a button or changing music with a short voice command from across the room. Similar smart machines are being used to upgrade offices, too.

As Business News Daily explains, technology is allowing us to create intelligent, digital and responsive workspaces that respond to employee needs without much human (read: manual) intervention. Much of this evolution is centered on IoT tech that can improve productivity and an organization's bottom line. Here are a few such appliances and processes that are streamlining workflows and refining business operations:

Better data

A workforce's output is based largely on the quality of the data workers have access to. By their nature, IoT devices gather and transmit information wirelessly and seamlessly, giving employees the in-depth details they need to complete their tasks. For example, one computer that receives manually entered data can make it automatically accessible in a centralized database that all other relevant colleagues can access. No longer do staff members need to waste time sending hundreds of emails requesting documents.

IoT is making data access quicker and easier than ever before.

Easier location tracking

Knowing where your workers and equipment are at any given time is essential for companies and facilities that are fast-paced environments, such as hospitals and fire departments. Wearable devices pinned on staff uniforms and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags attached to assets relay such information immediately, making tracking down the relevant personnel and physical resources easier than ever before.

Enhanced communication

Naturally, computers, cell phones and tablets that are connected to the internet allow employees to communicate with each other instantly. Many IoT devices are taking this process several steps further. For example, smart whiteboards can be used in meetings and conferences to capture information written on them and then transmit it to an easily accessible cloud repository, eliminating the need for manual note-taking. Microphones and cameras that are used for audio-visual communication can do the same, reducing the laborious process of recording meetings and transferring the info to a company database.

Quicker travel

Many companies in industries such as pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and real estate require workers to move between sites and clients' premises. Traditionally, commutes have consumed precious hours that could be used for more mission-critical business activities. Now, IoT devices like smart GPS systems can give travelers crucial information regarding the shortest and/or fastest routes they can take to minimize time spent on the road. This can also help organizations save money on fuel, thereby reducing their expenses.

Partner with Perle for precise business processes

Perle Systems is proud to be at the forefront of revolutionizing the workplace through our vast array of IoT software and hardware solutions that can be applied in almost any industry, from health care to retail and everything in between