Why Better Tech Tools are Vital for Deskless Workers

Introduction

Technology now enables people to connect anytime, anywhere, to anyone in the world, from any device. This is dramatically changing the way people work, facilitating 24/7, collaboration with colleagues, who are dispersed across time zone, countries, and continents.

Technology has come to define our modern society. It is so ubiquitous that people often take for granted how much it has integrated into and influenced our everyday life. This is also true in our profession, where technology has advanced and made it easier for companies to interact, collaborate, and do business.

However, it seems that deskless workers haven’t benefited from these modern technologies. Indeed, only 1% of the world’s technology and software funding is spent on developing tools built around the modern deskless employee. This is even though deskless workers make up 80% of the total global workforce.

In this article, we will take a look into the frustration that deskless workers have when it comes to technology, as well as understand the importance of why they need better tech.

Dissatisfaction With the Current Tech

Employee dissatisfaction is especially high in industries that employ people who are not bound to traditional office spaces, such as construction, healthcare, education, retail, and transportation. This can be attributed to the neglect that deskless workers feel at work, especially regarding technology (or lack thereof).

According to an Emergence study, 60% of deskless workers are either unsatisfied with or believe there is room for improvement in the technology they’re provided to do their work.

The majority of employers are providing their deskless employees with tools that are not adapted for the kind of work they do. From hardware like computers to software like emails, these tools are not created for deskless workers who are always on the go. Employers have yet to provide them with adequate technology for their global mobility.

Here are some reasons why deskless workers are dissatisfied with the technology they use:

1. Lack of User-Friendly Design: One common reason deskless workers are dissatisfied with the technology they use is the lack of user-friendly design. Many of the technology solutions available to deskless workers are designed for office workers and may not be intuitive or user-friendly for those in non-office settings.

2. Limited Functionality: Another reason why deskless workers may be dissatisfied with the technology they use is that the technology may not have the necessary functionality to support their work. Deskless workers may require technology that can perform specific tasks or functions that are unique to their roles, and if the technology they use cannot provide this, they may feel unsupported.

3. Inadequate Training and Support: Many deskless workers may not receive adequate training or support when using new technology. This can make it difficult for them to adopt the technology and may lead to frustration and dissatisfaction with the technology.

4. Lack of Integration: Deskless workers may use multiple technology solutions to perform their work, and if these solutions do not integrate seamlessly, it can create frustration and inefficiency. For example, a worker may need to use one app to schedule appointments and another app to track inventory, but if these apps cannot communicate with each other, it can create confusion and frustration.

5. Poor Connectivity: Finally, poor connectivity can also contribute to deskless workers’ dissatisfaction with technology. Many deskless workers perform their work in areas with poor internet connectivity or limited access to Wi-Fi. If the technology they use relies heavily on internet connectivity, this can create frustration and may prevent workers from using the technology effectively.

Read to learn more about the digitalization of the deskless workforce.

Why Technology is Important for Deskless Workers

The way we work is changing, particularly in how we connect. Deskless workers need these tools to get the most out of their work. Here are some reasons why better technology can have a significant impact on deskless workers.

Increases Workforce Collaboration

Collaboration is crucial for deskless workers who are mostly dispersed from their colleagues or assigned to different locations and branches. That is why companies must establish a way to connect their workers seamlessly to ensure that the correct information is transmitted, the right instructions are followed, and operations run smoothly.

To encourage a collaborative workforce, provide a space for your employees to connect and share their ideas or best practices. Using social networks and other technology, such as mobile applications or software, helps bridge the collaborative gap between mobile employees. A solution, like Albert, will help stimulate real-time communications and enable employees to upload and download their resources, training, and much more.

Improves Communications

Communication does not always contribute to collaboration, but collaboration cannot occur in the absence of communication. Employees feel more informed, secure, and motivated to achieve their goals when their company has a good communications strategy.

There is always a need to communicate so that everyone in the organization is on the same page and can work together harmoniously. However, most companies still rely on traditional messaging systems such as SMS or WhatsApp for their internal communications, which can result in poor personalization and intrude into workers’ personal spheres.

You can use a dedicated communications technology to enable deskless workers to perform actions such as sharing documents, posting news, updating workload, tracking, and even celebrating successes instantly.

Learn why internal communication is important for your business.

Enhances Employee Productivity

Companies are always looking for new ways to boost the productivity of their deskless workers. When solutions that are tailored to the needs of employees are implemented, they feel more acknowledged, which drives them to do tasks more efficiently since it makes their work simpler.

If you’re an employer, your employees will be more productive if you provide technology that allows for two-way communication and features that can be quickly and easily adapted (such as training courses and games/quizzes).

How do employees react to new technology?

New technology can help improve efficiency, but it will also cause stress for employees. When introducing a new tool, it’s common to rush through the process without vetting its impact on the team or business performance first. To make sure that the technology meets your needs, it’s important to have a comprehensive strategy before implementing any solutions.

Here are some things to keep in mind when implementing new technology:

1. Identify the Needs of Deskless Workers: Before implementing any new technology, it is important to identify the specific needs of deskless workers. This includes understanding the tasks they perform, the challenges they face, and the tools they need to be successful.

2. Select User-Friendly Solutions: When selecting new technology, choose solutions that are user-friendly and intuitive. Deskless workers are often not as tech-savvy as office workers, so the technology should be easy to use and understand.

3. Provide Adequate Training and Support: Deskless workers may require more training and support when using new technology. Provide adequate training to ensure that they understand how to use the technology effectively, and offer ongoing support to answer any questions or concerns that may arise.

4. Ensure Accessibility: Make sure that the technology is accessible to all workers, regardless of their location or connectivity. For example, consider whether workers can access the technology on their mobile devices, whether it works in areas with poor internet connectivity, and whether it can be used offline.

5. Involve Deskless Workers in the Process: Involve deskless workers in the process of selecting and implementing new technology. This can help to ensure that the technology meets their needs and is well-received. It can also increase buy-in and adoption of the technology.

6. Monitor Performance and Adjust as Needed: Finally, monitor the performance of the technology and adjust as needed. Solicit feedback from deskless workers on how the technology is working for them, and make changes as necessary to ensure that it is meeting their needs and improving their productivity.

Conclusion

Companies should invest not only in the right technologies but also in their deskless workers to better understand what they need to become more productive and efficient for their organization, allowing them to provide better service to their customers. Albert allows companies to connect and engage their mobile workers by streamlining communications and providing efficient training to drive employee performance and empower them with the technology they need.