Workplace Automation

The impact of disruptive technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics, has tremendous on the modern workplace, transforming certain job roles and business operations. The emergence of the internet of things (IoT) now is making its way into the workplace. The technology has allowed employees to be better equipped with faster and more efficient solutions and to be more productive.

IoT in the workplace can encompass a wide range of hardware and technologies including smart devices, robots, and AI, among others, in order to improve efficiency and create new business opportunities. Leveraging IoT can enable more intelligent communication and make workforces better off and more effective. It also makes it easier to scale productivity by using real-time data, and makes staff more efficient with the help of AI embedded in these devices to automate basic queries and tasks.

Moreover, as IoT in the workplace can be bifurcated into infrastructure, repurposed smart home devices, and business-specific IoT devices, there has been much talk about smart buildings. With multiple factors like climate change, increasing demand of energy and a changing millennial workforce, modern buildings powered by IoT are in greater demand than ever before. These modern smart building technologies offer owners and managers numerous benefits such as remote control and energy efficiency. They also offer inhabitants a much better experience than conventional buildings. As the possibilities for smart building technology are immense and driving the future of buildings, especially commercial properties, they will become smarter and more connected in the IoT ecosystem.

Unlike conventional building management systems that were incongruent and disconnected with each control such as HVAC, security, lighting and more, and IoT-powered building management system is much advanced, gleaning and analyzing data to manage and control a building environment remotely. This helps in minimizing energy consumption and ensuring facility managers handle operations better.

Building management systems are used to control heating, air conditioning, or doors. Besides, office security and alarm systems are now frequently connected to the internet that allows them to be controlled through apps.
In a Memoori research, the global market of IoT in buildings is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19.4 percent from US$34.8 billion in 2017 to US$84.2 billion in 2022. Also, according to a Deloitte survey, APAC regions will invest the most in smart building projects soon thanks to an increase in urbanization and developments in the green and sustainable space.

By making use of the internet of things, physical workplaces have an opportunity to significantly lower and evaluate wasted resources to gain more timely insight into team workflows. While the adoption of connected and smart devices has expedited the volume of data, faster processors and wireless networks, combined with AI advances, high-quality voice control of devices will become even more ubiquitous. These devices are critical as they can fortify more collaboration and innovation in the future workplace.

The early interest in IoT devices has been in the home with the arrival of Amazon's Alexa, Google's Home smart speakers, and other gadgets such as smart plugs, light bulbs, locks, motion sensors, and smart kitchen and home appliances. The same devices can now also be found repurposed on office floors, leading to workplace automation.