Visitor Management Systems, and Other Features of a Modern Office As the face of the modern business continues to change to include advances in technology, the contemporary office looks more and more different than it did just a short decade ago. As the workplace has become more and more connected to the Internet, the need for increasingly obsolete technology like copiers, desk phones, and fax machines has dwindled down to near non-existence. Here's a look at the features of a typical office in 2019, and how vastly it differs from workplaces that existed a mere 10 years ago.
As companies become more dependent upon cloud-based applications for data storage, file sharing, and accounting, having an in-office network of computer terminals connected to a server is not as critical as it once was. In fact, many modern workers are expected to own a laptop, which they can access in the office or when working remotely. The increased use of cloud-based software applications means that even when employees are working from home, they still have access to all the shared systems and files within an organization. Eliminating old desktop computer workstations can not only add up to substantial savings on IT equipment, but also gives employees the freedom to work whenever- and wherever- they choose, rather than spend each workday chained to an office desk.
While a number of older organizations still utilize office phones, with extension lines at every desk, newer startups are seeing the value of communicating with clients, prospects, and each other without the need for a complex, expensive phone system. Employees are encouraged to make business calls through Zoom or a similar cloud-based conference-calling application, or may use their private mobile devices to place calls for work. Additionally, collaboration apps like Slack allow employees to interface in real time without the need for constant phone calling. Even employees working in two completely different states can effectively communicate with one another by chatting online via this type of app. As for incoming calls, a main office number featuring a virtual receptionist can be set up to properly greet clients and prospects without the need for employing a full-time front desk attendant.
Once upon a time, paper ruled the average business office. File cabinets, copiers, and printers are all becoming ancient relics as digital file storage is becoming the standard form of document retention. With the exception of super-confidential documents, such as employee hire papers and financial records, most offices are now able to conduct most or all of their business in a paperless manner. Multi-function machines that allow scanning as well as copying and printing are still an essential part of the modern workplace, but the use of paper continues to diminish as increased information security systems make it more and more possible to ensure confidentiality and integrity of even the most sensitive documents. The modern workplace may look quite different than it did just a decade ago, but the drive to excel within an industry is still strong among new businesses. As young companies continue to challenge the old ways of doing business and suggest better, more efficient ways of getting results, it's likely that the landscape of the modern office will keep changing and incorporating new and exciting technologies each year.