Three quarters of businesses missing out due to low tech integration

Three-quarters of small to medium-sized enterprises are missing out because they haven't deployed basic mobile working tools to their staff.

That's according to a report commissioned by Crown Workspace and carried out by an independent research firm. Crown Workspace argues that by failing to integrate technologies such as cloud-based apps and services and BYOD policies, SMEs are significantly limiting their success.

The company noted that deploying basic tools to staff, such as the cloud and allowing employees to work from home, use their own devices for work and offering flexible working conditions can have a significant positive impact on innovation and productivity.

“Modern technology has created a new set of rules for the workplace,” Simon Gammell, director at Crown Workspace said.

“Tech such as WiFi, remote storage and mobile are what employees expect, and that’s what SME owners should consider first when designing a workspace to ensure that their people can work and communicate effectively. Design factors such as layout, equipment and furniture are also massively important too but should not come at the detriment of technology.”

Some of the areas highlighted as lacking by the company include voice technologies that are only being adopted by one in five organisations. Only 25% of the businesses questioned feel prepared for mobile working and although technologies such as Li-Fi and heating are becoming buzz technologies for SMEs, few are taking up the opportunity to modernise the workplace.

This is having a knock-on impact on employee productivity, but small businesses are struggling to justify spending on new tech in their offices.

“Landlords are conscious that occupiers need faster broadband speeds and greater access to strong wireless connections, amongst other technological advances,” Hugh Prissick, project manager and owner of Storey added. “Future proofing buildings is difficult but landlords and developers are placing technology at the heart of the design of new buildings.”