The days when the workplace was simply a physical space in which staff members worked between 8am and 5pm are long gone.

The environments we see today involve instant access and are always connected, with people coming and going, blurring the lines between the physical workplace, and all the other locations where the work really happens — from coffee shops and shared spaces to our homes.

This is also seeing the distinction between our personal and business lives break down, as our workplaces become more and more digital and connected. Workers are collaborating and communicating in previously unimagined ways, and to facilitate knowledge sharing across the business, they need to be able to build worthwhile business relationships beyond their traditional workgroups.

According to Alvina Lewis, business unit lead at Pinnacle ICT, in 2022 the world is on the cusp of a new wave of collaborative technologies entering into the workplace to facilitate these shifting working environments.

“Although not in their infancy, these technologies have been greatly accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic and have heightened the ability we have to interact with many people at once.”

And while we have had this ability for some time in our personal lives, as these technologies make their way into the workplace, they bring the promise of dramatic improvements when it comes to sharing thoughts and ideas, communicating with colleagues, and tapping into previously unimagined sources of innovation.

Collaboration

In a nutshell, she says collaborative technologies have the potential to change completely the way we interact with our colleagues and teams, as well as find expert knowledge when we need it, and brainstorm ideas more widely and effectively.

To enable the changing work experience, forward-thinking entities are in the process of implementing completely new working environments and adopting tools that can meet the needs of today’s digital workers, Lewis explains. “By integrating the tools and technologies that workers use, including mobility, social media, HR and collaboration tools, communication barriers are eliminated, and innovation and growth are promoted.”

It’s important to remember that increasing productivity, and doing more with less, is key to any organisation’s financial health, she adds. “Information is still growing at an exponential rate, and the rapid pace of technological change, coupled with the working environments we find ourselves in today, mean we need to work faster and collaborate more efficiently to meet our goals and get our jobs done.”

But it’s not only about collaborating more effectively, but more intelligently, too, Lewis says. “Intelligent collaboration enables us to work together to create new products, services and experiences, as well as share our ideas with groups or individuals previously not connected to. In addition, we can engage all stakeholders more effectively, from staff and customers to third-party partners and suppliers, and co-ordinate activities to enable greater agility and flexibility. On a deeper level, we can pick up on emerging patterns to pinpoint trends and opportunities, as well as anomalies that might indicate risks or threats.”

All of these forms of collaboration are becoming vital to future-proofing our businesses for success in the future, she says, but how can they be achieved?

There are several excellent new devices that were designed with collaboration, productivity and mobility in mind, she says. “For example, the Dell Latitude series of laptops enables users to work wherever and however they need, and are smaller, lighter and more stylish than ever before, featuring the industry’s fastest wireless and LTE options, intelligent collaboration and privacy features, as well as a wide range of ports and accessories to set up office from anywhere and at any time.”

The Dell Latitude series of laptops enables users to work wherever and however they need, and are smaller, lighter and more stylish than ever before

In addition, they offer unequalled collaboration, connectivity and power, greatly increasing the speed of productivity. “Users can enjoy a vastly superior video call experience with full HD and advanced cameras that brighten and sharpen images. The range also boasts the industry’s first webcam SafeShutter3 on the 9000 Series, which automatically opens or closes. Privacy and security are also under the user’s full control, with secure camera and mic mute keys.”

When it comes to collaboration, this experience is seamless, with a built-in speakerphone, powerful microphone and intelligent audio that reduces background noises and echoes. “Wi-Fi 6E enables seven extra channels as well as more bandwidth to offer faster, smoother Wi-Fi, and users have the option of staying connected via 5G, 4G/LTE and eSim options.”

There’s no doubt that Dell’s Latitude series is the world’s most intelligent PC line-up with built-in AI that learns and adapts to the way each user works, says Lewis. “When the world meets technology, you get the Latitude range, with the most sophisticated applications built into these devices to help users work smarter and more effectively. Every business needs a Latitude. These devices were built with the user in mind, understanding the basic and fundamental needs of the day-to-day operations of any job. Can anyone afford not to have a Latitude?”

For more information, contact the Pinnacle Dell team via e-mail on [email protected], or phone (011) 265 3000.

About Pinnacle
Built on the foundation of entrepreneurial spirit, Pinnacle is South Africa’s leading ICT distribution company. We offer a broad range of world-class technology products seamlessly delivered across an expansive footprint. Everything we do is underpinned by our technical expertise, drive and determination – we call it delivering the exceptional. For more information about Pinnacle, visit our website at www.pinnacle.co.za.