SOTI has published new global research which finds many sectors are broadening their technology and device use to manage the more widespread workforce.

The report, When Work is Anywhere: Managing Technology’s Role in the Distributed Workforce, shows that the distributed workforce has a presence beyond the rise in hybrid, flexible and remote working, a situation that significantly affects business operations throughout many industries in Australia and around the world.

SOTI’s report focuses on organisations in the healthcare, transportation and logistics (T&L), and retail sectors.

The findings indicate many are increasing their investment in new technology and devices to adjust to new workforce and infrastructure environments.

One of the key focuses as organisations expand is that, in order to maintain the efficiency and productivity needed to stay competitive, better management of the digital workforce is needed as it continues to grow.

An increase in devices

Internet of Things (IoT), eCommerce, real-time supply chain visibility and critical communications are making leaps and bounds globally, causing a major shift to more distributed operations.

This has resulted in 44% of Australians reporting significant growth in how many devices have been deployed over the past year, according to SOTI’s research.

This is considerably higher than the global average of 37%.

Further, 57% of Australian companies (compared to 38% globally) have seen an increase in the range of device types benign used.

These now include smartphones, barcode scanners, rugged handsets, mobile computers and more.

“Our data shows that almost 80% of companies are now managing at least one technology - including new groups of devices and applications - that they were not a year ago, representing a significant shift in how these businesses are now running,” says Shash Anand, SVP of Product Strategy at SOTI.

“Ensuring the productivity of a distributed workforce is one part of the equation.

“Today, businesses have access to technology to better manage the supply chain and track and control device usage in the field. This is forcing companies to invest in new ways to oversee and analyse the subsequent growth in technology and data use.”

With devices and data growing, so too are security threats

The increase in device use means the quantity of data now being collected, processed and stored is higher than it ever has been.

This has brought about a need for data management security and compliance, with SOTI’s report finding 40% of Australian respondents feel they need better access to devices to control and protect their IT network, and 38% have grown their spend on mobile technology security.

“Distributed operations, with a wider, more fragmented global tech footprint, create a more complex dynamic of devices and data, which all need securing and managing,” Anand adds.

“While security is critical, due to the increasing reliance on sharing devices alongside the connectivity of device data, there also needs to be seamless visibility and access to monitor the health and use of these devices, with issues being fixed quickly and remotely once they arise.

“Without it, organisations will simply not yield the productivity and efficiency gains from their investments and leave themselves open to risks.”

Outdated processes are holding organisations back from greater productivity

The distributed workforce has meant technology now needs to be adopted on two fronts: the physical device itself and the effective management of all devices in an increasingly dispersed operational environment.

However, SOTI’s research notes that even though digital workflows have become more common, manually enacted workflows continue to play an important part.

The company says this suggests businesses still need to do more to get to a point where they can truly manage a new operational infrastructure.

While digital workflows are becoming more commonplace, manually enacted workflows continue to play a significant role, suggesting that organisations still have a way to go to truly manage a new operational infrastructure.

44% of Australian respondents say their business workflows were done on paper over the past year, while 49% were carried out through email.

This unstructured method is particularly worrying in the healthcare industry because manual information and data is likely to be patient-related and, therefore, unsecured.

Digital transformation is crucial for managing workflows better

SOTI’s report also finds that 61% of global organisations in the healthcare sector still manage workflows manually.

In addition, it also finds that Australia is second to the US as the country most likely to use manual processes, at 67% and 70%, respectively.

It is a concern that many companies throughout a range of industries and regions are still using outdated, paper-based approaches as it means sensitive data such as patient information and consumer payment information is unsecured, leaving personal data in the wrong hands.

“Manual work processes are outdated, inefficient and open to human error. Therefore, it is alarming that Australia ranks so highly in the utilisation of manual workflows today,” says Michael Dyson, APAC Vice President of Sales, SOTI.

“Australian organisations need to move beyond manual legacy processes to an environment powered by modern mobile devices that are managed securely and follow all relevant compliance protocols.

“Properly managed mobile devices can speed up workflows and reduce the risk of security breaches and incidents, along with improving employee productivity and retention.

“In the digital era, the proper management of devices and data in a dispersed and often remote operational environment is central to ensuring ongoing business health and success.”