Over the years, technology has taken center stage and revolutionized our world and our daily lives. Plus, when combined with the internet, technology becomes so much more powerful—and that is what is referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT connects everyday objects like kitchen appliances, baby monitors, cars, thermostats, and more to the internet via embedded devices, enabling seamless communication among people. The more capable these systems get, the more efficient our world becomes.

The business world, in particular, is continuously evolving with the use of IoT. IoT captures a tremendous amount of data from multiple sources. Because it is so difficult to collect, process, and analyze the data collected from countless IoT devices, new technologies will need to be employed in order to realize the full potential of those devices. That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) comes in. IoT integrated with AI creates intelligent machines. IoT devices interact using the internet, and AI enables them to learn from their data and experience, predict future activity, and improve performance and decision-making capabilities.

Statista suggests that there will be a threefold increase in the number of IoT devices worldwide—up to 29 billion in 2030 compared to 9.7 billion in 2020. As this rapid advancement in technology continues, workplaces are being transformed into smart offices, helping improve workers’ experience, boost efficiency, and enhance business performance. Here we highlight some of the pros and cons of such a transformation.

But first, let us explain what is meant by a smart office.

What is a smart office?

A smart office optimizes the office environment through the use of modern technology, keeping it cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Efficiency, employee productivity, and employee experience are all nurtured in two ways. First, tools are introduced to support employees in their daily activities. Second, the use of space is optimized with smart systems that provide analytic tools and capabilities for facility managers.

Some smart office pros and cons

We’ll discuss how IoT adds value to businesses by transforming their workspaces into smart offices and the concerns associated with such a move.

Smart office pros

1. More informed workplace decisions

With the help of IoT, companies understand how their facilities are used by workers, which office hours are optimal, as well as identify the most-used equipment and the existing dead zones. And as the organization grows, it will be better able to predict what employees will need and find ways to meet those needs.

2. Improved employee satisfaction

The working environment that a smart office creates supports the things employees are required to do on a daily basis. When workers are using technology, they deal with repetitive tasks much easier. The environment is so comfortable that it facilitates employee satisfaction—an idea that may be enticing to contemporary workers and that attracts highly qualified job applicants. 

3. Decreased carbon footprint

With the use of IoT, businesses are able to adopt eco-friendly practices to combat climate change. Using sensors, they can make the best use of energy within their buildings. Communication tools reduce the need for work-related travel and commuting, which lowers a company’s share of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from transportation.

4. Reduced operation costs

Using sensors augurs well for operational cost reduction. They can record real-time occupancy and make the best use of energy so that problems with heating, lighting, and other forms of wastage can be avoided. Space optimization is another area that benefits from the use of sensors—companies are able to fit more into their office spaces and at the same time reduce rent costs. Also, sensors facilitate predictive maintenance. Businesses can reduce downtime as a result of their ability to determine the best times to schedule fixes. Businesses are able to make more efficient use of resources and minimize unnecessary expenses. These cost savings can add up over the course of a year, especially if your company is in a large building.

5. A more productive workforce

In smart offices, there are a number of connected devices that monitor, control, and manage various operations of a business. These devices enable the automation of repetitive tasks, freeing enough of employees’ time so that they can focus on more complex work.

IoT helps employees perform their tasks more easily. It helps them manage their schedules in such a way that they’re able to use their time more effectively and in effect become more productive.

Additionally, utilizing high-quality computers can further enhance productivity by streamlining workflow processes and providing employees with seamless access to essential tools and resources.

Another way employee productivity is improved is through the increased possibilities for remote working. With significantly improved connectivity, there’s no longer a need for workers to share the same physical space to collaborate. 

Smart office concerns 

Despite the many benefits of IoT-enabled offices, there are also a number of concerns associated with their use. Let’s discuss a few of them.

1. Privacy concerns

While IoT enables companies to easily monitor their employees to access productivity and prevent theft, it also gives organizations access to information on their workers’ activities during off-hours. This is a growing concern because real-time monitoring systems keep a trace of every single activity, from conversations to keystrokes, internet use, accessed resources, and email.

2. Interoperability issues

Because IoT exists within an ecosystem, several components communicate as part of a network. Because of that, some IoT companies are creating products that are compatible with software and hardware from specific vendors, and this not only increases the costs associated with the setup of smart offices but reduces work efficiency as well.

3. Security risks

A major concern with the use of IoT is the lack of adequate security measures. Manufacturers of IoT devices use a standard password on all devices of particular models, which users can find difficult to change. This opens the way for cyberattacks, like the one that occurred in 2016, where hackers were able to infiltrate the internet by taking advantage of vulnerabilities that exist within those IoT devices. Spotify, Twitter, PayPal, and other platforms were taken down as a result. Should there be a cyberattack, businesses can lose a lot of sensitive information. That is why people that have no correlation to your workplace should be prohibited from accessing the company’s data. Also, if some employees receive calls, emails or messages from unknown people they have not worked with before, tell them to find as much information about those people as possible. There are many ways: asking colleagues, searching online, or using Nuwber, TruthFinder, or other people search sites that have much to tell you about a certain person.

Summary

Technology provides businesses with numerous growth opportunities—from quicker employee turnaround times to efficient energy consumption. The value that IoT brings to organizations is undeniable. However, there are some valid concerns surrounding its use. It is for individual organizations to determine whether the benefits outweigh the concerns and whether using IoT is worth it.

Lucas Noah

Administrator

With a solid foundation in technology, backed by a BIT degree, Lucas Noah has carved a niche for himself in the world of content creation and digital storytelling. Currently lending his expertise to Creative Outrank LLC and Oceana Express LLC, Lucas has become a... Read more