Manisha Boddu
Technology has transformed the way we work. With information at our fingertips like never before, employees who work in office settings can access crucial data swiftly. Whether they are utilizing laptops or desktops, accessing information is easier and more efficient. But what about those in the workforce who operate away from traditional office space?
The Invisible Workforce:
Deskless workers are employees whose roles do not primarily involve working at a fixed workstation or desk. They are present across various industries such as manufacturing, retail, hospitality, healthcare, and others. These employees are constantly on the move or working in dynamic environments.
Despite over 80% of the global workforce being deskless, these frontline workers are often neglected in terms of technological support. Like any other employee working in an organization, they too require access to essential tools, resources, and support. This ensures they can effectively perform their duties, contribute to the organization's success, and remain engaged with the organization.
You might think, "Don't most deskless workers have mobile phones? Can't they access information that way?" The answer is yes, many deskless workers do have mobile phones. However, while mobile devices offer a certain level of connectivity, they come with significant limitations for deskless work environments.
Here are some reasons why mobile phones may not be the most effective solution for the frontline workers:
- Usage Restrictions: Employment laws and union regulations may prohibit deskless workers from using work resources outside scheduled hours. Mobile devices blur the lines between work and non-work hours, leading to violations if they access work-related information during off-duty.
- Security Concerns: Implementing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies introduces various challenges associated with personal devices. They are inherently susceptible to breaches, posing significant security risks for both the organization and the employee.
- Corporate Device Dilemma: Providing dedicated corporate devices to deskless employees can be costly and impractical. The upfront expenses of buying and maintaining devices may outweigh the benefits, especially in industries with high turnover rates.
- Employee Resistance: Employees may be hesitant to install corporate technology on personal devices due to privacy concerns. They prefer to keep personal and work-related information separate.
- Stepping beyond BYOD and company devices, kiosks emerge as a better option for effectively catering to the needs of the deskless workforce.
The Role of Kiosks in Empowering Deskless Workers
Kiosks are self-service terminals located within an organization's premises, offering access to relevant information and services for employees or customers. They streamline tasks, enhance user experience, and serve as centralized hubs for various operations.Here are 5 reasons Why Kiosks are better to serve the Deskless Workforce:
- Enhanced Accessibility: Kiosks offer convenient access to crucial information and resources on-site, eliminating the need for personal mobile devices. They ensure consistent and reliable access for deskless workers.
- Controlled Access and Compliance with Labor Laws: Self-service kiosks in organizations restrict access outside scheduled work hours, ensuring compliance with labor laws. This way, organizations maintain control over employee access, promoting fair labor practices and preventing scheduling and compensation-related legal issues.
- Security Assurance: Unlike personal mobile devices, kiosks can be tightly controlled and secured by the organization. This mitigates the risk of data breaches, ensuring compliance with security protocols. By limiting access to authorized individuals through easy authentication methods, data integrity and confidentiality are maintained.
- Cost-Effective Solution: While providing dedicated corporate devices to deskless workers can be expensive, kiosks offer a more cost-effective alternative. They eliminate the need for individual devices for each employee, reducing upfront procurement costs and ongoing maintenance expenses.
- Centralized Management: Kiosks allow for centralized management of software updates, security patches, and access controls. This ensures that all devices are consistently up to date with the latest security protocols, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.
The Conclusion
Kiosks, combined with the power of the ServiceNow platform, are an effective solution to address the deskless workers challenges. With kiosks, you provide a dedicated, secure platform for your deskless workforce to access necessary tools and information effectively.
This fosters a sense of support among deskless employees, emphasizing your commitment to their productivity and access to necessary resources.
As a ServiceNow Elite Partner with over a decade of expertise in ServiceNow implementations, INRY strives to excel. INRY aims to deliver innovative solutions tailored to your organization's needs. Serving your deskless workforce with a customized kiosk solution for your company is another way we help drive value.
Reach out to our team to discover how INRY can transform your deskless workforce and revolutionize the way you operate. Let's empower your frontline heroes together!