First Technology Digital, a future-enabled partner for Digital Transformation, digital workplaces and Lachine Learning, has placed a serious focus on empowering the local frontline worker, aligning to Microsoft’s approach of improving productivity and engagement by connecting employees with the tools needed to do their best work.
According to the global technology company, frontline workers make up a huge segment of the general workforce, across every industry and are the backbone of many organisations.
Because frontline workers have often been left behind when it comes to Digital Transformation, according to Microsoft, they may not have seamless access to the necessary productivity tools and data.
Gabriel Malherbe, management executive, First Digital, said these employees frequently turn to the use of manual systems and unknown consumer technology in order to complete their work and these unrecognised, unauthorised apps and devices – also known as ‘shadow IT’ – can pose a serious security risk to a company.
“Microsoft estimates, according to internal data from November 2019, that there is an average of 181 or more software-As-a-service (SaaS) apps in use at every organisation. It’s not surprising then, when it comes to frontline technology, that a major priority for 74% of IT leaders is ensuring the security of company and customer data. This is followed by two other key factors: providing relevant technology tools (66%) and boosting productivity (59%).”
By leveraging Microsoft 365 for frontline workers, businesses can provide these critical staff members with simple, intuitive and secure solutions, including the relevant productivity apps, an integrated hub for communication and collaboration, the ability to engage across a mobile intranet and enterprise social networking, access to files, and more.
“This provides companies with a cost-effective option, empowering those critical employees that may not be allocated a physical desk and computer, but who are often the first point of contact for clients,” Malherbe said.
