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Improving productivity needs to be a top focus for any firm today, and one critical factor in delivering this is ensuring that network connectivity across all parts of a business is as fast and reliable as possible.
Increasingly, this means strong wireless performance, and this is not only an issue for businesses themselves, but building managers and landlords looking to make their properties as attractive as possible to potential tenants.
However, at the moment, in-building connectivity services are still poor in many locations, especially when it comes to wireless and cellular connectivity. Research by CommScope, for instance, found nearly half of workers (44 per cent) have been forced to step outside their office in order to either make a phone call or connect to a 4G mobile network for data services, as the capabilities inside the building are not good enough.
Phil Sorsky, vice-president of service providers international at CommScope, said the firm's research shows a significant link between the availability of strong wireless connectivity and productivity in the workplace, yet this is often a factor that is overlooked when companies are considering how they can improve their overall productivity.
Meeting the demands of the next generation
This is set to be a growing issue as the expectations for connectivity evolve. As members of 'Generation Z' - who have grown up expecting to be connected at all times - enter the workforce, they will bring with them radically different attitudes about how they work and from where, so networking pros will need to improve their wireless offerings in order to meet these needs.
It was noted by Ian Smith, IBC business manager at ExcelRedstone, that the effects of this are already being seen in educational settings, where smartphones and tablets are now an indispensable part of the learning experience. As these students graduate and move into the workforce, they will bring these devices with them, so businesses will have to respond.
CommScope stated that having lived their entire lives in a 'virtual world', these employees will be particularly frustrated if connectivity doesn't keep up.
The firm said: "They behave the same way wherever their devices are, regardless of location since, for them, the 'place' is defined by where they and their phones are, not a specific geography or location."
If firms can't offer this, they will find it difficult to attract and retain the best talent. ExcelRedstone figures show 57 per cent of employees expect to be working in a 'smart office' within five years. Already, four out of five millennials (79 per cent) say a positive work environment is more important than salary, and as Generation Z join them, expectations are only set to grow.
Key steps to futureproof your workplace
So how should businesses and building managers go about ensuring they are able to meet these needs. Firstly, organisations must be proactive in their approach - they cannot afford to wait until problems arise, to assume that any issues with poor indoor cellular performance will be the responsibility of the operator.
CommScope said an 'outside-in' approach does not always solve problems, as while operators are usually keen to invest in technology such as bae statins to improve their performance, there are many internal factors that can limit connectivity, such as retrofitting ‘E-Glass’ and adding newly built structures, which can further block service.
Instead, buildings must incorporate access to wireless connectivity into their digital transformation strategies. This means ensuring high-quality in-building wireless is a top priority for any developments. While firms may be wary about the potential costs of such strategies, CommScope stated they should reimagine these expenses as investments into the future of a business that will more than pay dividends in the years to come.
"An improved customer experience and a generally happier and more engaged workforce is a clear enabler of productivity. Ensuring the delivery of first-class in-building wireless coverage must be a priority for business leaders," the company stated.
