The virtual office is on the rise—and professional lives are taking part at a distance. Less universal connection isn’t a bad thing, and numerous technology expansions, mobile devices and innovative solutions are making virtual offices one of the industry’s best choices.
Quicker network access, online collaboration tools and telecommuting services have all jump-started the virtual office scene, creating some pretty potent trends. Let’s check out 2015’s top virtual office trends to watch and invest in…
Trend One: Cloud-Accessible Mobile Apps
They’ve been around for a while, but they’re becoming streamlined for business practices. MIT Technology Review has discussed emergent technology, focusing upon cloud-based mobile apps in the virtual office scene. Workers need better tools, including email organization technology, voice recognition programs and competent service software. In the modern world, cloud computing is a universal fuel.
Trend Two: Voice Recognition
Speaking of voice recognition, emergent speech synthesis software is on the rise. It’s become so useful, in fact, it’s considered one of IBM’s finest achievements. The Watson supercomputer adequately answers queries, utilizing AI-driven solutions and a complex voice recognition database. Watson’s question-answering software has been implemented into medical field research, developing unique solutions to some of the world’s longest-running problems.
Trend Three: Bookkeeping Tools
Sure, organization is nice. Modern technology has, however, lifted our storage capacity to new levels. Keeping track of bills, papers and important documents is easier than ever, and virtual offices have answered with excellent tools. The Nevada-based International Virtual Assistants Association, reflected through Entrepreneur, has focused upon innovative information storage solutions.
Virtual assistants capable of following up tasks quickly and precisely, they’ve concluded, have a step up in the industry. Immediate information storage and retrieval is valued in a business climate determined by big data, consumer research and information recall. The world’s speed might be quickening, but personal offices are keeping up the pace.
Trend Four: Data Presentation Software
Can you say “PowerPoint”? Data presentation has become an invaluable virtual office resource. As virtual business practices expand, so too do research presentation needs. PowerPoint summaries, graphs and research viewing resources have become more relevant than ever before, slowly becoming the modern virtual office’s golden utility.
Growing utilities only grow further, too. PowerPoint might be the next “office essential” for many companies. Projects, analytical interpretations and even pitches can be exported, opened and viewed. In remote business culture—who could ask for more?
Trend Five: Travel
Surprisingly, the virtual office’s previous seclusion has opened the doors to travel opportunities. Those governing virtual offices are increasingly likely to travel, and travel research tools have become incredibly useful. Booking airfares, finding hotels, gaging prices and mapping business itineraries are emergent, travel-based business actions. Researching international travel options might be a part of the virtual office-runner’s weekly schedule. Who knew?
Trend Six: Large Organizations
A study conducted and featured through BrandonGaille.com placed different-sized businesses against each other to determine the likelihood of remote offices. Above all, large companies, it was revealed, are most likely to invest in virtual office spaces. 49 percent of recorded large businesses proposed a liking for workers committed to both home and office workspaces.
Trend Seven: Solution Toolkits
As the virtual office grows across business communities, virtual office solutions become increasingly prevalent. They should, too, as an ever-expanding industry needs governed solutions. Virtual offices aren’t about isolated activity, anymore. They’re about connectivity, corporate architecture and grand design.
Often, expanding companies utilize virtual office solutions to scale effectively. Sure, quarterly procedures need to be streamlined. Sure, optimization is a goal. Above these priorities, however, having a cohesive environment is important. It isn’t enough to speed up operations. Growing businesses need immediate response, live support and innovative technology. Here, virtual office packages help.