The ABCs of a Smart Future Workplace - Business Insight - Canon Singapore

Digitalisation in today’s world is no longer a choice but a necessity. The way we work has irrevocably changed since the pandemic. Hybrid work is the new way of life. Human-machine relationships have flourished. And workplaces have evolved to be dynamic, agile, seamless, and intuitive.

Business leaders today understand the crucial need for agility and adaptability in driving success. But as we enter an era of hyper-connectivity and unprecedented innovations, how would workplaces continue to transform? What defines a resilient and future-ready workplace in an ever-evolving future of work?

The answers are as simple as A, B, and C!

ChatGPT, the poster child of generative AI (GenAI) has demonstrated the potential of artificial intelligence to disrupt industries and impact lives. And businesses are rapidly embracing this transformative opportunity.

An IDC study reveals that AI spending in Asia Pacific is expected to reach US$78.4 billion by 2027. By 2026, enterprises with intelligent digital workspaces are forecasted to see a 50% increase in business outcomes. And 76% of organisations have prioritised intelligence programs, even amidst global economic headwinds.

AI in action

AI is undoubtedly poised to transform the workplace in unprecedented ways. Canon’s Workplace AI, for example, integrates advanced technologies like edge computing, IoT, and AI-powered video analytics to empower businesses with intelligence like never before.

Imagine: Temperature sensors that visualise, analyse, and forecast space usage patterns. Face analytics that identify individuals and discern demographics. Automated surveillance systems that prevent access for unauthorised individuals and vehicles.

With Workplace AI, these capabilities transform into possibilities, allowing businesses to effortlessly and efficiently make accurate and informed business decisions — all in real-time.

Intelligence need not always operate on a large scale

AI can also make an impact on smaller, more focused applications.

Canon's Smart Auto Tracking application, for example, uses AI to augment the tracking capabilities of our remote cameras. Intelligent in-camera visual analysis enables these cameras to automatically track people with precision, ensuring that they’re always in frame — even in the absence of camera operators. This enables them to deliver quality, uninterrupted footage in boardroom meetings and virtual conferences.

“The wealth of business depends on the health of workers.”

In its guide for healthy workplaces, the World Health Organisation underscored the importance of workers’ health, safety, and well-being in advancing productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability.

This aligns with studies confirming that positive work environments contribute to better employee performance. Business executives agree with this, with over 86% of them believing that investing in people can drive positive economic and environmental outcomes.

Wellness begins with the physical environment

As Jeanna Meister, founding partner of Future Workplace writes, “‘Invisible factors’ like natural light and office temperature provide the greatest influence on workplace wellness, employee productivity, and the overall quality of the employee experience.”

Canon’s Workplace AI facilitates these ‘invisible factors’ by utilising smart sensors to detect, analyse, and optimise environmental conditions like air quality and temperature. This enables businesses to consistently provide a safe and conducive physical work environment for employees to thrive in.

The same datasets could also integrate with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to optimise energy consumption and align with the organisation’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

A report by CBRE may name the Asia Pacific region as the leader in global return-to-office efforts, but one thing remains certain — hybrid and remote work is here to stay.

With workers working anytime, anywhere, businesses must have the right collaborative tools to streamline work experiences and keep employees engaged. In fact, IDC predicts that 60% of A2000 firms will have upgraded their hardware and software by 2025 in efforts to boost worker retention and enhance collaboration.

First, digitisation

The first step to creating a seamless and collaborative environment is digitisation. Canon’s IRISPowerscan, for example, extracts data from any incoming documents — physical and digital — and integrates them automatically to existing business applications. Document management solutions like Therefore™ automate and simplify document workflows, effectively capturing, retrieving, indexing, and archiving all information in one safe and easy-to-use platform.

These solutions enable businesses to eliminate inefficient and repetitive manual tasks like invoice processing, data entry, and search and retrieval. This not only enhances overall efficiency and productivity but also empowers employees to focus on higher-value activities like analysis, decision-making, and, of course, collaborating.

Next, immersive collaboration

Effective collaboration tools must have the capability to bring employees closer together, no matter their location.

Visual collaboration tools like 4K interactive panels provide immersive whiteboarding experiences by allowing remote teams to seamlessly write, annotate, present, and even share files — as if they were working in the same room.

Hardware like Canon’s CR-N100 PTZ camera completes the experience with intelligent auto-tracking and 4K high-quality live streaming, ensuring that fellow colleagues never miss a moment.

Realising the workplace of tomorrow

These ABCs signify just the start of what we can expect in an increasingly hyperconnected future of work. Reach out if you’re interested in discovering how you can realise your workplace of tomorrow.

For more information on Canon’s Smart Workplace solutions, visit https://bcbs.asia.canon/about-smart-tech/smart-workplace/