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Dell and Intel Study Uncovers Truth Behind Technology and the WorkforceDell (News - Alert) and Intel today unveiled findings from its second Global Evolving Workforce Study, which identifies and explores current and future trends pertaining to the workplace and workforce and the role that technology has played in their evolution. The research surveyed almost 5,000 employees of small, medium and large organizations in 12 countries and uncovered a number of key insights for business leaders, IT managers and human resource professionals to consider when recruiting, supporting and retaining their workforce. "As the key provider of mobile technology, it's critical to keep a pulse on the changing landscape so we can continue to provide the right solutions and services for the evolving workforce," said Steve Lalla, vice president and general manager of Cloud Client Computing, Dell. "And as the research shows, now more than ever, the 'office' isn't defined by a desk within an employer's walls. With constant connectivity blurring the lines between professional and personal lives and devices, it's essential employees have seamless access to data when at the office, at home and on the road so they can stay productive, and IT secures and manages the data and user wherever it goes." Dell Global Evolving Workforce Study Trend Highlights: Key trends that emerged from the research centered on where and how employees work, the impact technology has on personal and work lives, and predictions around the automation of technology in the future.
Location of work also has an impact on the devices used. Sixty-two percent of employees consider the desktop PC as their primary business device while at work, with the highest use in financial services, public healthcare and government, but when doing work at home, laptops are used as frequently as desktops. For personal purposes, employees are switching to more mobile forms of technology where laptop, tablet and 2-in-1 usage is higher than when working in the office.
Distractions in the office, however, are a concern. Office-based employees feel they work best in an office at their desk (76 percent), yet 48 percent indicate they are frequently interrupted. Almost one in five employees wear headphones or earbuds in the office, and that usage doubles for those who feel they are frequently interrupted. The office doesn't seem to aid in increasing interpersonal communications either, as 51 percent of employees still frequently IM or email colleagues who are located physically near them, rather than talking with them directly.
Executives blur the lines between "work" and "personal" more than other employees. They indicate they use personal technology for work more frequently than other employees (64 percent vs 37 percent), take work technology home for personal purposes (45 percent vs 20 percent) and access personal websites/apps/software at work (67 percent vs 49 percent). More than half of employees globally currently use personal devices for work purposes or expect to do so in the future, while 43 percent of employees globally are secretly using personal devices for work without the company knowing, with smartphones and laptops being those most frequently used. "The challenge many IT departments face is how to manage and secure the increasing number of devices coming in and out of an organization. Smartphones, in particular, have been the primary device behind the BYOD model," said Bob O'Donnell, founder and chief analyst TECHnalysis Research. "That's forcing many organizations to rethink the way they manage devices, especially ones not purchased or completely accessible by IT."
Seventy-six percent of employees said technology has had an influence on the way they work in the past year. Forty-six percent said technology has increased their productivity and enabled them to communicate faster. But some feel the technology they have available holds them back from being productive and has hindered their career growth, with that feeling most pronounced in India. Fewer than half of employees globally report that the IT department takes employees opinions into consideration when selecting technology but those in emerging markets feel they have more influence over the choices that IT makes.
But those advancements in technology won't replace the need for humans in the workplace as only 34 percent of respondents think their job will be fully automated in their lifetime. Those in emerging countries, specifically UAE, India, and Turkey are more willing to rely on technology, while those in UK, US and Japan are looking for a more human touch in their work lives. With the workplace changing, job responsibilities are being met at home, at client locations, even in public spaces like coffee shops and public transportation, so mobility has become a priority. Amid the flux, mobile technologies and alternative interfaces are playing an increasing role - laptops, tablets, mobile phones, 2-in-1s, thin clients and desktop virtualization introduce unprecedented versatility into the IT toolkit. Business leaders, IT managers and human resource professionals should focus on the following to better understand their employees' diverse needs and provide the right environments and technology to enable them to do their best work.
For a more in-depth analysis, please review the study in full at www.dell.com/evolvingworkforce. About the Global Evolving Workforce Study Dell and Intel (News - Alert) commissioned TNS to conduct the Global Evolving Workforce Study with 4,764 full-time employees of small, medium and large-sized organizations-distributed across 12 countries (US, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Brazil, China, India, Russia, Turkey, UAE, and South Africa) and six private industries (financial services, manufacturing, retail, media & entertainment, healthcare, and education) and three public industries (government, healthcare and education). The quantitative survey was conducted between July 11, 2014 and September 5, 2014. Dell also interviewed industry experts and analysts in human resources, technology, and organization psychologists for their insight on the findings. For an in-depth look at the research, please see the results, as well as videos and infographics, online at http://www.dell.com/evolvingworkforce. About Dell Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com. Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
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