Unified communication and collaboration enabling businesses to work from home
Lockdown due to COVID-19 crisis forced a large section of the global workforce to start working from home in a very short span of time, unplanned, and with limited resources. WFH was not an option for every industry. Even for the industries where this was an option, there was struggle initially to facilitate work. Various software tools and technologies have played an important role in streamlining the work and Unified Communication and Collaboration is at the forefront.
Work from home came with a lot of challenges like difficulty in interaction, reduced employee engagement, inadequate work supervision, meetings with hindrances, unpredictable call handling and much more. UC&C offered effective ways to address these challenges.
Advanced unified communication solutions create a virtual workplace where employees can communicate and work together in real-time. Various business processes like brainstorming meetings, presentations, document reviews, candidate evaluation and interviews for recruitment, can be moved online using collaboration technologies such as audio and video conferencing, instant messaging, integrated calendars, document sharing, whiteboards, and various co-browsing/co-creating/co-editing mechanisms. A unified virtual environment built using these technologies connects team members working in different parts of the world and creates a cohesive experience. It makes business processes more responsive, tools easily accessible, and team work more productive.
If managed well, WFH has a lot of benefits to offer to businesses, and also to their employees. Studies have shown that employees working from home are often more effective, work for longer durations and spend less time in unproductive conversations. Operational costs reduce by saving on office space, supplies and maintenance. For employees, no commute to office means saved time, money and effort. They are able to spend more time with their families and pursue their interests.
Covid-19 compelled companies to shift to WFH, but having experienced the benefits, WFH appears to be here to stay. Biggest software technology companies of the world have already announced plans to keep part of their workforce working for home even after the threat of Covid-19 diminishes. This has created excellent opportunity for advancement of UC&C technologies that will further improve effectiveness of online collaboration. SpringCT is at the leading edge of this technology and is looking forward to making an important contribution in shaping the future of collaboration.
Telemedicine has proved itself a weapon during fight against COVID-19
No doubt the Coronavirus outbreak has changed lives in so many ways. Shackles of social distancing and lockdown have been tightening their grip every day affecting significantly the lives of people.
Where the spread of coronavirus infection is a big threat faced by the doctors and other medical professionals, Telemedicine has come to the fore as a key technology for safe and efficient communications. It is emerging as the way forward for smooth functioning of healthcare services.
A Telemedicine Platform creates a virtual clinic where a doctor can consult a remotely located patient through secure video-conferencing. The platform enables them to share test reports, review past medical records, write prescriptions, generate bill and make online payments, all with data security considerations. More advanced platforms also integrate medical devices such as digital stethoscopes and ECG monitors. Entire conversation, as well as data and documents generated, are saved for future reference. As an added benefit, multiple doctors or medical organizations can collaborate easily as they can share access to information.
The technology is proving to be a blessing for patients with chronic diseases that require regular monitoring and consultation. Patients, who cannot travel to a clinic due to the risk of getting exposed to coronavirus infection, can safely consult their doctors from the comfort of their homes.
Telemedicine has been around for long as a supporting tool for healthcare, but the crisis has suddenly forced people to explore full potential of the technology. WHO has identified it as an essential service in “Strengthening the Health Systems Response to COVID-19” policy.
The Pandemic situation is continuously changing. Agile nature of Telemedicine technology helps in coping up with the changes in the most effective manner and has established itself as an essential technology for a competent response to the crisis.
