5 ways mobile tech is changing the way we work forever

Published by Joel Willans on February 18, 2013

mobiletechatwork

Sayonara, nine-to-five; haloo, flexi-working! It’s quite a while since office life has been confined to office hours, or between cubicle walls: a globalized economy, project-based work patterns, and advances in mobile technology mean that we’re almost always on duty. Whether you’re working from an international airline departure lounge or from your own home, having mobile access to your emails and files is, these days, a prerequisite for success. And when a laptop’s not convenient or possible, smartphones rule the business day.

But they’re not just convenient: they’re game-changers. Here’s five ways that mobile technology is changing the way we work forever:

1. We can edit, access and share work, anytime, anywhere.

If you’re toggling between devices, the last thing you want is a mix-up between file versions. The Nokia Lumia family of smartphones comes loaded with Microsoft Office and Outlook so that you can create PowerPoint, Excel and Word documents on the go, then use Cloud services like SkyDrive, SharePoint or Office 365 save, sync and share them. The upshot is that you don’t need your PC to do your job any more: mobile tech lets you access and edit files across multiple interfaces, so you can work effectively as you travel.

Windows-Phone-8-Office-improvements-part-one

2. We can work securely out of the office

You don’t have to worry about leaving sensitive information in plain view on a restaurant table if you’re working from a smartphone; because security is a primary concern for the office tech developers, your confidential files really will be for your eyes-only. Windows 8 phones like the Nokia Lumia 920 come with hardware accelerated encryption, secured boot, apps that guard against malware and the ability to remotely lock and wipe your phone on the off chance that it gets misplaced. Plus, the Active Directory Rights Management Services make sure only authorised users can access your email.

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3. We can keep our business closer

There’s more to apps than Angry Birds: with business and leisure, don’t forget that mobile tech is all about communication. Downloadable services like WhatsApp offer free messaging, and your call package probably includes a number of free messages. What’s more, with Lync 2010 for Windows Phone, you can see which of your work colleagues are available, chat through IM and join Lync conferences easily with a single tap from your calendar entry. Which means that these days, no matter your location, you’ll never drop off the office grapevine again.

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4. We can work smarter and more intuitively

Smartphones such as the Nokia Lumia range have been specifically designed to help make working life easier. In handset design and interface look and feel, the range has been optimized for great performance and ease of use. Live Tiles are perfect for faster web browsing and fluid multi-tasking. People Hub brings your business contacts, messages and content together in one place. You can choose the person to contact, then how to contact them, all from one place. While People Hub groups, mean you can connect with your key people with a single touch.

PeopleHub

5.  We can learn new skills faster

Bewildered? The Nokia@Work business twitter channel is here to help demystify the world of business smartphones. They’re running real-life master classes at Social Media week in NYC all this week, but if you’re not in the vicinity, look up @NokiaatWork and #SmarterEveryDay to get tips on how mobile tech and social media can help you work more efficiently. They’re tweeting advice on developing business apps for Windows 8, the power of online communities for local businesses, and more: and you can access all this info from your phone—bettering your business on the go!

socialmediaweekAny other ways mobile tech is revolutionizing your nine to five? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below.

Image credit: Blumpy + DeclanTM

Comments

  • http://twitter.com/GeneDexter Gene Dexter

    Yes We Can!

  • http://twitter.com/tammikibler Tammi Kibler

    Always on means never off, which is a frightening prospect. However, the ability to resolve issues internationally in minutes without lagging a day or two makes our efforts more efficient.

  • http://twitter.com/rob_is_it R.T.

    Maybe a little too much work. Always on duty is convenient, but is it better for a life?

  • http://www.facebook.com/RobinRFoster Robin Foster

    These are five great insights and ones that are making my business more productive. Thank you for sharing!

  • http://twitter.com/davidlforbes David Forbes

    #1 is a blessing and a curse

  • http://twitter.com/msmir Miriam Slozberg

    Technology has made life much more convenient!

  • joshua liew

    it also means we can never really rest

  • http://reCareered.com/ philrosenberg

    It’s a double edged sword, because it makes work more convenient, it also makes it more difficult to unplug.

    • http://josepopoff.com/ José Popoff

      This was one of my first thoughts. I am a HS educator and as so, I´m concerned about the “side effects” all this convenience will hold for my students when they enter the business world.

    • http://www.facebook.com/joel.willans Joel Willans

      That’s a great point, Phil. Personally, I think the benefits massively outweigh the disadvantages. I really love the fact I’m freed from an office environment and a 9 to 5 regime. That said, I think when we’re all so easily connected, you have to be more draconian about downtime to get the work life balance right.

      • http://twitter.com/chipmalee Chip Malee

        @facebook-630641236:disqus did you test these office features that windows claims to do before praising them? As I am reading the comments here, #WindowsPhone can’t modify word, excel or import contacts from Outlook so it pretty much defeats all the “free from office” claims. As a reporter, which I assume you are, we are depending on you.

    • http://tahoe-is-walking-on.blogspot.com/ Tahoe

      good point. I see it as a matter of discipline. While discipline can be learned, and enhanced, it is also not of the nature or same intensity in everyone’s character. Some act less or more disciplined than others. Unplugging is an expression of you placing more value to unplug. Each decision and action you take is an expression of value towards the activity or entity. Discipline comes with understanding and aligning your actions and values.

  • http://www.geekchoice.com/washington-dc Dagmar Schneitz

    On the surface, mobile tech is a good thing. We can conveniently take our work with me, but it can be a curse. On one hand, our work can follow us, we never take time out for our families, and we can be haunted by our work. Plus, big brother, aka the boss, can always be watching.

  • http://twitter.com/dkempdesigns Dorthea Kemp

    Having work files and apps at hand makes it easier and more profitable to network. If you can show a new connection what you do, they are more likely to remember you and recommend you when someone asks them do they know anyone who “…”. That means more immediate marketing success.

  • http://www.newsmeback.com NewsMeBack

    Technology always has positive influence on our work

  • http://twitter.com/berge31 robert phillips

    I’ve been working remotely/mobile for the last ten years, and as Phil mentioned below, it is dual-edged. I do appreciate that the tools I require and use have rapidly become more flexible and powerful.

  • http://twitter.com/mbazaluk Mike Bazaluk

    great believer in mobile working, helped a lot during recent bad weather in UK, need to bare in mind possible security risks

  • http://twitter.com/ronald78910 Ron

    Everyone owes it to their soul to have some quiet time to themselves, even if only 15 minutes a day! It is unsettling to me to see people “plugged in” to technology 24/7. My kids visited over the holidays and had their phones in hand constantly, and visited with us less than ever! Technology should be a slave to us, not the other way around!

  • http://bajabybus.com/ Ian Wright

    Working from home is great if it’s your own business, subject to Phil’s point below…

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003810148110 Bridie Christopher

    interesting thank you

  • http://www.facebook.com/claudiu.gabriel Claudiu Clau

    definitely, mobile technology & smartphone apps represents an important step forward for increasing work productivity and security.

  • http://www.facebook.com/MarkAReynolds Mark Reynolds

    I love the Windows Phone intuitive interface and the inter-operability of the Office software.

  • Tim Allen

    This technology doesn’t mean we can never rest; it means we need to be better disciplined about how and when we use it. When land-lines were first invented, I’m sure people said “I don’t want people ringing me about work when I’m at home” – somehow they found a way of making it work.
    We just have to be sensible about how we use all the technology at our fingertips. Not easy, but it’s doable.

  • http://twitter.com/ERNIEARIAS Ernie Arias

    You can be on vacation anywhere in the world and still connected to your business. It gives you power, leverage and freedom. It’s an amazing thing!

  • Tom Mack

    Interesting idea presented about learning new skills faster, I see your point and have to agree. Wonder how we will harness this power of education without being overwelmed with the other distractions that come with the device.

  • http://www.facebook.com/dan.holmes Daniel Holmes

    My new Nokia Lumina 820 – is going to be my best phone ever, I can tell already…it just feels right! I’m sure it will be indispensable for anything I do on it and as a business tool! :) Thanks Nokia for a GR8 product.

  • http://leoneldelacruz.com/ Leonel De La Cruz

    Look in the other way of the distraction. The real question is whether the partnership between Nokia and Microsoft a good one. In my opinion Nokia has always created innovative products, however its partnerships is what has caused it to almost be forgotten.

  • http://www.facebook.com/rex.dow.3 Rex Dow

    thanks for sharing.

  • tööt

    Mobile tech is changing the way we live. Therefore, please consider also people who are not so tech savvy or the early birds in tech stuff.

  • http://twitter.com/djduncan David Duncan

    The technology has facilitated a change in our lifestyle which will increase as the years pass. This should be welcomed since we are able to enjoy a much more flexible lifestyle

  • http://www.facebook.com/goodnreadytogo Lenore Goodnreadytogo

    Hi Joel,
    Thanks to the tech you describe, I run my biz from home.

  • http://www.facebook.com/thakurharshvardhan Harsh Vardhan Thakur

    Nice to hear all these things Nokia/Microsoft but..

    Did you know that syncing contacts from Google actually fails on every windows phone if the phone/email types are NOT set as “home/mobile/work”? Try this, and believe me, it’s very frustrating since you have “no contacts” despite all of your contacts are synced.

  • http://twitter.com/JJNippala Jari-Jukka Nippala

    In my case 1. is not true, at least not at the moment.
    For some reason I can open Excel-files in my Lumia 920,
    but the header says “This document cannot be edited.”
    I use Office as web app and via Lumia.
    This problem has been around for a couple of weeks.

    It used to be nice for example to do a list of gear that I need on a gig on my home PC and then tick the items loaded to my car with Lumia.

    • http://twitter.com/chipmalee Chip Malee

      @twitter-320606128:disqus you have confirmed that #WindowPhone is big lie. See my post 3/1 above same problem with Lumia 900 spreadsheet. No problem using android.

  • http://twitter.com/dalydose Jeff Daly

    Good article. I am definitely one that stays productive while mobile. My Lumia 920 does most everything I need. I haven’t had the need for a tablet and I don’t always take my laptop when I travel.

    I’d add the GPS functionality and even the camera is mission critical for social media promotion and engagement. I keep track of my notes and ideas in Evernote. I could go on, but I have work to do! :)

  • alfonzso

    I’d like to know more about bullet point #2. Please elaborate or tell me where I can find more security info regarding the Lumia 920. Thank you!

  • http://twitter.com/chipmalee Chip Malee

    Am I missing something or is #WindowsPhone all a big LIE? When I try to modify excel spreadsheet on Lumia 900 using Office stored on SkyDrive, I get a “read only” message. However I can modify same spreadsheet free using @Kingsoft_Office & stored on dropbox, on android Samsung Galaxy S2, without any problems. Windows will die, Android will live.