What's Next in Work: Video Conferencing and Collaboration Trends

Connectivity is critical in the hybrid work era, which is why sectors across the board are embracing more powerful, flexible collaboration solutions and video conferencing equipment. Whether it's making telemedicine and virtual education more inclusive, or making banking and government collaboration more safe, the difficulties are huge throughout the corporate sector.

Powerful video conferencing equipment and remote collaboration solutions are more important than ever as scattered work settings become the norm. In this article, we'll look at how video conferencing technologies will impact collaboration in the future and foresee the most crucial themes driving hybrid work innovation. Then, we'll go through the trends that are most important to the future of hybrid work.

What To Expect From Video Conferencing And Collaboration in 2023

Here's something you probably already know: work isn't what it used to be. Most firms have moved away from an office-first approach and toward some form of mixed work style in recent years.

However, you may be unaware that flexible work settings are here to stay. They're not going anywhere, but why should they? Distributed workplaces have proven a huge success for both corporations and people. These benefits, according to Gallup, include:

• Improved work-life balance

• More efficient time usage

• More flexibility in working hours and location

• Lower risk of burnout

• Greater productivity

If the opportunity to work from home were removed, 66% of workers would instantly hunt for new employment, while 39% would resign. Buffer's research found that 97% of employees desire to work remotely at least part-time for the remainder of their lives. Fortunately for the workforce, 72% of firms want to implement some form of remote work policy in the future.

But what does this mean for businesses like yours? It is vital for future success to align organisational operations and teamwork styles with the appropriate video conferencing equipment and communication tools. Almost two-thirds of employees think remote work has resulted in more meetings. As a result, executives must analyse how their people and technology fit together, where compromises may be made, and where existing investments can be improved. With the rise of new hybrid workflows, more employees will be interacting from different locations and time zones—the experience will be fragmented and uncomfortable if proper technologies are not in place.

Simply put, firms want the appropriate tools to bridge the gap between stakeholders and maximise the benefits of their increasingly flexible work environment.

Trends to Keep an Eye On

Of course, not all video conferencing systems and collaboration tools are created equal. You require a solution that fits into your business and streamlines work for all teams. Here are some of the top video conferencing and collaboration trends to consider as you assess your company's ideal future state.

1. Increased emphasis on security

Conference calls and meetings have become considerably more appealing targets for hackers as so much vital work is now done electronically. Indeed, according to Zerify, 97% of firms are concerned about securing video conferencing data and privacy. Worse, 84% believe that if their networks were penetrated, hackers could quickly take vital information and trade secrets.

IT executives should conduct extensive studies on their possibilities. End-to-end encryption, end-to-end identity verification, zero-trust security, and other capabilities will be standard on leading platforms.

2. Transitioning to cloud-based phone systems

Cloud calling, a more flexible calling service powered by Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is being utilized by an increasing number of businesses worldwide. Cloud calling is not only a more cost-effective approach to support company-wide interactions; it also provides a more convenient user experience.

In addition, advancements in cloud calling solutions have grown for the hybrid workforce. Some cloud providers even allow employees to convert their personal cell phones into IP phones by installing an app that allows for on-the-go video conferencing, texting, and other features. Cloud migration has become much more simplified for businesses that utilise on-premises phone systems, with the opportunity to follow a phased approach to the cloud that is scalable for all sizes of enterprises.

Consider this: the number of cloud calling licences has increased from 47 million in 2018 to over 90 million in 2022. As the market continues to shift toward the cloud, forward-thinking businesses are making cloud calling a key priority.

3. Transparency enhancement in hybrid workplaces

Communication between team members and management has gotten increasingly difficult as workers work from home, the office, and on the go. Some employees' schedules may differ from those of their colleagues, making it difficult to coordinate priorities and meet essential company objectives. Similarly, hybrid workplaces may lack the simplicity of face-to-face contact, creating an additional barrier between team members. This expanding chasm makes it harder for stakeholders to stay on the same page, potentially leading to worse performance.

Employees who report having clarity on their task, on the other hand, are:

• Almost four times as likely to intend to stay with the firm for at least another two years.

• 7 times as likely to say they seldom consider changing jobs.

• They are 4.5 times more likely to say they are satisfied with their present employer.

Breaking down barriers that impede productivity and set people up for failure requires a robust communication infrastructure. The finest systems support asynchronous communication by providing a comprehensive set of features such as direct messaging, team areas, face-to-face video conferencing, and more. These tools may be used to encourage regular cheque-ins among team members and keep everyone focused on the same goal.

4. Video conferencing gadgets with a lot of features

As hybrid work models have become more popular, executives have been racking their brains for a means to seamlessly integrate remote and in-office personnel. Part of the issue is that many businesses continue to use vendor-locked equipment—tools that are incompatible with the rest of their environment (and, worse, with the devices their employees use at home). This makes for a challenging, if not impossible, video conferencing experience.

This is only one of the issues that employees experience with collaborating in the hybrid workplace. According to research, employees who do not have access to appropriate technology at work are more likely to leave their present employment. On the other hand, the majority of employees who have the necessary technology have NO intentions to quit!

What is required is straightforward: video conferencing equipment that is geared for hybrid work. Organisations are assisting remote employees in taking their personal office spaces to the next level by providing headsets and cameras, as well as collaboration gadgets that facilitate virtual meetings, digital whiteboarding, and cloud call. Employees can meet, work, and interact effectively no matter where they work when these devices are purpose-built with AI capabilities like background noise reduction and audio and camera intelligence.

In terms of in-office technology, more company executives are giving their traditional workstations a much-needed facelift. Advanced technologies, such as room kit bundles, enable staff to make interesting presentations, share material, and workshop ideas, and expand the headquarters conference room globally. Whether at an employee's desk, a small huddle area, or a large conference room, feature-rich solutions improve communication with remote teams and improve everyone's work experience.

5. Collaboration suites that are all-in-one

Collaboration entails far more than video conferencing in a hybrid workplace. Teams are taking advantage of a range of interaction channels:

• Cloud calling has increased by 231%: As previously said, cloud-based phone systems are assisting employees in staying connected when on the road.

• Closed captions usage has increased by 467%: Advanced conferencing systems use artificial intelligence to automatically produce subtitles for users who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• The use of real-time translation has increased by 164%: Inclusivity is important in today's workplace. To ensure that no one is left out of the meeting, today's platforms can instantly translate the speaker's remarks into dozens of various languages.

• Increased participation in live Q&A and polling by 56%: By providing participants with interesting, real-time activities, you can not only break the ice, but also do a pulse cheque on engagement for everyone participating.

Only 36% of businesses have improved video meeting equipment since the epidemic began, according to Owl Labs. Even fewer (only 19%) increased cooperation and meeting space.

As more businesses become aware of the shortcomings of fragmented technologies, it is possible that many will seek a holistic solution. The ideal solution, of course, is one that not only delivers a fully integrated, connected, and inclusive platform, but also the hardware required to alter physical meeting places and take collaboration to the next level.

Important Takeaways

In the era of hybrid work, 2023 is poised to be a remarkable year. To stay ahead, it's crucial for company executives to not only focus on essential technological advancements but also align them with the interests and needs of their workforce.

But here's the exciting news: You can effortlessly achieve all of this and more with the right video conferencing solution. Whether your concerns revolve around security or collaboration, rest assured that there is a wide range of solutions available to empower you and your employees to make the most of hybrid work.

At Merge AV, we understand the critical role that audiovisual and online video conferencing play in facilitating seamless communication and collaboration in today's work environment. That's why we're here to offer you a cutting-edge solution that will revolutionise your virtual meetings and enhance your overall productivity.

Our state-of-the-art video conferencing solution provides a secure and collaborative platform that caters to your specific needs. With our advanced features and intuitive interface, you can connect with your remote teams, partners, and clients effortlessly, ensuring smooth and efficient communication from anywhere, at any time.