2022 Business Laptop Predictions: How Hybrid Working is Shaping the Future

2022 Business Laptop Predictions: How Hybrid Working is Shaping the Future

Predicting the future is never simple, with the world around us liable to change at any moment. While society and consumer trends may remain unpredictable, however, it is easier to see where enterprise activity is likely to evolve throughout 2022. Nick Offin, Head of Sales, Marketing & Operations for Dynabook Northern Europe, looks at the trends likely to shape technology over the coming months and beyond.  

Security plays a critical part in any modern business, and it’s becoming increasingly important as we embrace hybrid and remote working. Cybercrime is on the rise, with increasingly sophisticated malware, greater movement of devices and a growing dependence on networked technology, this means our devices, and the data they contain, have never been more at threat.  

A recent IDC report suggested that as many as one-third of organisations worldwide have experience a ransomware attack or data breach. As such, it’s vital that organisations provide staff with secure devices. This means everything from two-factor authentication to the latest operating systems and TPM (Trusted Platform Module) technology, ensuring devices offer the same security whether employees are working from home, in the office or anywhere else.

Even devices such as printers can make a big difference to security. Research from Quocirca found that over 60% of organisations experiencing at least one data breach due to a print-related data loss. As a result, we’re likely to see businesses increase security measures across the board in 2022 and beyond, including the introduction of more mobile-secure client solutions.

In fact, the Dynabook The Hybrid Shift report, which looked at the role of managing an increasingly remote workforce, found that 74% of European IT decision makers regard purchasing decisions around laptops as more important now than they did prior to the pandemic, and that security ranks as the most important requirement in the purchasing decision.  

Smart glasses help mobile edge computing to reach critical mass

Smart technology is playing an increasingly large part in everyday life, and 2022 is the year we’re most likely to see edge computing in industry reach critical mass. Devices such as the dynaEdge AR Smart Glasses make it possible for field workers to access the information they need wherever they go, and edge computing is enabling the technology to evolve and provide the necessary data.  

AR smart glasses provide everything enterprises require for field work. Wearable and hands-free technology makes it easier for operators to do their jobs, and the ability to integrate such solutions into existing infrastructure and IT security standards makes it easy to see why more organisations are looking to deploy smart glasses over the next 12 months and beyond.  

Drones are heading to the logistics industry

The logistics industry has seen some huge changes over recent years, with an increase in automation, robotics and artificial intelligence helping logistics companies to pick, pack and dispatch goods all over the world. With the effects of the pandemic still reverberating, and more and more customers shopping online, companies need to invest in the latest technology if they want to stay ahead of competitors.  

Drone delivery services have been touted as the next big thing for half a decade, but 2022 is the perfect time for the technology to really take off. Deliveries remain one of the few areas of the logistics industry yet to take advantage of robotics, and delivery drones could play a large part in alleviating recent headaches caused by a shortage of delivery drivers across Europe, both in 2022 and beyond.    

Better customer experiences through artificial intelligence

2022 is also the year we’re likely to see more organisations investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Companies are increasingly using AI to help understand consumer purchasing and decision patterns, providing real-time insights that can help businesses to become more efficient.  

The use of AI is becoming more accessible throughout the manufacturing and logistics industries, as companies turn to the technology for solutions such as more efficient and effective assembly line monitoring, resulting in a more streamlined process that will ultimately benefit consumers.  

Reducing carbon footprints through recycling schemes Sustainability is becoming an increasingly hot topic as companies look to reduce their carbon footprints. The past couple of years have seen many organisations replace IT equipment to make it easier for employees to work from home during the pandemic, and this highlights a huge opportunity when it comes to sustainability, with the ability to cut waste through recycling schemes.

All those old machines need to be disposed of, and more organisations than ever are seeking ethical solutions when it comes to replacing hardware. That means initiatives for reselling and recycling devices, and Sharp’s PCaaS (PC as a Service) is a great example of how businesses can benefit from a managed solution that includes end of life recycling.

If you would like to know how Dynabook laptops from Sharp can help your business solve the issues around remote working within your organisation, please Get In Touch.