What is a smart space?
Gartner describes a smart space as a physical or digital environment in which humans and technology-enabled systems interact in a connected and intelligent ecosystem. More specifically, this combines multiple elements of a business – people, processes, services and things – into a single platform for a more collaborative, immersive and automated experience.
The idea of a smart space has been popularised by concepts such as smart cities, smart homes and connected factories but is now extending into productivity tools.
One example is the use of a collaboration platform within an organisation to communicate, share content and work together on projects. These tools can be accessed on multiple devices at any time, furthering the idea of a smart space as a digital experience that isn’t confined to the boundary of a single computer or smartphone.
The idea of technology existing beyond a physical notion of a device has been popularised by cloud computing, but Gartner also believes that 2019 will see an increase in the number of autonomous ‘things’, such as robots, drones and vehicles, working together intelligently. Gartner foresees “swarms” of devices collaborating with each other and with humans to automate processes and solve problems.
“The Intelligent Digital Mesh has been a consistent theme for the past two years and continues as a major driver through 2019,” said David Cearley, an analyst at Gartner. “For example, artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of automated things and augmented intelligence is being used together with IoT, edge computing and digital twins to deliver highly integrated smart spaces.”
Insight Digital WorkspaceTM
Insight Digital WorkspaceTM (IDW) is an example of how a smart space can aid digital transformation. IDW is more than just a collaboration tool, it’s an intelligent hub that brings together the applications and information relevant to an individual’s everyday tasks.
IDW collates emails, upcoming events and to-do lists with recently used applications and documents as well as corporate communications. For example, it might provide easy access to a presentation you’ve been working on with your project team alongside a relevant company announcement.
It’s built on Microsoft Office 365, so it can access AI capabilities that add real time and contextual intelligence to centralise assets into a single interface, while it also works with third-party applications that are an essential part of an organisation’s processes.
Furthermore, Insight Digital WorkspaceTM is web-based so it can be accessed on multiple devices, emphasising how the concept of a smart space extends beyond a single device and how it can support flexible working initiatives.
The result is that employees don’t have to use multiple applications and sift through large amounts of data to do their jobs, which makes people more productive. Because IDW is easy to use, it satisfies demands for workplace tools to be as intuitive as consumer technology.
IDW reduces the risk of shadow IT – the use of unauthorised applications such as WhatsApp or Facebook for work-based activities.
Insight Digital WorkspaceTM works for all sizes of company across multiple industries. Why not contact Insight today to see how your organisation can benefit from enhanced collaboration and productivity?
Why not read 'Gartner’s Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2019'
