COVID-19 Impact Accelerates Digital Work... "Collaboration Tools and Tech Infrastructure Must Be Established"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jihwan] An analysis has emerged that 'digital work,' which innovates work experiences through digital technologies amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), is rapidly rising. It was also mentioned that securing global collaboration tools and related infrastructure is necessary.

Samjong KPMG stated in its report titled "Digital Work Accelerated by COVID-19 and Corporate Response Measures" on the 21st that as remote work and telecommuting have spread worldwide due to COVID-19, the use of collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, video conferencing services Webex, and Zoom has significantly increased.

Collaboration tools developed domestically, such as Toast Workplace (NHN), Line Works (Works Mobile), and JANDI (Toss Lab), are also expanding their influence, and the use of network infrastructure like VPN (Virtual Private Network) is increasing.

The report said, "Companies with excellent employee experiences through innovation in people, places, and technology generate correspondingly high profits," and suggested that collaboration tools and digital technology infrastructure considering employees are necessary for digital work.

To prepare digital infrastructure, it is essential to install collaboration tool software required for remote work, such as cloud, messenger, and video conferencing solutions, and to have cybersecurity systems like encryption solutions and firewalls.

It also emphasized that the introduction of RPA (Robotic Process Automation), which can secure business continuity in preparation for the post-COVID era, should be considered.

Samjong KPMG conveyed that to improve performance in the changing digital work environment, △setting clear expectations △performance evaluation and review △creating and maintaining motivation △securing appropriate infrastructure △supporting teams and individuals △strengthening employee capabilities are important. Additionally, it presented a checklist for IT infrastructure and cyber/IT risk management in the COVID-19 situation.

Movements of global companies entering the collaboration tool market through M&A are also increasing. Last month, U.S. telecom company Verizon announced the acquisition of video conferencing technology firm BlueJeans. Startup SendBird also acquired video conferencing platform company LinearHub. The report forecasted that competition in the collaboration tool market will intensify further as tech giants such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook are launching new video conferencing services or expanding marketing.

Lee Donggeun, Executive Director of Samjong KPMG's Digital Division, emphasized, "With the spread of digital work, the importance of IT infrastructure and cybersecurity is increasing, and prevention and preparedness against IT incidents and cybercrime are necessary."

He added, "For the success of digital work in the post-COVID era, continuous consideration is needed on how to improve customer experience and generate corporate performance through innovation in employee work experience."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.