Only 30% of organizations are taking meaningful steps to adapt their operational strategies for the future of work. At first glance, that may not seem like such a big deal. Yes, we’re talking about major HR and IT operational workflow shifts but they won’t kick in for at least another decade, right? Think again.
Experts predict that by 2030, we’ll see radical changes to where and how we work.
Let that sink in—within just five years, remote and hybrid work environments will be even more prevalent, many companies will hire more global talent, and AI will take over repetitive tasks faster than you can say “automation”.
Companies will need to rethink their IT asset management (ITAM) and procurement strategies to adapt. Is your organization’s IT ecosystem equipped to keep up, or is it among the 70% still lagging behind? Anticipating emerging trends (and their potential challenges) can help your organization proactively avoid pitfalls and outpace the competition as the future rapidly approaches.
Remote and hybrid workforces aren’t exactly “breaking news”—chances are, many of your teams spend some or all of their time working from home. And that trend is not changing anytime soon; flexible work models are on track to become the dominant way of working.
By 2030, remote and hybrid work will become the norm as technology rapidly advances and competition for top talent intensifies. That shift isn’t surprising since flexible work setups tend to be win-win for everyone. In fact, research shows hybrid and remote teams are happier and more productive.
But it’s not just about where the work gets done—it’s about who is doing it that will look different in just a few short years. As AI continues to automate routine tasks, teams will shift their focus to more high-value efforts that typically require specialized expertise. This means businesses will increasingly hire beyond local talent markets, potentially tapping into global talent pools to fill skill gaps.
With a surge in complex work on the horizon, more companies will turn to specialized gig workers for niche projects to scale their workforce through short-term commitments. Add to that an expected hike in employee turnover in the next few years and things start getting…complicated.
Remote Work Complications on the Horizon
Sure, a flexible, AI-driven workforce is great for efficiency but it can also introduce logistical headaches. Keeping up with the growing demand for remote onboarding and offboarding is one challenge—making sure teams have the right hardware and software to facilitate collaboration across different locations and time zones is another.
Coordinating IT procurement in-house leaves little room for error. One small purchasing or deployment mistake can lead to delays in employees receiving IT equipment like laptops and keyboards. Offboarding can get risky, too—missteps in data wiping or warehousing could jeopardize your organization’s security. That’s a lot to handle for IT teams already juggling a million other responsibilities.
Leveraging AI-powered asset lifecycle management platforms can help businesses streamline procurement and domestic & international delivery for remote onboarding and thrive in the new era of work.
The IT Playbook for an AI-Driven Workforce
Whether your workforce is full-time, contingent, or a mix of both, staff of the future will probably be exponentially supplemented by automation and artificial intelligence (including generative AI)—an ongoing reality as the future of work combines human expertise with advanced technologies.
At least 75% of knowledge workers are already using AI at work, and that number is expected to grow by 2030. By then, one-third of hours worked in the U.S. could be automated. Offloading routine tasks frees up teams to focus more on high-impact, strategic tasks that require creativity and problem-solving.
AI has the power to supercharge productivity, but only if organizations have the right IT infrastructure in place. That means a strong IT asset management strategy, cloud environments, and a security-first approach to help drive efficiency. IT teams without these must-haves may experience logistical nightmares.
Outdated hardware, unpatched software, and mishandled offboarding can leave companies exposed. Even a single mistake, like not properly erasing sensitive data from retired devices, can lead to security breaches or compliance violations. Considering all the possible things that could go wrong, how do you prevent your company from becoming the next “don’t be like them” cautionary tale?
The solution leverages cloud-based platforms that seamlessly integrate IT infrastructure, IT automation software, and productivity-enhancing apps like HRIS (HiBob, BambooHR, Oracle), MDM (Jamf, Intune, Kandji), payroll (Paylocity), and security solutions (Okta, Azure). These tools are designed to facilitate smoother workflows.
Plus, pre-configured hardware with built-in encryption and web application firewalls offers a more secure approach to boosting productivity without the heavy lift. A strong offboarding process that incorporates equipment pickup, secure data wiping, and sustainable recycling is also just as crucial.
The Future of Work Is Here—Did Your ITAM Get the Memo?
The future of work is not somewhere in the far-off distance—it’s fast approaching and will soon become the ‘present of work’ whether we’re ready or not. Technological innovation and automation, shifting workforce dynamics, and evolving business needs are reshaping the way we work. Those who plan today will thrive tomorrow, setting their teams up for success instead of leaving them scrambling to catch up in an AI-powered, remote, and global era. Don’t wait until IT operational challenges slow you down. The time to prepare is now.
Success in the new age of work starts with investing in smart IT asset management, logistics, and procurement. Outsourcing asset management cuts manual work for busy IT teams, allowing them to focus on bigger priorities while also minimizing risk.
As a leading all-in-one cloud-based SaaS solutions provider, Dots can help you take the stress out of ITAM. From secure device deployment and automated offboarding to AI-driven lifecycle management, Dots simplifies IT procurement and IT logistics with integrated, multi-vendor solutions so your business stays efficient, secure, and future-ready.
Ready to future-proof your IT operations? Book a demo with DOTS today to learn more.
