The top 10 strategic digital workplace trends for 2023

As we approach 2023, the technology landscape is rapidly changing, with new workplace trends shaping how enterprises craft their digital business strategies. Looking at the tech categories now available, including new cloud-based solutions, advanced AI, and cross-application integrations, it’s clear that businesses will need to adopt new solutions in order to stay relevant. 

To give you a better idea about the technologies set to shape the business world over the next year, here are the top-10 strategic digital workplace trends for 2023. Let’s get started!

Top-10 strategic workplace trends for 2023

According to our research, the digital tools and trends to watch for the coming year include:

1) Cloud-based collaboration solutions

One of the most important digital workplace trends in 2023 will be the move towards cloud-based collaboration solutions that enable remote working. 

These technologies allow employees to work from anywhere in the world, at any time of day. They also help to reduce costs by eliminating the need for physical office space. As a result, businesses that undergo cloud transformations will be well-positioned to succeed in the modern workplace.

Some well-known cloud-based collaboration solutions include:

Zoom/Teams (communication)

Zoom and Teams are two of the most popular video conferencing softwares on the market and each has its own unique set of beneficial features. For example, Zoom offers high-quality HD video and audio, making it ideal for presentations or pitches.

Teams, on the other hand, offers a wide range of features that can help team members stay organized and on track, including task lists, calendars, and file sharing. Both platforms also allow users to screen share and record meetings, which can be useful for review or training purposes.

Drive/Sharepoint (productivity)

In the modern workplace, digital platforms like Google Drive and Sharepoint are essential for enabling better employee productivity. By providing a central repository for files and information, these platforms make it easy for employees to access the resources they need, when they need them. 

In addition, these platforms help to facilitate collaboration by making it easy for employees to share documents and work on projects together. As a result, businesses that make use of these digital platforms are able to operate more efficiently and effectively. In today’s competitive marketplace, this can give them a significant advantage.

Monday/Asana (management)

Monday.com and Asana are two popular digital platforms that enable better project management within enterprises. By consolidating all of the project’s tasks, files, and communication in one place, these platforms make it easy for project managers to track progress and keep everyone on the same page.

Both Monday.com and Asana offer a variety of features that make it easier to manage complex projects, such as Gantt charts and Kanban boards. Most importantly, these platforms allow enterprises to collaborate more effectively by providing a central space for team members to work together. 

2) Adaptive AI

The digital workplace is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and organizations must adapt to stay competitive. One of the most significant digital workplace trends is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) -powered tools. 

These tools are designed to help employees be more productive and efficient by automating simple tasks, providing real-time feedback, and offering predictive analytics. Digital assistants can free up employees’ time so they can focus on higher-level tasks, and data analysts can use predictive analytics to identify trends and offer insights that would otherwise be hidden. 

Adaptive AI is designed to learn and evolve, making it more effective at meeting the ever-changing needs of the digital workplace. It is expected to become an essential tool for organizations that want to stay ahead of the curve.

3) Hyperautomation 

Put simply, hyperautomation is the next step in the evolution of automation. 

With hyperautomation, businesses can automate more tasks and processes than ever before, boosting efficiency and productivity, reducing costs, and even improving customer service and satisfaction levels. In a world where customers expect instant gratification, being able to respond quickly and efficiently is essential. 

What is hyperautomation, exactly?

Rather than a single application or software, hyperautomation bundles together a whole host of technologies, including:

• Machine learning (ML) & deep learning (DL)
• Robotic process automation (RPA)
• Natural language processing (NLP)
• Intelligent business process management suites (iBPMS)
• Integration platform as a service (iPaaS)
• Process & task mining tools
• Workload automation tools

So, while the sheer amount of infrastructure, tools, and applications required to implement hyperautomation may seem daunting, doing so can help enterprises take their business to the next level. 

4) Digital employee experience (DEX) management

As digital transformation increasingly becomes the norm for businesses, so too does the importance of digital employee experience (DEX) management. Closely aligned with employee experience management (EEM), DEX management is the process of designing and delivering digital workplace experiences that enable employees to be productive and engaged. 

By managing DEX, businesses can stay ahead of the curve on digital workplace trends, ensuring that their employees have the best possible experience. In addition, it can help businesses to improve communication and collaboration, boost morale, and increase employee retention rates. 

5) Data privacy & security

As more businesses move towards a hybrid workforce, educating employees on how to maintain the company’s information has become even more of a priority than ever before. 

Most employees lack proper awareness of how to safeguard their devices and passwords. As a result, the onus is on businesses to provide clear education and training on how to secure remote (WFH) workstations and personal information. 

Therefore, companies must invest efforts and budgets into employee training to ensure the company’s information is kept private and secure – and, this way, companies can help reduce the risk of a security breach.

6) Adoption of metaverse technologies

The digital workplace is constantly evolving, and one of the latest trends is the adoption of metaverse technologies. Metaverse technologies are digital platforms that allow users to create, interact with, and share content virtually. 

For businesses, metaverse technologies offer a number of advantages. They can be used to create immersive training simulations, digital product demonstrations, and even virtual trade shows. In addition, metaverse technologies can help businesses to build stronger relationships with their customers and partners by providing a more engaging and interactive experience.

7) Mobile-optimized workplace

The trend towards remote work and a hybrid workforce has led to a corresponding increase in the number of work apps being developed with mobile optimization in mind. After all, if we’re no longer tied to a desk, why should our apps be? 

Work apps that are optimized for mobile devices allow users to stay productive even when they’re on the go. And, with such a wide variety of apps available, there’s sure to be one that meets your specific needs.

8) Sustainable technology

Enterprises are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact, and sustainable technology offers a number of advantages in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

Sustainable tech solutions can help enterprises to save energy and water, reduce waste, and cut down on emissions. What’s more, sustainable technology is often more efficient than traditional solutions, which means that enterprises can save money as well as the environment. 

Enterprises championing sustainable tech

Several companies, such as Google and Apple, are now completely powered by renewable energy. These companies also invest in sustainable projects, such as windmill farms and forests. Further, an increasing number of brands are investing in sustainable product packing and are taking measures to leave a negative carbon footprint. Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing are supporting this endeavor by enabling more efficient production as well as sustainable decision-making. 

With businesses under increasing pressure to go green, sustainable technology is set to play an important role in the digital workplace of the future.

9) Cross-application integrations & workflows 

In 2023, we expect an increase in the need for cross-application integrations and digital workflows. This means that employees will need to be able to access data and applications from a variety of different sources, and  navigate between them seamlessly. 

To meet this challenge, enterprises are turning to digital workplace solutions that allow for greater flexibility and collaboration. These solutions are designed to make it easy for employees to access the tools and information they need, when they need them. 

WalkMe’s State of Digital Adoption 2022-2023 report found that the average enterprise employee uses 27 applications per week. With that number expected to jump next year, new challenges to the digital workplace are rife.

As quoted in the report, “It is harder to ensure that employees have the training and support they need to use all the technology at their disposal. In fact, only 22% of enterprise leaders can confidently say that their employees use new technologies correctly”. 

The big question is: what is this costing enterprises? As it turns out, the inability of employees to effectively use technology costs enterprises an average of $21 million per year, which is why many are turning to digital adoption for their digital transformation needs.

10) Digital adoption

Achieving digital adoption means enabling users to make the most of digital tools as they were intended to be used. The goal is to help a brand-new user become self-sufficient and competent. Major enterprises are turning to digital adoption platforms not only to save their employees’ time, but also to ensure they are maximizing the ROI on their software investments. 

What are digital adoption platforms (DAPs)?

Digital adoption platforms (DAPs) allow enterprises to gain full visibility into how their tech stack is being used and where users get stuck. They can then create exceptional digital experiences for their employees that provide contextual support, boosting productivity and employee engagement. DAP is also being used for change management, employee onboarding and employee training, as well as supporting other digital transformation initiatives.