The only constant in the world of tech is obsolescence. Every new gadget, every new version of it, becomes dated the minute it is out. R&D and innovation are the buzzwords today.

That is, in fact, a good thing. With every new invention, ways of working and communicating are getting simpler, faster and easier. Take smartphones, for instance. Wouldn’t you agree that they have taken over a large portion of the work done primarily by laptops and desktops? Information is available at your fingertips, on the go. You no longer have to be stuck to your desk. The umbilical cord of information has been severed, and you are free to follow your business where it goes.

This is just the beginning. The day isn’t far when smartphones too, will get replaced (to a large extent) by wearable technology. Agreed, Google Glass might not have done what it promised to do, but others are catching up fast. You have smartwatches and smart clothing already, and studies say that the use of wearable devices will touch 121 million in 2018. It’s not forecasting the future; it’s next year. If you are wondering whether your business needs wearables, read on.

How does wearable technology help a business?

More freedom: For starters, it frees you from the clutches of your desk and office. You can go out in the field where the business actually is.

More time: Field force can resolve client issues faster; customer queries can be addressed on the spot without leaving them waiting. With less time spent scrambling for information, employees and organizations can better utilize their time to focus on their core competencies.

More efficiency: With quick access to information and faster decision making, employees are becoming more efficient, greatly impacting productivity.

More savings: Better productivity means better savings. While all these few moments saved might not look like a lot on a daily basis, these precious minutes very quickly add up to hours, days and eventually weeks saved.

Everyone is invited: The beauty of wearable technology is that it allows people with disabilities to also contribute and perform the essential tasks of their job with ease.

What are the risks and challenges of bringing wearables into your workspace?
As is with anything new, using wearable’s in your office workplace also comes with a few challenges. What are the immediate risks that you might face?

Distraction: Wearables are still new and still a novelty. You can safely assume that employees will play and spend more time with the device initially. Also, since it is unlikely that everyone will own a wearable, other employees will be curious about it.

Possible security threat: A wearable is an internet-connected device. The more routes you open up to the internet, the more avenues you are giving a potential hacker to invade your system and to steal data. Make sure any wearable device that can access your data comes fitted with adequate security measures.

Misuse of technology: As the devices get smaller, there is a potential loss of control over what employees can do with them. Resentful employees could record activities and share data with outside agencies.

Are they really practical? While a lot of wearables are giving incredible access to the internet and creating an opportunity for other digital interaction, how practical is it to do all that on the small screen of a wristwatch as against a smartphone or a laptop? The world is still looking for a suitable answer to this.

Is your company ready for wearable tech?

Wearables might seem like a fad or an expensive accessory today, but more and more enterprises are beginning to see the impact this technology can have on its business. Tomorrow or the day after, wearables will become an intrinsic part of businesses.