So this week we saw the easing of Covid restrictions in the UK, and slowly it might seem like things are getting back to normal. Well, a normal of sorts. The fact of the matter is that the way that we work and live has changed a lot over the last year and a bit. Experts from Pew Research suggest that the “new normal” that we encounter in 2025 will be much more tech-focused than our day-to-day lives area already.
It’s certain that Covid has changed our technology habits, and these are some of the biggest changes that have happened and are likely to continue.
With more of us using apps like NHS track and trace, it is making more people vulnerable to cyber attacks if not being vigilant. Recently the BBC noted in an article about a fraudulent QR code put up at the venue that when scanned directed people to a non-genuine domain. Obviously, something like track and trace is likely to remain for the time being and does an important job keeping people healthy. However, as scanning public QR codes becomes more prevalent it is going to be important to remain vigilant so this new tech habit doesn’t end up causing havoc through malware and computer viruses.
One thing that is definitely here to stay is a much higher percentage of people working from home. This is something that we’ve been thinking about for a long time – we were writing about it on our blog back in October. The fact of the matter is that this has already changed the way that we’re using tech at home, more robust home offices and IT tools to go along with this.
An area that might draw your focus now is having the right IT tools to facilitate hybrid working – where some colleagues are in the office and some are at home. Luckily, many of the tools used previously like Office 365 or Zoom will continue to allow you to work successfully with your team.
Two things that you might want to consider how to implement into your business if you haven’t been able to do so already are online ordering and contactless or cashless payments. Both of these areas have ballooned since the start of the pandemic – online delivery up 51% and cashless payments 46%. This isn’t always natural territory for a business – service businesses for example. However, if you are able to think about how you can fold this type of sale into your existing offering then you will be well on the way to future-proofing some of your sales.
With adjustments to how technology impacts our lives not going anywhere, the best thing you can do for your business is making sure that how you use tech is up to scratch and secure. If you’re not sure where to start, but know that you need to do something, learn more about how WebbyTech can work with you to support your outsourced IT.
If you’re still thinking about how you are able to transition back to this office, we’ve written more about that here.
