The world is becoming increasingly mobile and virtual, and because of that there are a number of ways businesses are being challenged to improve employee productivity. At the same time digital tools have become incredibly advanced, providing staff with intuitive means of communication, enhanced collaboration ability and a means to work more flexibly.

In fact, communication and collaboration tools are critical to modern business operations. These tools are at the very core of employee productivity, for engaging colleagues and stakeholders to complete the smallest tasks or to deliver complex business-led projects.

The latest collaboration tools also maximise employee engagement — after all, a happy employee is more likely to be more productive. More and more staff want these tools, and business owners need to ensure they provide the right infrastructure.

The question for many of these business decision makers, however, remains how to ensure that they are adopting the right technology that will truly meet the intuitive needs of the business and the employees. It seems complex, but it really need not be. Here’s how your business can commit to improving productivity through the use of digital tools in 2017.

Tap into the heart of the digital experience

Focusing on human experience is critical when digitising processes. Communicating and collaborating with work colleagues is a core component to how we work. Ensuring the tools that the business invests in caters to those needs will help with the digital transformation process and spike productivity. The human experience is the heart of the digital experience; only invest in tools and processes you can be sure will help and not hinder employees.

Simplify your infrastructure

Once you understand the core of the digital experience is human experience, it’s time to focus on what tools you have in place, and if they are actually working for employees. If a task is too complicated, we leave it till later. Deep down we all know this isn’t good for productivity. So why make it difficult for employees to get their work done?

It not only costs the business money, but it costs time and energy too. A simple remedy for this often commonplace productivity killer is assessing your infrastructure. Is it clunky? Too hard to navigate? Too many options? If so, ask yourself, can it all be centralised? Reduce any complexity if you can. The simpler the process, the more sustainable and cost effective it will be.

Take control of your digital future

Simplifying processes might seem easy but if you’re facing issues with adopting tools because of past choices, don’t let it hold you back. Past technology decisions have no place in your digital future. Adopt the communication and collaboration tools that you need, without worry. Many tools can work with existing networks.

Many software-based and cloud-based solutions can work this way too. In fact, plug-in connectors can tie existing systems together and hybrid premise and cloud models allow you to adopt new tools without compromising on existing infrastructure.

Leave barriers behind and collaborate

The best part of adopting these new tools is that it can bring together employees in new ways. Whether they are in the same building or on opposite sides of the world, with these digital tools employees can communicate, collaborate and share information. In return, their collective work will improve business performance. So it’s a win-win situation.

Partner with people you trust

This is where a trustworthy tech partner is critical. Finding a tech partner committed to delivering excellent customer service is critical, as you need to be certain that employees are supported. Furthermore, a supportive tech partner will also ensure that the solution they are providing matches the business aims and ambitions. A tech partner will be on hand to deliver in-depth and specialised expertise.

Overcome fragmentation in your business

We often over complicate or silo processes in a bid to cater to the many, but it can stump all that you’re trying to achieve. Fragmented systems often mean employees will need additional support and training to work better and more effectively together, which only adds to the cost to manage and maintain a solution. It’s important to avoid the hidden costs of fragmentation, as it’ll only impact the business productivity and create frustrations.

Embrace digital transformation

Digital transformation is crashing through every industry and has meant we have new ways to work, making us more agile, responsive, happier and productive.

What would digital transformation mean for your business? By understanding the opportunities that these digital tools provide, and how it can change the way employees work and operates, will be the most important step in ensuring productivity prevails for your business this year.

Trevor Connell is managing director West EMEA, Russia and APAC at Unify.