Is Digitalisation Good for More Than the Environment?

Digitalisation is becoming part of everyday life in many areas. It’s better for the environment, but can it help productivity and safety? Do we get a better experience from digital products and systems?

Those of you who know me will know that I’m a bit of a technophobe. Ok, so I may know how to build websites, write SEO articles, manage social media accounts, and so on, but when it comes to mobile phones … well, to me they’re really just a phone and a camera!  The only time I get a new phone is when I receive my kids’ hand-me-downs..

My friend is always sending me links to podcasts, but they scare me a little if I’m honest, I mean I will have to download an app or something won’t I? The only apps I have are my social media accounts!

I appreciate all the things that you can do on a phone, but I am happy being stuck in the past. I mean, I’ve only recently stopped buying CDs and now buy my albums as a download for my iPod. I hear all the cool kids use Spotify now instead! That’s one step too far for me.

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However, I do try to live as environmentally friendly as possible and I can recognise how technology and digitalisation are playing a big part in reducing paper and plastic use, particularly in business. People can now pay for shopping with their phones via Apple Pay, and have event and travel tickets sent directly to their emails to be scanned from a QR code on their phone screen. As a savvy shopper, even money-off coupons are now shown via a mobile code.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that biometrics were only seen in movies, mostly to gruesome effects where people would have to use a fingerprint or retina scan to access a safe or bank vault, or am I watching the wrong type of film? 😉 They are now used on a larger scale in business whether it be for security or data logging.

Not only that, since Covid took over the world, companies are having to adapt and find new ways to be safe and secure. As we look for more ways to avoid touching surfaces, we could see traditional keypads and door handles are becoming redundant. Companies that previously used ID cards to restrict entry to only authorised personnel have now found that better systems can be put in place.

Take building site access control, for example. Building sites understandably have high levels of health and safety management. It is important to know who is on-site, that they’ve had an induction and adequate training, hours worked, etc. A simple process of registration can ensure that the worker’s photo identification and all personal and work information are logged and stored for daily use. Workers can scan their phones at a digital entry point to the building site, and the management can track hours and staffing levels digitally ensuring that all health and safety legislation is adhered to. This paperless workforce administration system also reduces fraud, running costs, and a company’s carbon footprint.

It’s certainly an effective way for businesses to move forward. As for me and digitalisation? Maybe I’ll catch up in the next decade!

What about you, have you moved with the times? Do you use digital products and systems to be more efficient?