What is a Deskless Worker?
Deskless workers encompass the vast majority of the global workforce who perform their jobs outside of traditional office settings. This group includes individuals such as field service management workers, onsite engineers, drivers, equipment operators, and field service technicians. Unlike their office-based counterparts, these workers rely on mobile solutions and direct engagement with physical environments or customers to carry out their daily tasks. The deskless workforce include field service management workers, onsite engineers, drivers, equipment operators, and
field service technicians that comprise this majority. However,
a recent study by Emergence on deskless workforce and technology use revealed that many deskless workers are still provided with dated devices and solutions designed for their desk-bound counterparts. That vast chasm that divides deskless workers from true deskless technology still exists, even as technology has rapidly progressed and the deskless workforce population continues to grow. But by building awareness of the deskless workers’ impact on business goals, organizations across industries have
committed to ramp up their investment in deskless tech.
The status quo is about to change.
The Divide Between Deskless Workforce and Technology
Despite numbering around
2.7 billion people, or approximately 80% of the global workforce, deskless workers are way behind in terms of technology wholly dedicated for the use cases. In fact,
75% of deskless professionals all over the world are still using technology designed for their desk-based counterparts. Although they are crucial to operations, only
1% of business software investment is directed towards tools for deskless employees. Consequently, many of these workers resort to using personal software to bridge the technology gaps they face. That is just one of the major findings highlighted in
The State of Technology for the Deskless Workforce, a report published by Emergence Capital, a venture capital firm that backs early and growth-stage cloud tech and SaaS enterprises. The Emergence deskless workforce and technology study aims to shine a bright light on the glaring need to provide non-desk workers with their own dedicated technology, emphasize the growing value and impact of the deskless workforce, and empower enterprises to commit to giving them the technology they need.
Dissatisfaction With Current Tech
Almost all deskless workers are mobile.
Deskless employees are found in essential industries including construction, healthcare, education, retail, and transportation. They rarely find themselves behind a desk. Still, the majority of employers equip their deskless workers with unideal, desk-bound technology.
- 83% of the deskless employees who participated in the Emergence study said they were provided with desktops and laptops.
- Another 65% said employers failed to equip them with additional technology during the pandemic, driving down their productivity and efficiency.
This prevailing setup has left 60% of deskless employees dissatisfied with their employers and believes there is a large room for improvement. The Emergence report finds the following top three factors for software dissatisfaction:
- 44% say they work with slow and outdated software and tools.
- 20% report their current technology is inefficient.
- 14% find their tech is not intuitive, non-friendly to users.
Closing The Gap
The Emergence deskless workforce and technology report discovered that many
deskless workers have taken steps to close the technology gap themselves. 56% of the respondents said they already used unsanctioned/unauthorized technology to accomplish their tasks. More than half (53%) turned to consumer-grade apps while 32% proactively looked and acquired their own hardware and software to simplify and accelerate their jobs. Another 22% learned about these technologies through a colleague. That said, organizations are making strides toward the right direction. Almost 60% of respondents reported being given a smartphone or tablet by their employers. Newer tech such as smartwatches and drones, are starting to emerge, with 8% of deskless workers using them for work.
Deskless Tech: Decisive Factor
The 2020 deskless workforce and technology report by Emergence found that 78% of deskless workers now consider a company’s deskless capabilities when choosing a job. This figure should empower business organizations, particularly in deskless-heavy sectors, to include deskless tech as one of their goals to address the rising costs of recruitment and onboarding, as well as the negative impacts of high turn-over rate. The deskless workforce is expected to grow exponentially as more businesses adopt remote work policies and
industries shift to a more deskless-friendly model. This means enterprises need to pursue and invest in deskless tech if they look to attract and retain deskless professionals. When deskless workers are using technology like GoDeskless, the whole workforce is instantly connected. Thriving in a deskless model demands that companies adopt innovative tools and strategies tailored for remote field services. Effective management of a remote workforce hinges on integrating technology that automates processes, facilitates real-time communication, and streamlines operations. Beyond just technology, keeping remote and deskless employees engaged and connected will help ensure that they feel part of the team despite the physical distances. According to a 2022 study, deskless workers equipped with adequate technology are
twice as likely to express high job satisfaction. Furthermore, these employees are 50% more inclined to remain with their employer over the next five years, demonstrating that advanced technology not only enhances job satisfaction but also contributes to workforce stability. As industries continue to shift towards a more flexible, deskless work model,
the need for specialized tools that can handle the unique challenges of managing a deskless workforce becomes clear. GoDeskless offers targeted solutions that empower companies to enhance their operational capabilities and drive success in this new landscape. Embracing these modern strategies with GoDeskless can transform how your business operates, making your deskless workforce more efficient and connected. Learn more about how GoDeskless can elevate your field service management at
GoDeskless.
