Constantly, we boast about the advantages technology has brought into the workplace. Thanks to modern-day technology, you no longer have to write things out by hand, figure accounting numbers by using a simple calculator, or worry about writing down the time and date of your next meeting (and then finding the note you left yourself) – technology helps simplify it all for you. Though technology is crucial in today’s workplace, there are instances where technology offers up more disadvantages than advantages.
Distractions
Technology is highly distracting. With a quick click, you can peruse social media, chat online with friends, or text your neighbor. Smartphones allow you access to the world while you're at work, and computers allow you to share, chat, and follow news, friends and family. These are all great for at-home, but while on the job, they pose a number of distractions that can actually decrease productivity, rather than boost it.
Costs
Technology has never been cheap. Not only is it costly to purchase, but the maintenance and upkeep for technology poses a mess of costs for your business. It seems like every few months you need to upgrade to the latest software, and in addition to the product costs, you must also train and educate your employees on the latest editions. Performance and productivity can drastically decrease while employees adjust to new systems, and for those who are less-than-technologically-savvy, the process of switching to a new technology can be very time-consuming.
Support and Security Issues
Some modern technology used in the workplace, such as tablets, is underestimated. Though they are more portable than the average PC, tablets require the same support and security as a desktop or laptop computer. These portable devices contain critical information about your company, and the usage of the employees needs to be monitored to prevent security breaches or lost data. This requires additional IT security and support. If your employees are unfamiliar with the device, additional training or support services will be needed to not only educate the employee, but also protect the costly device and the networks it's connected to.
Customer Hesitation and Retention Issues
Believe it or not, your customers are not always excited about technology. Sure, paying a bill online for your business’s services is convenient, but for some customers, this removes the in-person customer/business relationship and also puts the customer’s privacy at risk. If customers feel that they are unable to speak to live staff members, they may feel unappreciated and look for that customer connection elsewhere.
