Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 26 | Page 50

Q& KLEOPATRA KIVRAKIDOU, CHANNEL MARKETING MANAGER AT ERGOTRON EDITOR’S Ki F vr ak id o u, C h n tro rgo E t er a a nn e l Marketing Manag rom streamlining data management, improving systems infrastructure, increasing cybersecurity postures or simply having virtual meetings via a laptop or smartphone, we use technology in a myriad of ways to work faster and more efficiently. Resellers and distributors who work with a wide variety of vendors in the channel are well-positioned to advise and suggest tailored solutions to businesses looking for ways to improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace through technology. However, in striving to reach new heights of speed and efficiency in the workplace, 50 productivity actually seems to have fallen. Most of the technology used for work requires us to be seated and, for us humans, who aren’t designed to be sedentary for extended periods of time, this can cause all sorts of physical discomfort, including achy necks, backs and wrists, which in turn means productivity takes a hit. Businesses should be approaching their partners in the channel as trusted advisors who can help them fully realise the value of their tech investments, including the human factor. Here’s where ergonomics, the science of optimising the products we use to do our work, can play a key role. Using movement-friendly furniture such as a sit-stand desk has been shown to increase Encouraging mobility and supporting comfortable computing leads to better engagement and productivity. productivity by up to 46%. The freedom to shift between sitting and standing can prevent restlessness, and the simple action of standing up boosts mental alertness and improves mood. Just as apps create a better connection between employees and tasks, furniture designed according to ergonomics principles creates a better connection between people and their devices. Long hours of screen time are an inescapable reality, so it’s crucial that each employee’s screen can be positioned in a way that’s kind to their body. The ergonomic solution to achieving this is to turn fixed monitors into movable ones by attaching them to a fully-adjustable arm that’s secured to the desk – it’s a simple, cost-effective way to ensure there’s minimal stress on the body, with a posture that feels natural and comfortable. Encouraging mobility and supporting comfortable computing leads to better engagement and productivity. This is why investment in technology should go beyond apps and devices to include workspaces where people and the digital world come together. Looking after the comfort of employees during their working day enables them to focus more on the job at hand, ensuring that technology continues to contribute to efficiency in the workplace.