AI AI AI – this is not a high-pitched cry for help, nor the chorus of Love Plus One*, but rather the acknowledgement that there seem to be only two topics on the news at present.
Let's skirt one of them.
So, technology is once again my beef. It has occurred to me that pretty much everyone I know is experiencing more and more IT irritations insofar as the basics are concerned.
Who has not recently had a Teams failure? Whose camera has stopped working randomly? Who else finds 5G a big disappointment or is suffering from all the computing power focussing on this rather than supporting 4G any more? Is every techno-bod focussing on the bright new shiny things…like AI?
When outsourcing property management, you expect ‘brilliant basics’, moreover you deserve them. There is a reasonably high baseline of services which have to be reached before anyone starts thinking about innovation. Yet it seems that in the world of technology, this rule does not apply; we are at the mercy of the whims of the software companies.
This sentiment isn't just a solitary grumble in the wilderness; it's echoed loudly in the corridors of our workplaces. Remit Consulting's own 'Office Worker Survey' (to be published soon!) throws a spotlight on this issue, revealing a telling statistic: Good IT facilities are not just a nicety but a necessity, with our research revealing that a staggering 71.3% of respondents rank them as essential.
Sure, the allure of dual monitors might tickle one's fancy, but let's cut to the chase – if the IT isn't up to scratch, it's more than just an annoyance; it's a deal-breaker. It's the kind of deterrent that makes even the most dedicated office-goer think twice about leaving their home setup. And who could blame them?
I have a mental image of all the geeks clustered around the desk of the “Co-Pilot” designer, the “Bard” or “ChatGPT” designer, whilst everything else slowly whirrs to a standstill.
Come on, guys, help us to walk before technology runs!
Since I am on a rant now, a further IT issue relates to laptop longevity (or shortgevity?). Not only does the software fail us constantly, but a two-year hardware lifespan is hardly environmentally friendly.
Someone, maybe all of us, should be holding the tech world to account.
Where do we go from here?
*For those too young to get this cultural reference, here’s a link: Love Plus One.