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JEDDAH - Organizations in the MENA region are taking steps to embrace the 'Office of the Future' concept, revolutionizing how their employees work and operate. This is evident in the 'Office Insights 2016' report released by Canon which states that 63% of organizations in the MENA region see value in the ability to print remotely from a smartphone, tablet or laptop.
The appetite and interest for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) style of working is also strongest in Saudi Arabia (62%). Working remotely is common practice, with respondents rating tablets as 'critical' devices - particularly those brought into the workplace.
Of the countries surveyed, the most technologically advanced markets were Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), both of which were most likely to increase spending on office technologies over the next three years.
The findings reveal that the combination of rapidly advancing technology, the growth of cloud-based services and an increased ability to work remotely have unlocked opportunities for greater working efficiency and empowerment in high-growth markets across the region.
"It's clear that businesses across regional markets are being empowered by innovative technology, and are welcoming futuristic ways of working to drive growth," said Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing Director, Canon Middle East and Canon Central and North Africa. "However, it is not without its set of challenges and therefore it is crucial we address concerns and provide the right level of guidance for each unique market, to ensure businesses are making informed and beneficial technology investments."
New printing technologies are being particularly welcomed by business leaders in the region. Ease of use and convenience has boosted the use of multi-functional devices (MFDs), which in turn has increased productivity - with Saudi Arabia one of the countries most likely to see further growth as a result. Business leaders were most likely to believe that basic printers will soon lose out to MFDs, and that they'll use the devices a lot more in three years' time.
© The Saudi Gazette 2016
