Addressing the specific needs of frontline workers for better integration

Even in the corporate world, we tend to overlook one fact: the frontline workers, who interact directly with customers or focus on production, represent 80% of the workforce across all sectors. Given the constraints of their jobs, they have specific needs concerning the digital work environment.

In my opinion, this is a key point to consider. Not all of them work behind a desk. However, they must access the data necessary for their activities wherever they are. Many are equipped with rugged or specialized devices. However, 41% of them still complain about not having the right digital tools to work effectively.

Talent retention

The real challenge for companies is, therefore, to provide frontline workers with a reliable digital environment to facilitate their work, enhance their performance and integrate them better into the company to reduce turnover. To achieve this, companies need to:

1. Provide ergonomic devices
2. Equip frontline workers with suitable and user-friendly applications
3. Offer robust connectivity
4. Ensure security in the face of the exponential increase in cyber risks
5. Monitor the performance of implemented solutions

My experience with the Orange Business teams has taught me that, once they are aware of their specific needs, many customers want support to help them make the right choices. That is where our expertise makes the difference.

We have solutions that cover devices to applications and can naturally include connectivity. Orange Business offers monitoring, security and control services for rugged devices. We provide off-the-shelf applications, but we can also design, develop and integrate custom applications. Lastly, our tools can help better integrate frontline workers into the company's digital workspace.

Optimized digital tools

One example speaks for itself. eSafeMePro, an off-the-shelf application, acts as a digital rescuer for isolated workers. In case of abnormal behavior, such as a fall or prolonged immobility, the server platform triggers an alert to rescue the worker. Another example is the walkie-talkie feature in Microsoft Teams, which allows users to connect directly to a maintenance channel by simply pressing a button.

But assistance can also take other forms. This is the case when deploying digital solutions developed by Orange Business. These solutions, mainly based on our expertise in the Extended Workplace, enable us to offer high-value-added applications to our business customers. Our experienced consulting and integration teams design and build tailor-made applications to offer high-performance solutions, adapted to your employees' working conditions, and integrated into your entire IS. We know how to deploy simple use cases in the field of facilitation (e.g., access to documentation, taking readings or event reporting assisted by QR code), right through to highly complex use cases, such as stock and pick-list management, exposure to noise or nuisance, complex access management, etc.

These are all elements that can simplify and enrich the daily lives of teams in the field if needs are identified, solutions are known and choices are made as objectively as possible. That is the beauty of the Orange Business auditing and consulting capabilities, which can be mobilized upstream and are a source of value creation and employee commitment for the company.

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