The past year has definitely brought a great many challenges for businesses worldwide. As employees have moved in record numbers toward a new approach to remote work, companies have had to adapt, drawing up new strategies for managing people and their technology. But this hasn’t been all bad. In fact, with big challenges come big opportunities for workplace modernization.
Corporate leaders are starting to think about this crisis in a constructive way. More and more, they’re asking themselves: How can we take proactive steps during these difficult times, modifying people’s work strategies for the better? What if we can ultimately help them become more efficient – and happier to boot?
It appears that this is indeed possible. Adobe Digital Insights recently shed some light on a few key technology trends that are reshaping the business world in 2021, and there was a consistent theme – companies are looking to digitize as many processes as possible to increase efficiency. Technologies such as digital documents and e-signatures are reaching sky-high levels of popularity. Not only are these new approaches highly efficient, but they’re safe to implement during this era of social distancing. Why bother with passing around paper documents in person when you don’t have to?
One key trend in 2021 is that young consumers and their technology habits are shaping the future of the business world. Adobe’s research said that 53% of Generation Z individuals signed a document electronically for the first time in 2020, and now we’re gradually seeing older generations follow their lead. They’re using a wide range of devices for filling out e-signatures, including not just desktops and laptops but also “smart” devices like tablets and phones.
What we’re seeing is that industries everywhere are recognizing and embracing the future of work. Government, financial services, and education are all examples of sectors where new technologies like e-signatures are taking off. Schools, for instance, are using digital documents for everything from tracking grants and donations to handling admissions and financial aid processes. Just about everyone, regardless of industry, is realizing that digitization represents a great way to streamline and secure everything they do.
Adobe’s data shows that 60% of consumers have signed more digital documents in the last six months than the previous six. In the months between June and September of 2020 in particular, Adobe Sign saw triple-digit growth year over year. The pandemic is largely responsible for prompting people to try digitizing documents, but here’s the thing: This trend isn’t going to end once COVID-19 is over. People have made their choice. They’ve gone digital, and they’re not going back.
At Zones, we support this movement wholeheartedly, and we’re proud to work together with Adobe to drive this digital transformation. Companies and their employees are going to continue signing documents digitally for a long time to come, and we’re going to help. Through our partnership with Adobe, we’ve always worked to change the world through creative innovation and illuminating digital experiences, and that’s more true now than ever. Connect with us today to find out how Adobe solutions and Zones services can revolutionize your business.