Driving End-User Usage And Adoption For A Brighter Business Outlook

User adoption goes a lot further than just implementing technology that is easy to use. Simplicity and intuitiveness are important considerations, but a range of other strategies are available to guarantee uptake and business transformation.

Staff now want an interconnected communication experience. Unification is imperative and ensuring infrastructure, cloud services, UC and other network-centric technology operate reliably will help sustain high usage levels.

Platform fragmentation is not only confusing and time consuming for users, but it also adds unnecessary complexity for IT departments.

From a user perspective, motivating staff to use the technology can be easier said than done. To help drive adoption, consider the following:

• Clear away misconceptions associated with UC prior to implementation by demonstrating benefits to staff
• Allow time for staff to become comfortable and ensure a support structure is in place for those that need further assistance
• Ensure the IT department exercises patience while users become acquainted with systems and platforms
• Incentivise staff so they spread usage between each other and cultivate organic uptake through regular engagement
• Ensure management leads by example but without forcing usage heavy-handedly
• Provide regular training sessions and concise user guides that help, not hinder; avoid over-technicality

Understanding Staff Needs

Every enterprise has a different end user landscape so canvas employee feedback through user groups to obtain an overview of what staff need and what their expectations are.

Qualitative research and analysing business process will provide further context. During feedback sessions communicate possible benefits as this helps embed the idea of UC before migration occurs.

Preparing staff is crucial, as is regular motivation. Create a company culture where visual collaboration is beneficial for staff, not because the business says it is. Occasionally stricter policies are necessary for driving adoption in certain departments / working situations, but approach these with caution.

Quantifying The Results

Ongoing measurement (quantitative and qualitative) and regular audits should be the final step and include:

• Financial savings / cost measurement
• Productivity gains
• User satisfaction surveying
• Time savings / market speed reductions
• Utilisation of the UC estate
• IT department efficiency improvements
• Carbon reductions

Once the relevant data has been captured, adjust the user adoption strategy accordingly and utilise the information for future implementation. Research takes time, but it is a key component of driving usage and adoption.