Mobility Drives Interest in Collaborative Solutions

The pandemic’s ripple effects persist and is spurring more Investments in mobile and collaboration solutions, which have become key corporate cornerstones. Energy companies are finding new ways to use these tools as well as extending the number of users relying on them. But they face challenges in exploiting the technology.  

When the pandemic struck, energy companies were forced to retool their workforces. Because of social distancing rules, mobility became quite common. Employees moved out from the office into remote locations in an instant. These enterprises needed to provide them with network access and new applications, so they could work with one another In addition, they were forced to deploy new systems to perform traditional tasks, like deploying energy efficient equipment at customer sites.

New Mobile Interactions Arise

Collaborative applications enable people to work from anywhere and have been become key to digital business transformation. So, it is not surprising that new uses of them are emerging. 

Virtual events, increasingly termed digital events, represent an opportunity to engage with audiences who may not be able or willing to travel for something like a sales presentation. A large number of industry specific trade show went virtual during the pandemic. Many have stayed that way while some hold a mix of live and virtual activities.

Another area of growing interest is virtual mobile enterprise communities. The latest variation on the social networking theme, companies hold various types of ongoing engagements, like information sessions, at regular times. These forums tighten the bond with customers.

Because of the benefits, worldwide revenues in collaboration applications market grew 28.4% year over year and reached $29.1 billion in 2021. The future looks bright: IDC projects that collaboration solutions will reach $63.8 billion in 2026, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of, according to International Data Corp.

Barriers Remain

Yet, barriers still exist. Many utilities remain tied to the legacy ways of doing business and have been slow to take advantage of new mobile opportunities.

The new tools require time, money and manpower investments. Energy companies have trouble making the business case. 

But a new era of metrics, KPIs, are emerging. They include key behavioral indicators (KBIs) that ling are tying situational management, creativity, collaboration, and problem solving to business outcomes.

The world became more mobile and more collaborative once the pandemic struck. In response, energy companies are embracing these technologies in growing numbers but face implementation challenges as they try to exploit the technology.