In July, Espria, a leading provider of digital workspace solutions, hosted its Optimise 2024 Q3 webinar. The event focused on enhancing operational teams and services through AI-driven tools and featured discussions with key solution partners from Gamma, Sophos, Xerox, and TP-Link.
Industry leaders gathered to explore the impact of AI in the workplace, discussing its benefits and challenges as businesses increasingly adopt new technologies. The discussions covered AI applications for data access, business cybersecurity, and strengthening enterprise strategy.
Richard Merrin, CEO of Spreckley Partners Limited and panel Chair, opened with, “The impact of AI on the modern workforce is undeniable. There is considerable confusion about AI’s effects on key business roles such as finance, procurement, and supply chain. Industry leaders must provide answers and guidance on how AI can enhance the SME experience.”
Greg Hawthorn, Managing Director, Cloud at Espria, emphasized the need to align AI tools with business strategies. “Understanding AI use cases specific to your organization is crucial for staying competitive. Training staff to use AI efficiently and ethically should be an integral part of any business strategy. AI is more than a buzzword; it should be understood and integrated thoughtfully.”
Lauren Williams, UCaaS and CCaaS specialist at Gamma, added, “Many businesses fear AI until they explore its capabilities. AI tools can significantly enhance business efficiency, productivity, and innovation by automating routine tasks and providing valuable insights for decision-making. AI should be embraced, not feared, and should be tailored for optimal use of company data.”
Dale Callum, Sales Engineer at Sophos, noted, “Effective AI use depends on the quality and volume of data. While humans may take days to analyze data, AI can process it in minutes, improving business operations and cybersecurity. AI can quickly resolve issues that traditionally took hours or days. However, it’s crucial to strengthen defenses against attackers, as AI has also increased social engineering attempts. People remain the weak link in cyber defense, and AI is a tool that can be used by both good and bad actors.”
Customer experience was highlighted as another area significantly improved by AI. “AI does not replace human resources but enhances them, allowing for more strategic thinking and better support in daily tasks,” said Hawthorn. “AI can drive staff retention, improve customer interactions, and provide a more consistent experience, especially with a dispersed workforce.”
“AI is essential for the future of work, and enterprises must embrace it rather than fear it,” concluded Espria. “We must address how AI and data are handled, ensuring ethical and effective use. With Espria’s support, operational teams can trust their IT service provider to offer the latest technologies for their business needs.”
Espria will host its next Optimise event on October 17th, focusing on technology to enhance customer experience with a new panel of guest speakers from leading vendor partners.
