Mobile technology in the business world: a glimpse into the future

As we revealed in our Millennials in Tech study, focused on the work dynamics of millennials in the technology sector, 77% of these professionals use their personal phone for work-related tasks such as checking emails on the way to the office (62% 77%), using communication applications with clients and colleagues (42%) and productivity apps to manage their calendar and trips (more than 40%). But this increased connectivity and next-generation technologies offer many more opportunities in the workplace.

Regarding the new reality of younger employees, Jordi Arrufí, DLab Director of Mobile World Capital, explained that “the new generations feel much more comfortable in flexibility and mobility. Young companies such as start-ups and scale-ups have already been born with this mentality, but large corporations find it a bit more difficult to adapt to this reality and promote mobility initiatives, since they imply a transformation in the way of working of the organization at all levels "

Technology to improve productivity and flexibility

The Force Manager study also shows that 45% of respondents believe that throughout 2019 digitization and connectivity will mark advances that will allow more flexible work, both in terms of hours and workspace.

This is precisely one of the great trends and the advantage that technology offers of being able to work from anywhere and access information at all times is something that companies are increasingly taking into account "Companies today no longer we can ask ourselves questions of work-life balance. Now it is necessary to offer this flexibility of timetables and spaces and apps based on mobility facilitate this work ”, commented Juan Zamora, CEO and co-founder of Signaturit, an application born as a solution to electronic signature that allows you to send and sign documents online with full Legal validity.

Panelists during the round table

For his part, Joel Vicient, from Captio, a company specialized in remote management of all expenses related to business trips, considered that applications such as the one offered by his company allow streamlining processes and resources in order to improve the productivity of the company. According to Vicient, "voice assistants work especially well when their users are professionals who are regularly on the move, such as the commercial sector."

Artificial Intelligence and voice-controlled assistants, optimization tools

One of the main revolutions and current trends is the application of Artificial Intelligence in daily work processes with the aim of facilitating and optimizing them. This is extracted from Millennials in Tech, according to which, for 40% of millennial workers in the technology sector, the application of AI and voice-controlled assistants in business mechanics will optimize workloads and productivity. In the words of Oscar Macia, CEO and co-founder of ForceManager, “voice assistants are the future, but it is key to find their specific moment of use so that they respond to a specific need. In the case of ForceManager, this moment is in the car, when the salesperson needs to prepare for the meeting they are addressing. It is also important that your application does not crash at the time of use. If it doesn't work, users will stop trusting you. "

Although voice assistants such as Siri, from Apple, are widely known by the general public, Jaume Miralles, AI Technology Client Advisor at IBM Watson, assures in this regard that “there is still a long way to go in the development of Smart Speakers, whose evolution it seems that it will be closely linked to the personalization of experiences and learning about the preferences and needs of users, coming to anticipate their possible requests ".

Given all these reflections, it seems clear that the mobile can aspire to become a connectivity HUB, either with domestic solutions such as household appliances, or with applications for personal use and others for work. Out of the corner of his eye, yes, he will have to watch out for the emergence of new devices such as smartwatches that are going strong and will be able to compete with smartphones in the near future. Mobile phone has now become the Power and can do everything if you did not know anything what mobiles phone can do read this Article. 5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Mobile Phone Could Do

The role of mobile technology in driving financial inclusion

Financial inclusion is a fundamental pillar in economic development and poverty reduction in many countries. The digital transformation, which has erupted in Latin America in the last decade, has favored the reduction of the vulnerability of low-income households and improved social indicators in the region.

Latin America, with more than 414 million unique subscribers, has become the fourth largest mobile phone market in the world. Differences are observed between the countries of the region and within them. The digital divide persists and the population with access to mobile telephony is concentrated in rich and urban areas.

In a report from the Center for Latin American Monetary Studies (CEMLA) "Panorama of mobile money in Latin America and the Caribbean" highlights the priority of financial inclusion for economic and social development, becoming a way to reduce inequality between countries.

Africa is an example in promoting financial inclusion through mobile telephony. The 11 million mobile subscribers in 2000 grew to 246 million in eight years. Government policies conducive to financial inclusion, flexible and economical use of technology, and favorable conditions for the inclusion of various actors have also contributed to the success of mobile money.

About half of the population in Latin America is unbanked. About 14% of households borrowed from a relative or friend in the past year and 11.3% borrowed from regulated financial institutions. The region has little connection with the formal financial system and many precarious workers do not have the instruments to access credit or savings services.

Mobile money products have seen high growth in recent years. Peru and Mexico stand out as the countries with the most mobile money products in the region. BIM, in Peru, stands out for bringing together more than 30 money issuers. It is a mobile wallet with which you can receive, send money and pay for other services from your mobile.

In Mexico, there are tools such as Bancomer SMS, a service in which you can check your balance, make recharges or make transfers; Withdrawal without a card, which allows you to send cash to the recipient, without having to be a customer or have a card, and withdraw the money from the ATM. In 2014, 39% of Mexican adults had an account at a formal financial institution. Mexico is playing a pioneering role in the regulation of new technologies applied to finance, as is the case with the Fintech Law.

In Latin America, remittances take on special importance since they often represent a high percentage of the country's GDP. Currently, it is estimated that 4.3% of adults receive international remittances through mobile phones.

Inclusion and financial education

For financial inclusion to be successful it must be supported by financial education. In many cases there is great distrust on the part of the population about the security offered by a mobile device when carrying out financial transactions. Financial literacy programs, such as those delivered under the umbrella of the Center for Financial Education and Capabilities, help households become familiar with the use of mobile technology and gain confidence.

Latin America is one of the regions most committed to advancing financial inclusion and many governments are working to reform their regulations. The regulatory framework is an essential element for the growth of mobile money use. Regulations in Latin America are quite recent and most stipulate requirements for companies that offer these services.

The Center for Latin American Monetary Studies highlighted in a study the three fundamental requirements in the regulation for the protection of the user:

Transparency in information related to the operation of the service.

The strength of laws and regulations focused on protecting the user.

The appropriate levels of financial education of the population.

New technologies make it possible to replace physical money transactions with cards or mobile phones, trips to branches are no longer essential and are also a means of inclusion for those who are not banked.