It’s a given that a well-appointed workspace relies on tech to catalyze productivity and fuel creativity. The trick is choosing an upgrade path that takes stock of what you’ve got, finds weak spots to address, and remedies them logically.

 

If you’re in the dark about how to do this yourself, hold tight as we talk through a few innovative approaches that will change your day-to-day working experience for the better.

 

Prioritize Flexibility

 

The more rigid your workspace, the less capable it will be of keeping you at the top of your game daily. That means picking tech that’s able to adapt to changing needs is a must, and here are a few ways to go about it:

 

Look Into Versatile Laptops

 

Desktop PCs were once the best choice for workplace productivity, but the power and flexibility of modern laptops mean that there’s really no need to go for a hulking device when a portable one will suit your varied working schedule better.

 

You just need to find a model that’s fit for purpose, and order from an online retailer with a good reputation in your region. For instance, if you’re in South Africa, there are Dell laptop offers from reputable retailers like PC International that will impress you – so you could get a good deal on the Inspiron 7430, with its 2-in-1 design that lets it double up as a touchscreen tablet. And if you’re in the US or anywhere else, the Lenovo Yoga range will be well suited to your needs.

 

Choose Furniture Wisely

 

Another important part of a flexible workspace is the furniture on which your tech sits, and arguably the best investment here is a standing desk, of which there are many respected options to consider including the Uplift V2 and the Herman Miller Jarvis. You can also pick tech-enhanced desks, such as units with built-in wireless charging capabilities like the FlexiSpot Q8 and the Secretlab Magnus.

 

Consider Connectivity

 

It doesn’t matter if your workspace is well laid out and packed with powerful tech if you can’t get a strong network connection. A wired one is still preferable for professional purposes, but business-grade wireless routers like the Asus BRT-AC828 and the Netgear Orbi Pro will work well to ensure even larger office spaces have adequate coverage. This gives you the freedom to work wherever you like without being stuck for signal.

 

Analyze Your Workload

 

The other must-consider aspect of workspace tech upgrades is what you actually use your hardware and software for – both as a means of plugging gaps in your existing setup, and to resist the temptation to splash out on sparkly new toys that won’t actually make you more productive. Here are a few thoughts to keep in mind:

 

Displays Should Come First

 

While a laptop may be the basis for your business computing needs, you really don’t want to have to rely on using the built-in screen if you’re going to spend 8 hours a day at a desk. Acclaimed monitors like the Dell U2723QE and the Asus ProArt PA279CRV are packed with impressive features and support all sorts of inputs and outputs, with the former even boasting integrated KVM capabilities for those with a dual PC setup.

 

Software Choices are Meaningful

 

The software solutions you pick to combine with your hardware have to be carefully filtered, and different considerations depend on whether you’re working solo or as part of a team. Being able to use SaaS packages for things like collaboration, customer relationship management and project management makes sense – and you might have top-down policies to follow in this regard. Just be cognizant that signing up for ongoing subscriptions might seem savvy in the short term, but you should periodically review usage to determine whether it’s an ongoing cost that pays for itself or not.

 

Specialized Tools Should Take Precedence

 

Again, there’s no point pigeonholing yourself or limiting your spending on workspace tech just to save a few bucks if this erodes your productivity day after day. So for instance, if you need a drawing tablet for graphic design workloads, add this to your wish list rather than ignoring this need.

 

Final Thoughts

 

The primary point to take away with you is that upgrading your workspace with tech should not be rushed, and has to be looked at from the perspective of your needs as an individual, as well as those of your broader business. No cookie-cutter approach will pay off here, so resist the allure of taking the easy route.