8 digital workplace examples to inspire your digital transformation

8 real-life digital workplace examples

1. Online collaboration

Every digital workplace needs to empower online collaboration among its workers. Through online word processors like Google Docs and cloud storage services like Dropbox, coworkers can collaborate on projects regardless of where they are. For example, an advertising agency might work with a variety of stakeholders on a website project: employees, independent contractors, and clients. By having a secure way to collaborate remotely on a project, the agency’s creative director can oversee the work, the hired freelance writer can share the latest website copy, and the client can review the documents and provide feedback—even if all three parties are in separate locations.

2. Simplified shift planning

When an employee needs to swap shifts, where do they go? For many frontline workers, checking the latest shift plan requires being onsite to check the paper printout. An example of a digital workplace would be a steel mill using a secure mobile app to centralize schedules, make them accessible, and enable employees to trade shifts even when they’re not on the factory floor.

3. Streamlined communication channels

Digital workplaces take their communication online through various messaging services, which can present a security issue. A recent Veritas Technologies survey found that 71% of global office workers share sensitive business data using instant messaging and business collaboration tools. 

That’s why it’s crucial to provide a streamlined and secure tool for employees to use for all work-related communications. Even by doing this, though, adoption can be a struggle. Retail chain KODi uses KODiConnect, an employee app with enterprise-grade security, to reach employees across its 250 branches. Prior to the app’s implementation in 2022, KODi’s staff was using a confusing mix of communication channels, including fax, email, phone and Microsoft Teams. Now, thanks to the app's ease of use, KODiConnect boasts a 100% usage rate for its 2,500 employees across headquarters and retail locations.

4. Digitised paper processes

Digital workplaces digitise paper processes to make them more accessible and efficient. At REWE, a grocery chain with 3,700 stores and 161,000 employees, managers used to print out emails from headquarters and pin them to notice boards for retail workers. That meant some employees were out of the loop until they came in for their next shift. Now, REWE’s managers use an employee app that retail and corporate employees alike can open anytime to stay up to date with the latest information.

5. Targeted communication

The beauty of a digital workplace is that you can send targeted communication to relevant groups—so you don’t overwhelm everyone with unnecessary information. 

With more than 330 locations, hardware store toom sometimes needs to send relevant information to specific stores, rather than all 18,000 employees at once. With their mobile employee app, which they call "toomunity," they can create subject- and location-specific communication channels. This saves time, prevents unnecessary newsfeed clutter, and ensures relevant parties stay informed.

6. Employee onboarding and training

Onboarding new hires can be a time-consuming process, and companies are eager to make a first impression. That's why an optimized digital workplace will have a way to streamline communication between parties, upload new hire documents, and distribute training videos. 

As part of its digital workplace, Mhplus, a health insurance fund, uses Flip to securely coordinate training for students, trainees, and training managers. By using this location-independent communication tool, onboarding starts two months earlier than before. 

7. HR: Benefits, sick leave, PTO

Another example of a digital workplace is one that creates an online HR portal for employees to access their benefits and put in requests for sick leave and PTO. This can be achieved through HR platforms, but if you really want to streamline your apps, find an employee app that can integrate with HR software. 

For instance, automotive parts manufacturer MAHLE has an employee app that integrates with SAP-HR. That way, employees have easy access to HR benefits with one login within the mobile app.

8. Employee and customer feedback

Digital workplaces empower feedback from employees and customers alike through the use of polls and surveys as well as feedback submission forms. Prior to adopting Flip, drugstore chain ROSSMAN had only top-down communication, which meant they were missing out on valuable information from employees and customers. Today, ROSSMAN uses its employee app to establish a direct channel for employees to share their ideas as well as feedback from customers. Now, the flow of information can go both ways, from the shop floor to corporate headquarters.

Feeling inspired by these digital workplace examples?

As you can see from the examples, a digital workplace can be whatever you need it to be! By selecting software applications that meet your organization’s unique needs, you can create a set of tools that save time and money, as well as make your employees’ jobs easier. 

If you currently lack a streamlined form of internal communication, find out how much a disconnected workforce is costing you. Try our free savings calculator.