The pace of development of wireless technologies remains high. Possibilities improve due to developments in WiFi and other wireless technologies such as 5G and satellite Internet connections, wireless personal area networks, wireless sensors, wireless video and audio, and additional spectrum being made available. The popularity of wireless technologies means there is now a greater diversity than ever of specialist wireless network equipment available for more scenarios from more makers and at a broader range of prices. For most businesses, an increasingly wireless office is an advantage and affordable, and therefore inevitable. Wired networks are increasingly used to support the wireless networks. More types of wireless network with distinct characteristics are being developed and deployed. Multiple kinds of wireless networks can be managed as software defined networks that can share infrastructure with collaborating businesses to build powerful networks that are less geographically and functionally constrained.
Increasingly people expect the convenience of wireless technology in their workplace as they experience at home and in leisure environments. People using their own wireless enabled devices for work brings modern technology to businesses more quickly and at zero cost. By granting access to business resources from wireless devices while away from the office businesses increase responsiveness, productivity, and encourage better engagement with their workforce to gain competitive advantages. The modern workforce is now more distributed workforce. These flexibilities drive innovation and improve cost control while attracting the best talent. Eventually we, or our employers, will expect devices swallowed or embedded in us to wirelessly inform us of our health, fitness, and alertness levels.
The progressive wireless office has multiple kinds of wireless network using different technologies with diverse ownership and objectives. Other than the business ostensibly using an office, some of the wireless networks may belong to buildings and infrastructure owners, others may belong to or be used by providers of services such as information technology, facilities maintenance, security, catering, cleaning, and other potential partners. In addition, individuals may have wireless personal area networks, and groups may use portable shared networks. At some level all these interacting parties have information and services that through collaboration can advantage each other. This kind of collaborative use of wireless technology will become an important feature of well-run and successful businesses. By collaborating with others, we can each gain advantages that would be too expensive for each business alone to afford.
A wireless office can now connect its people wherever they are, whether static or on the move. Essentially the wireless office is not constrained and defined by space and location; it is enabled by its freedoms. More freedoms provide more opportunities that can be exploited for success. Successful businesses will most likely be those that actively look to extend the ways in which people can work creatively.
At least four organisations are now promoting wireless power solutions. The convenience of wireless power combined with improving battery technology means that wireless power will become a feature of the fully wireless office. Eventually power will be transmitted from multiple points that track devices through their fields. Finally wireless power will become so ubiquitous that we will forget the act of putting something on charge. Then proximity of devices will be reserved for initiating more important actions.