Difficulty finding information is the most cited drawback of business communication applications

New research reveals the productivity pitfalls associated with increasing numbers of communication and collaboration tools

• 96% of workers have to search across multiple applications to find what they are looking for
• Individuals forced to resend information shared previously almost twice a week on average
• Difficulty finding information is the most cited drawback of business communication applications

While communication applications such as Microsoft Teams are growing in popularity, they also present productivity pitfalls for employees who are required to search across an increasing number of platforms. Intelligent search provider Sinequa surveyed IT decision makers in the UK and found that the most reported drawback of communication applications is difficulty finding information. The research found workers are forced to resend items that they have already shared previously almost twice a week on average. Sinequa’s new integration with Teams alleviates these search problems, enabling employees to find relevant information regardless of where it is stored, enhancing their productivity as a result.

For the most part, virtual collaboration tools have been a cornerstone of the digital workplace during the Covid-19 pandemic, growing rapidly in popularity over the last year and a half. In general, workers praise multiple features of these tools:

• 77% of respondents using a chat application like that it offers a quick and easy way to collaborate with colleagues
• 55% say their app is user friendly

However, these tools are not without their flaws. According to respondents:

• 26% find it difficult to find information within the app they are using
• 22% believe that these tools do not have enough useful features available
• 18% are not impressed by the lack of ability to integrate with other apps

Moreover, as workplaces use more applications, finding information becomes harder:

• 96% of employees have to search across multiple applications to find what they are looking for
• 39% of employees using a communication tool end up resending information once a day or more
• Just under a quarter (23%) resend information two or more times a day

Jeff Evernham, Vice President, Product Strategy said: “Our research has found that, while communication applications are invaluable tools for the hybrid workplace – enabling quick and easy collaboration between colleagues – there are also challenges developing as employees are expected to use more and more of these applications and tools at work.

“There is a growing risk that productivity is hindered rather than helped by application proliferation and the resulting information sprawl. Looking across multiple applications with different search capabilities wastes employees’ time and their productivity suffers. The best organisations are mindful of the employee experience as a whole, and integrate solutions for a more comprehensive, cohesive, and frictionless digital workplace.”

“Sinequa addresses the problem of scattered information by offering one place where employees can get everything they need, without having to leave Teams. With this new integration, employees have what they need right at their fingertips when they need it, so they can be more effective and efficient – whether in the office or remote.”

Sinequa ran a survey of 250 IT decision makers based in the UK. The survey, which consisted of 10 questions, ran from 30^th July to 31^st July 2021. For more information, visit www.sinequa.com.