Inside Qbic’s strategy: Building smart offices that actually work
What are some of the key trends shaping the future of smart offices? How do you balance the excitement of the latest tech with the practical needs of today’s employees? We sat down with our partners from Qbic Technology, a leading innovator of ARM-based devices for AIoT, IoT, and Smart Device applications, to dive into some of these questions. Jeremy Juan, Marketing Director, and Vincent Chen, Product Management Director, share their insights.
What current workplace trends are you prioritizing when developing new products and features?
There are a lot of trends shaping the workplace right now, but the ones we’re especially focused on include sustainability, security, and seamless integration.
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a growing priority for companies aligning their values with how they operate day to day. It’s no longer just about energy-efficient devices; it’s about minimizing environmental impact across the entire product lifecycle. We focus on solutions that support sustainability goals while also helping reduce operational costs. That includes designing for energy efficiency and building devices that are made to last.
The rise in state-sponsored attacks and new standards like the US Cyber Trust Mark are pushing the industry to elevate its security measures. This requires shifting to proactive, integrated security solutions that safeguard digital assets.
Due to new threats, workplace technology is a significant area of focus. This is especially true for Android-based devices, which are increasingly common in workplace settings.
Organizations can significantly reduce their exposure to cyberattacks by selecting vendors that offer regular security updates, robust encryption, and advanced threat detection. A secure workplace is a productive workplace.
A secure work environment is the key to enhancing productivity and building employee confidence in the organization.
In terms of integration and user-centric design, employees expect technology to work effortlessly and intuitively, much like the smart devices we rely on in our personal lives. This trend and expectation pushes the industry to develop technologies that integrate effortlessly into daily workflows, allowing employees to focus on their core tasks rather than deal with complex tools.
How do you incorporate user feedback when developing your interface designs? What are your best practices for integrating customer listening with UX?
Product development is about getting the mix right – striking the right balance between aesthetics and functionality. The balance between visually appealing and practical is key in creating technology that employees want to use rather than feel obligated to use.
Adaptability to modern workspaces is another crucial aspect of our design philosophy. As office environments evolve, we design products that easily integrate into changing landscapes and support new ways of working and collaborating.
We also regularly solicit customer and end-user feedback, using these insights to refine our designs and develop features that address real-world needs.
Beyond the current trends around hybrid workspaces, what emerging technologies or market shifts do you anticipate will influence the future of smart office solutions?
A big one that we touched on earlier is sustainability. We’re seeing a growing demand for solutions that optimize energy use and incorporate eco-friendly materials. For example, our devices have energy-efficient processors and sensors, and we’re working on multiple ways to minimize our environmental footprint.
Another critical trend is interconnected devices. The future office will be a network of smart devices working together to create a more efficient and productive workspace. Devices that integrate with occupancy sensors, for example, allow for more imaginative space utilization and reduced energy consumption.
I can’t believe we made it this far into the discussion without mentioning AI. But, we certainly can’t overlook its impact. We’re exploring ways to incorporate AI into our hardware to enable more intelligent space management. Imagine a future where your office space can adapt to your needs in real time. That’s what we believe AI will deliver.
Finally, we’re starting to see a shift toward biometric authentication. Facial recognition, for instance, can provide a secure and seamless way to access office spaces and resources. Our devices are equipped with this technology, making them future-ready.
As professionals in your respective fields, what are some key lessons you’ve learned throughout your careers that have influenced your approach to product management and marketing at Qbic?
Jeremy Juan: I’ve had a blast working in tech, from marketing cutting-edge defense systems to leading the charge on smart office solutions worldwide. All this experience has helped me understand what customers want, no matter where they are or what they do.
The main thing I’ve learned is to adapt. Having worked across various industries, I’ve never witnessed a sector as dynamic as ours, especially in the wake of the pandemic. This experience reinforced the importance of agility and preparedness.
Throughout my career, I’ve also learned that true innovation stems from a deep, nuanced understanding of customer needs. It’s not enough to simply listen to feedback; we must dig deeper to become subject matter experts in our customers’ fields. This approach has consistently enabled me to identify underlying problems and provide relevant, forward-thinking solutions.
Vincent Chen:
It’s cool and exciting to think about adding the latest tech, like Apple Wallet or AI, to our solutions. But let’s be honest; we need to make sure it’s the right fit. As mentioned earlier, we want to create solutions that are both innovative and practical. We need to consider if technology is ready for prime time and if our clients are actually going to use it. Ultimately, we want to build solutions that solve real problems for team members in today’s ever-changing office environment.
