As virtual communication becomes a staple for UK professionals, a staggering 78 percent of workers engage in weekly virtual calls.
However, a recent study by semiconductor firm XMOS raises concerns about the effectiveness of the tools employed for collaboration.
The research divulges that Britons encounter issues with conferencing products at an alarming rate of six times per month, averaging more than one glitch per week. Even more concerning, a significant 31 percent report monthly problems, while a distressing 13 percent—equivalent to a substantial 4.29 million individuals in the workforce—grapple with daily disruptions.
Among the challenges faced by workers, audio quality emerges as a central problem, with 57 percent of respondents asserting that clear audio stands as the most pivotal aspect of any virtual meeting. Surprisingly, a staggering 80 percent of participants admit to having encountered subpar sound quality during conference calls. Of these, 28 percent have even missed crucial content due to audio issues, while 23 percent have been vexed by intrusive background noises.
Hybrid working is here to stay
In response to these findings, Aneet Chopra, EVP Marketing and Product Management at XMOS, expressed his astonishment, noting that the pandemic-induced hybrid work model has become a fundamental demand rather than a mere perk. He emphasised that the technology currently accessible to workers falls short of their requirements, particularly in terms of high-performance, reliable audio.
Chopra stated, “When high performance, reliable audio is so crucial both to individuals, and organisations, it’s incumbent upon product manufacturers in the collaboration space to combat user frustrations, delivering fit-for-purpose solutions rather than letting these complaints fall on deaf ears.”
Addressing this pressing issue, XMOS presents its solution: the XVF3800 four-microphone voice processor, meticulously designed to seamlessly integrate high-quality audio into conferencing applications without compromising performance or time-to-market efficiency. This innovation holds immense potential for applications in speakerphones, video bars, conferencing devices, and more.
To delve deeper into XMOS’s efforts to alleviate audio-related user frustrations, readers are invited to explore the company’s comprehensive “Remote Possibilities” research report. This report elucidates how advanced conferencing technology can empower today’s modern workforce. For more insights, visit: https://www.xmos.ai/remote-possibilities-conferencing-report/
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.