Dive Brief:
- Amazon is bringing its AI-powered digital assistant to the workplace with the launch of Alexa for Business, according to a blog post by Amazon Web Services. The move aims to boost employees' productivity by simplifying tasks in both individual offices and in shared workspaces.
- For devices in private offices, users can complete hands-free tasks like managing calendars, notifying IT about tech issues and searching for information, the company.
- For devices in shared spaces, Alexa can control lighting, screens and other meeting room equipment, place orders for office supplies, begin conference calls and more. Employees can also use the synced devices to get directions around the office, reserve meeting rooms and help with new-hire training.
Dive Insight:
Bringing Alexa into the enterprise is a significant and likely lucrative development for Amazon, as the voice-based technology might be able to solve common pain points in day-to-day operations, making it an appealing option for companies large and small. The emphasis on shared spaces in the blog post points to how Alexa for Business would sync multiple devices around a building or office space, streamlining workflows.
The development builds on Amazon's move in March to integrate phone capabilities into Alexa, aiming to make the tech a hub of communications from handling basic phone calls to conference calling. Beyond these functionalities, getting Alexa into more business spaces means the AI will learn at a faster clip and that Amazon can put more devices out there, boosting sales and dependency on its voice-activated gadgets.
Having Alexa in the workplace could also serve as an introduction for people who haven't previously interacted with the voice technology. Once they test it out at work, some may become more inclined to purchase an Alexa-enabled device at home.
While Amazon's hardware suite, including its Echo smart speakers, are incredibly popular with consumers, connected enterprise technology is clearly another area the Seattle-based company is looking to conquer early as voice becomes the next major technology disruption. Amazon Web Services also this week partnered with the consultancy iOLAP to strengthen Alexa's enterprise capabilities in areas like data aggregation and analysis and security, according to a news release.