Remote workers use their devices for the most hours – Employees who work remotely tend to spend more time on their devices compared to those exclusively working from office locations. While the time spent on computers, smartphones, or tablets doesn’t directly equate to productivity, it may hint at heightened work activity, especially as remote work often translates to digital meetings. Notably, the difference in device usage hours is most prominent among workers in Japan and Germany. The disparity is most evident when comparing computer usage based on remote work status. This MetaFAQs reports on the mean and median number of hours employees in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, and China use their connected devices – computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as with each device type. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1011_prod] in TUP Lenses: Devices; User Profile; Work/Life Balance
Which Countries Lead in Remote Work Adoption?
The pandemic introduced a major shift in how employees work in addition to where they work. Although the quick response was necessary to maintain public health, some employers have sought to return remote employees to their workplace settings. Other employers have recognized the improved efficiency, productivity, and health of their employees, and have adapted to remote or hybrid work arrangements as part of their ongoing best practices. Many employees have found life-affirming benefits from even occasional remote work which has added to their resistance in returning to previous workplace-oriented practices. They report enjoying many benefits: reduced commuting times and expense, less time on work-appropriate wear, less time in meetings, as well as personal benefits such as managing family care. Also, many remote workers have already set up their remote working environment, many outfitted with computers, webcams, printers, and display monitors. They may be reticent to return to their workplace where employer-provided computers may not be as new as the ones employees are using at home.
This MetaFAQs reports on a vital statistic: the percentage and number of online adults that work remotely by country and also how often they do or do not work remotely. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1005_amwf] in TUP Lenses: User Profile; Work/Life Balance
More employees in large companies use a work printer
More employees in large companies use a work printer – Employees in larger companies are more likely to be actively using a work printer than employees with smaller employers. Somebody, somewhere, needs that paper printed. That the percentage would be higher among larger employers may seem at first to be a matter of company size. However, these TUP penetration statistics are based on responses per employee, not per employer. Active printing rates are also because larger companies tend to find it harder to change. Many are set in their ways, especially those adhering to defined procedures and practices. That’s not to suggest that printing on paper is a regressive practice. But, among many circles, it’s considered passé. Especially as digital transformation continues and a growing number of employees are using collaboration tools, paper forms and reports are facing downdrafts in usage.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percent of employees regularly using an employer-provided printer by the size of the employer. Report [TUP_doc_2023_1001_wpri] in TUP Lenses: Printers; User Profile
Employers finally updating home technology as employees move on
There’s a discernible trend in American workplaces: while many employees need to rely on personal devices for work, there’s an increasing tilt towards employer-provided technology. From 2021 to 2023, the percentage of employees using their home computer for work declined from 52% to 40%. This shift can foster enhanced protection of digital assets and boost collaboration. Furthermore, when employers provide the tools, it solidifies trust, as employees aren’t shouldering costs that effectively reduce compensation.
By 2023, 40% of American workers were using company-issued computers, a growth from 37% in 2021. However, there’s an emerging trend of employees not using computers at all for work, which increased from 29% to 35% in two years, while smartphone usage has risen. This shift holds implications for tech enterprises basing projections on dominant computer usage.
Lastly, employer-provided computers are becoming increasingly, if belatedly, updated. By 2023, 46% of employees using both personal and work computers found their work PC to be the more recent device, up from 42% in 2021. This progression indicates a commitment to providing current tech tools in professional settings.
This MetaFAQs reports on the percentage of American full-time and part-time employees who actively use a home computer for work-related activities, an employer-provided work computer, or the combination. It also compares the age of the employee’s home computer used for work with the age of the one supplied by the employer.
Microsoft CoPilot – generative AI as an enterprise Office 365 service for creatives
Microsoft announced an upcoming service for its Microsoft 365 service that integrates the user’s data using generative AI. Called Microsoft CoPilot, the service will first be offered to enterprises. This TUPdate measures the potential market of those most likely to adopt and benefit from the service.
The only set of connected devices Americans use
Since 2018 and through the pandemic, fewer online Americans have been using computers, game consoles, feature phones, and tablets. Smartphones, already near saturation levels, have continued to increase market penetration.
Is the smartphone headed towards being the last device standing, or is there some other device combination that is more widely used?
This TUPdate looks at the market penetration of key devices – computers, smartphones, feature phones, game consoles, and tablets – among American adults. Beyond their overall penetration rates, this analysis dives deeper into identifying the device combinations used by three of four American adults, and profiling who uses them.
Home computer usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Fewer Americans actively use a home computer than in 2018 before the pandemic. With each passing year, Americans in nearly every sociodemographic group have reduced their active use of a home computer. Purchase intentions, however, have foretold of a potential market composition shift with a resurgence of interest among some of the groups with the lowest usage rates.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a personally owned home computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Any home tower desktop computer usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
Home tower desktop computers have declined in active usage during the pandemic. Most remaining current users are older Americans or not employed outside the household. That may change soon. Purchase plans show strong interest growth among users with the lowest active usage rates.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use and plan to purchase a home tower desktop computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.
Any home desktop computer usage & plans by socioeconomic groups
The active use of home desktop computers has declined during the pandemic. The largest group of users are older Americans or not employed outside the household. That may change soon. Purchase plans show strong interest growth among younger adults – those with the lowest active usage rates.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use and plan to purchase a home desktop computer along several lines: traditionally advantaged and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, life stage, employment status, and age.
Home Apple computer usage by socioeconomic groups
Apple home computers grew in usage during the pandemic only to shrink below pre-pandemic levels. The shape and composition of the active Apple home computer user base shifted away from historically advantaged and younger Americans.
This TUPdate looks at the profile of American adults who currently use a personally owned home Apple computer along several lines: the socioeconomic group they are part of, their life stage, employment status, and age.