This Enterprise Software Startup Is Helping Companies Design Digital Workplaces

Author: Julian Mitchell / Source: Forbes

In 2017, IT spending on enterprise software is projected to peak at $351 billion globally, a number that is expected to reach $462 billion by 2021.

While enterprise software is intended to streamline workflow, boost productivity and help companies operate more efficiently; without giving workers thorough training, most enterprise solutions prove to do the opposite.

In addition to the challenges of integrating changing technology, enterprise solutions can also present roadblocks such as confusing interfaces, elaborate dashboards and complicated communication functions. As a result, to make businesses run more efficiently, the process begins with making knowledge workers better equipped. Noticing the need for an all-in-one tool, serial entrepreneur Sean Nolan developed a tech startup that makes managing information and operations an easier task.

Founded in 2014, Blink is an enterprise solution that helps businesses design agile digital workplaces. Blink adds a layer of efficiency to enterprise powers like Salesforce, Netsuite and ServiceNow by providing companies a suite of features that includes a messaging app, robust search engine, smart bot assistants, and micro-apps. By consolidating the myriad of tools and technology into one connected system, Blink looks to modernize enterprise software by making the technology in the workplace technology as turnkey and seamless as your technology at home.

From smartphone and tablets, to laptops and desktops — in-home devices are commonly interconnected through a cloud, syncing each device to actively track and transfer information in real-time. The cloud also serves as a hub to organize and store apps, emails, media, contacts and documents. Blink’s proprietary software mirrors this framework, giving businesses more flexibility and immediate access to everything they need.

This combination of tools collectively assists in making knowledge workers more productive, which in turn unlocks a new world of opportunity for modern companies.

I spoke with CEO and Founder Sean Nolan about the vision behind his company, designing digital workplaces, and the future of enterprise software.

What was the specific void or opportunity did you discovered that inspired the idea behind Blink?

Sean Nolan: We are so powerful today as technology consumers, but stepping into most workplaces is like stepping back 20 years. It would seem as though we are at peak complexity at work, with the number of applications we use growing daily. However, simple things are still remarkably difficult: finding that document, or an available meeting room. It is difficult to book travel and there are few systems that intelligently alert us about major issues with customers before they happen. Everything is so fragmented. I believe the next shift, and the opportunity in front of us, is one of simplification. We’re changing how people interact with technology at work via bots, voice, messaging apps and personal assistants. People call it Systems of Intelligence or Unifying Interfaces, but it’s really about simplifying. The closest thing to Blink today would be WeChat in Asia, in that it’s a platform that changes the way we interact with technology and how technology is built. We realized you needed a unification layer before you can do the more intelligent things – the move to APIs enables us to build…

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