Believe it or not, the time of retiring in one job is slowly fading away as the shift to swapping full-time jobs for monetary, contracted employment is sweeping our country’s workforce. With this new “Gig Economy” retirement as we once knew it may become redefined. In place of the conventional concept of long-term employment and benefits, app-based platforms have given rise to a new way of working, in which workers forge a living through a framework consisting of micro jobs. Gig employees are among a diverse group of individuals occupying an array of jobs similar to hopeful, novice musicians. These employees work individual gigs using app platforms that take them to their consumer market.
In the last 50 years, the U.S. workforce has grown by over 300% in regards to the number of contracted/temporary employees; giving rise to the next generation of the Gig economy.
Gig Economy 2.0 Includes Smarter Access
This year, we will begin to see smart access control systems ushering in a second generation of the Gig economy by providing more methods of collaboration for employers, employees, and end-users of the economy’s services. Gigs like: grocery delivery, maid services, home repair, and dog walking are just a few of the jobs that can expect greater control and efficiency when utilizing smart access control.
More Opportunities on the Rise
There’s no doubting that we’re living in an on-demand world, and as a result, we’re often running around on a day to day basis. Whether it’s to work, a vacation, or school, people are on the move more than ever before, and gig based services often feel the heat as their jobs often get inhibited by their customers’ busy schedules.
A lot of gig economy jobs require customers to be at home for services such as grocery delivery, handy work, and housekeeping. However, if platforms such as Handy or Instacart integrated smart access control into their mobile apps via APIs & SDKs, customers of the gig economy that have smart locks such as Kevo or August on their front doors can find the same level of ease in granting access to these contracted services as gig employers.
So now, instead of worrying about having to be home at an agreed upon time, customers can simply send their handymen, dog walkers, and delivery service provider temporary digital keys automatically from the Gig economy app once the service has been booked. This will let them in on customers’ behalf; making the on-the-go lifestyle a lot easier for all involved. Upon completion of the gigs, the digital keys will then be revoked and the door will automatically lock.
Moreover, platforms that integrate smart access control will also send customers notifications when their gig services provider have entered and left their homes; making real-time monitoring of the services possible and adding comfort to the overall experience.
Keeping up with the Economy
“The gig economy is empowerment. This new business paradigm empowers individuals to better shape their own destiny and leverage their existing assets to their benefit.” John McAfee
With the evolution of the internet, we have found instant connectivity, simplification of repetitive tasks, and the world’s information at our fingertips. The economy has changed course and we have been introduced to new services that we have grown to love such as Amazon Prime Now, Uber Eats, and Instacart. And as consumers and organizations continue to demand services from these platforms, the rate at which we’ll see these services being used will continue to rise at a robust pace. It’s imperative that our technology adapts to this new way of life, which is why third-party apps are increasing work on stronger APIs in order to create more opportunities for work and collaboration in an ever-changing world and more importantly, to produce technology that can keep up with this bustling economy. To learn more about how your company can win in the next generation of the gig economy, visit unikey.com.
Follow Us: