Real-time communications turning email into the new snail mail: Study

"Snail mail," a mocking term emphasizing the non-internet speed of paper letters delivered by postmen, may soon be associated with email too, according a new study by Robert Half Technology.

According to the survey's data, half of chief information officers say real-time communications will surpass email in popularity within the next 5 years. Just 7% believed email would remain more popular.

Real-time communication fosters superior collaboration and comes in many forms—instant messaging programs, cloud-based document sharing and editing services, etc. Speed, convenience, and the every-improtant social component all combine to forge a more dynamic and practical alternative to email—which by no means will die any time in the next decade, but whose importance and relevance in the workspace will gradually deteroriate.

"Although there is a definite place for email in the workplace, using real-time tools allows workers to solve problems and get the answers they seek much more quickly than constructing an email and waiting for a reply," said Lara Dodo, a regional vice-president for Robert Half Technology in Canada. "IT professionals need to be sure to keep pace with new technologies - as expertise in these real-time tools can enhance their marketability and stay competitive in the job market."