The latest insights from Propel Tech’s Software Wishlist Survey suggest a dramatic shift in how organisations are thinking about the role of software technology in the workplace, and it's good news for employees.

From productivity to people: A shift in priorities

Propel Tech’s latest findings reveal a striking trend: employee well-being and work-life balance have overtaken productivity and collaboration as the top priorities for bespoke software development in 2025.

Top 3 Priorities for Employee Software Solutions (2025 vs. 2024):

What’s notable in our survey is that productivity and collaboration have dropped out of the top four entirely. This signals a larger cultural transformation: businesses are looking for software to support in larger areas of business growth and development, and understanding that software can support in not only  doing more,  and doing so faster, but they’re using software and AI powered applications to create healthier, more supportive environments where employees can thrive.

Empowering employees, not monitoring them

“There’s a growing recognition that software should be a tool for support, not surveillance. The focus is moving away from constant performance tracking toward enablement, autonomy, and creativity.” Andy Brown, Propel Tech

Instead of expecting workers to always be “on,” AI-powered bespoke solutions are being designed to:

• Encourage thoughtful and productive work over busywork
• Automate mundane, repetitive tasks
• Offer seamless training and development experiences
• Provide mental health support and promote work-life harmony

To explore what this might look like in your business, and how bespoke software can support your AI strategy visit our AI Software Consultancy Services.

Real-world examples: Bespoke software in action

Several platforms, both familiar and futuristic illustrate how tailored software solutions are creating more humane and intelligent workplaces:

• Slack - Originally a productivity tool, now enhanced with AI-based integrations that summarise long threads, surface insights, and reduce communication fatigue.
• Headspace for Work - A corporate wellness platform designed to integrate mindfulness and mental health into the working day—backed by measurable outcomes in stress reduction uses AI to simplify the user experience.
• Trello - Trello offers work planning, customisable Kanban workflows now powered by AI automation (via Butler), freeing up time for more strategic thinking and less manual admin.
• Cleo AI - Cleo is a financial wellbeing platform using conversational AI to coach employees. Offering personalised money advice, boosting morale and productivity.
• Humane AI Pin - A wearable AI assistant that’s reimagining how employees interact with digital systems. Early use cases include, voice and gesture-based assistance, AI-driven task reminders.

The broader impact: AI and the future of work

According to the UK Government’s National AI Strategy and the World Economic Forum, AI is transforming roles and upskilling of workers,  by not replacing humans but by enhancing them, and evolving Their roles.

Peter Cheese, CEO of CIPD, highlights: "AI is not just a tech issue it’s a people issue. The biggest risks lie in failing to prepare the workforce for this transition.”

AI as part of work place focused bespoke software development enables:

• Hyper-personalised development through intelligent learning platforms
• Burnout prevention via real-time wellbeing support
• Workload balance based on employee capacity and rhythm
• Inclusion and access, if skills are evenly developed across regions
• For examples of how AI-ready bespoke software is already transforming UK businesses, visit our client project portfolio.

Looking ahead: Human-centric, AI-driven software

The future of bespoke software isn’t about speeding up the hamster wheel it’s about redesigning the wheel entirely. AI, when thoughtfully applied, supports creativity, autonomy, and well-being.

“AI isn't about replacing humans; it's about augmenting human potential.”
- Clare Barclay, CEO, Microsoft UK

The shift is clear: bespoke software is becoming employee-first, intelligent, and adaptive.

Is your software future-ready?

AI as part of your future software strategy is a strategic necessity, and part of this is efficiency, well being and people impacts.

If your workplace software isn’t aligned with your people strategy, you risk falling behind.

Contact Propel Tech to book your Software Health Check and explore how we can support your shift to AI-driven, human-centric software solutions.

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