Real-time Industry Desk
Fresh coverage on virtual staffing, remote operations, and service-delivery trends.
Utility rate cases are becoming longer, more complex, and more frequent as regulators grapple with grid transformation costs and clean energy transition investments. Rate consulting firms are turning to virtual assistants to manage billing administration, rate case scheduling, PUC and utility communications, and regulatory documentation management.
Read full briefThe utility-scale battery storage sector is expanding rapidly under pressure from grid modernization mandates and renewable integration requirements, but the administrative complexity of managing large storage projects is straining lean development teams. Virtual assistants are handling project coordination, permitting tracking, client communication, and regulatory filing support tasks that previously required dedicated full-time hires. Companies adopting VA support report faster project timelines and more consistent regulatory compliance documentation.
Read full briefUnderground utility construction companies are deploying virtual assistants to handle 811 locate request coordination, easement and right-of-way document tracking, and as-built drawing submission management — reducing the risk of line strikes, permit violations, and record gaps that create long-term liability.
Read full briefUtilization management companies face mounting administrative pressure from complex billing structures, high-volume review scheduling, multi-stakeholder communications, and URAC accreditation documentation. Virtual assistants are handling these administrative functions at scale, allowing UM clinical staff to focus on review decisions.
Read full briefUtilization review companies face growing UR volumes, tighter turnaround mandates, and complex client billing requirements. Virtual assistants are handling billing admin, case coordination, and client account management in 2026—enabling clinical reviewers to focus on determinations.
Read full briefRising demand for UX research and product design work is creating billing and administrative strain at design firms, prompting adoption of virtual assistants to manage project billing, deliverable tracking, and client feedback loops.
Read full briefUX design engagements are research-intensive, iterative, and client-collaborative by nature. Managing the logistics of user research sessions, design sprints, stakeholder reviews, and billing milestones requires dedicated coordination that most UX practitioners don't have the bandwidth to provide. Virtual assistants are filling this gap in 2026, improving both project outcomes and client relationships.
Read full briefUX design schools face growing administrative complexity as enrollment climbs and industry partnerships multiply. Virtual assistants are taking on billing coordination, project scheduling, partner outreach, and portfolio documentation — letting instructors focus on design critique and mentorship.
Read full briefAs UX studios scale their research capabilities, virtual assistants are taking over the logistical layer of operations — from scheduling research sessions to managing deliverable timelines. Studios report faster project cycles and reduced principal burnout as a result.
Read full briefUX research firms are integrating virtual assistants to manage invoicing, client scheduling, study participant coordination, and deliverable tracking in 2026, reducing administrative burden on senior researchers while improving client service quality.
Read full briefThe short-term rental market has matured into a sophisticated property management industry, with operators managing dozens or hundreds of listings across multiple platforms. Virtual assistants are handling the high-volume, time-sensitive tasks that define the guest experience — messaging, cleaning coordination, and review management — allowing property managers to grow their portfolios without burning out. As the industry professionalized, VA support has become a standard operational tool.
Read full briefAs vacation rental portfolios grow beyond 10–20 properties, administrative demands quickly outpace what a small team can manage manually. Virtual assistants provide the operational bandwidth to keep communications timely, listings accurate, and owners informed.
Read full brief