Utilising Technology to Assist A Safe Re-Opening
Steven Dullaert, Managing Director at Technological Innovations Group (TIG), EMEA sales agency for premium tech brands that integrate harmoniously to form superior smart spaces.
Facilities Managers are relying on smart tech to help shape their safe-return-to-work plans. But the pandemic has also forced businesses to assess the long-term benefits workplace tech can provide as they seek to streamline the ways in which their workforces collaborate, and define their new office culture.
With a focus on staff wellbeing and productivity, optimised space management and reduced energy consumption, the technology required will need to be able to work well today and evolve for tomorrow, as measuring long-term ROI becomes increasingly important.
The focus should be on scalable solutions that grow with you, flex to respond to future crises and adapt to the changing needs of staff.
Another focus should be on the seamless integration of hardware and software solutions, which will be key for developing a cost-effective and intelligent space management strategy whilst making collaboration more inclusive.
The pandemic will undoubtedly accelerate the hot desking revolution. The ideal hot desking solution will see the integration of a robust and flexible scheduling platform, digital signage to communicate safety measures and reinforce protocols, occupancy sensor technology to deliver real-time availability information, and BYOD (bring your own device) capability so staff can manage their working day from anywhere and with a zero-touch approach.
This will not only help manage social distancing at work, it will reduce the wastage of space, time and resources in the long run: real estate costs are at a premium when space utilisation is poorly managed.
With many companies looking to reduce their overheads whilst still investing in the wellbeing of their people, technologies that simplify the booking process will improve staff efficiency, boost productivity and enhance the overall employee experience. Meanwhile, the ability to capture accurate usage data will be critical for informed workplace design that makes the safest and smartest use of space.
With meeting rooms predicted to become technology-enabled, touchless collaboration hubs for anywhere workforces, solutions that are reliable and easy-to-use, and can be accessed from anywhere on any device, will empower employees to work more efficiently and confidently, providing reassurances and matching the expectations of new, young talent. For those in the office, software that enables wireless content sharing, securely from a personal device, will be critical.
Steven predicts that BYOD will be a lasting benefit beyond the pandemic: “We’ll become so used to touchless control that it will feel odd to ever go back to manual operation. Not only does it reduce the risk of contagion, it is super convenient for the hybrid working era, providing ease of use for on-the-go workforces, enhancing collaboration and eliminating common desk- or room-booking anxieties associated with a flexible office environment.”
The need for advanced yet user-friendly unified collaboration tools will also grow as flexible working becomes more established and employers seek to make their workspaces futureproof and accessible to all. Digital collaboration software whose capabilities go beyond simple screen-sharing to offer synchronous presentation and interaction will transform existing conference rooms into dynamic, engaging collaboration hubs in which the remote worker can actively participate – even after the meeting has ended. Interaction-tracking shows who exactly has been contributing, helping managers to determine the ROI of their hybrid working model.
Steven concludes: “Achieving a strong return on investment comes from ergonomics. Integrated smart space systems, that can be tailor-made to match your unique needs, will provide the scalability, reliability and flexibility required to not only help bring people safely back to the workplace, but to enhance the reputation of a business by putting them ahead of the curve of innovation, and positioning them as a leader in employee satisfaction.”
