Being well connected at work is critical – and we’re not talking about having friends in high places at the office. These days, the “well-connected” employee is someone with easy access to the resources, spaces and other people they need to do their job. It’s especially important that access be streamlined when nearly a third of all workers will be either part-time or full-time remote in 2022.
As organizations figure out how to best support hybrid work, they’re looking at the technology required to make it happen. And that has many asking:
What’s most important for our organization in our hybrid workplace technology solutions?
At EMS, we recently surveyed more than a hundred enterprises and higher educational institutions to find out what they see as essential technology for the hybrid workplace or campus. We asked about space utilization, office hoteling/desk booking, employee health and more.
The following three trends topped the list.
1. Mobile Access
Respondents cited a user-friendly mobile app as the most important consideration, with 29% ranking it their biggest priority. The hybrid workplace requires intuitive technology that facilitates interactions, allows employees and students to find places to meet and work, and creates a frictionless experience – all of which mobile devices are ideally suited for. For instance:
- Room and space booking apps enable people to reserve workspaces on the go
- Smartphone QR codes can be used to quickly check in to a space or view a room’s availability
- Mobile apps display maps and floor plans that make it easy to get to where you need to be
Learn about the EMS Direct Spaces mobile app.
2. Self-Scheduling Tools for Workspaces and Shared Spaces
Next on the list is self-scheduling, where people can reserve desks, meeting rooms, study carrels or other types of shared spaces – even parking spaces or lockers at the company gym. Of the respondents, 26% said the ability to allow individuals to book space themselves is the most important consideration because it leads to efficiencies by shortening the reservation process, as well as improves collaboration by making sure employees can request space near colleagues.
Self-service scheduling technology has been around for a while now, but the pandemic kicked it into high gear. Employees want greater control over being able to work when, where and how they choose, and that extends to choosing their workspaces when they are in the office.
Learn about EMS desk booking software.
3. Utilization Data and Analytics
Does your supply of spaces match current demand? Are reserved rooms actually being used or are they sitting empty? Which spaces are utilized most – or least – at your workplace or campus? Observations and anecdotes can give you a glimpse into your space needs, but for highly accurate space planning forecasts, you need technology that captures utilization data and offers analytics for data-backed insights.
21% of respondents in our survey said automated space planning technology is their most important priority in today’s workplace environment. Better space planning forecasting is instrumental in enhancing the employee or student experience, and it helps organizations make the most of their valuable real estate.
Learn about EMS analytics, space utilization and optimization.
Planning Your Hybrid Workplace or Campus
With more focus on our physical, hybrid and virtual spaces than ever before, it’s critical to have a strong vision for the future of space.
Discover the market insights we have gathered over the past year and our forecast for the immediate and long-term future in our on-demand webinar “The Best of Insights: Planning the New Workplace Experience.”
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