As we begin 2025, Integrated Workplace Management Solutions (IWMS) will continue to play a defining role in business operations.
Not least because, several years after the pandemic, it’s clear that hybrid working is here to stay, with 84% of workers preferring this kind of working arrangement. This workforce fluidity is driving demand for flexible workplace management tools. It’s also driving organizations to seek smarter ways to manage their real estate portfolios and optimize operations. After all, it makes no sense to have large real estate footprints or run 24/7 when the office is not at maximum occupancy or even being used at all. On top of all this, the desire to become more sustainable continues to be a driving force for chance.
Five for ‘25
Bearing all this in mind, what does 2025 have in store for IWMS and, more importantly, how is it likely to impact your business? Let’s take a look.
- AI and Automation to Take Center Stage
Recent reports suggest more than 57% of all IWMS software will include AI-embedded capabilities by 2027. AI will be utilized for predictive maintenance, data consolidation, occupancy trend analysis, and energy optimization. As more administrative work and complex data analysis are handled by AI, organizations will be better equipped to forecast maintenance needs, analyze occupancy trends, and optimize energy usage with unprecedented precision.
- Sustainable Steps Forward
Sustainability has been high on the corporate agenda for some time. Despite this, there are still many ways in which businesses can improve their environmental credentials and cut carbon emissions. An IWMS can help. Today there are IWMS solutions with advanced energy management modules that enable companies to monitor real-time energy consumption, streamline resource use, and report on ESG metrics with accuracy. This is especially critical considering upcoming regulation changes like the European Union’s (CSRD), which will require many companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions for the first time.
- Better Use of Space
If an alien was beamed into a city from space and saw rows upon rows of empty desks, lights left on and huge spaces underutilized, they certainly wouldn't believe we were the higher intelligence. Yet that is an all-too-common sight in offices today. Through enhanced capabilities for dynamic space planning, desk booking, and occupancy tracking, IWMS will resolve this issue and empower businesses to create flexible, employee-centric work environments while reducing costs associated with unused office space. According to this report, the average enterprise can improve facility usage efficiency by 40% with such improvements.
- Buildings Becoming Smarter
The integration of IWMS with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart building technologies is set to become more widespread. By 2034, the market for smart building technologies is expected to be worth nearly $300 billion. IWMS platforms will utilize IoT sensors for real-time data collection, enabling the automation of lighting, HVAC, and security systems. This integration will not only improve operational efficiency but also enhance employee comfort and productivity.
- Data-Driven Decision Making
In an increasingly data-centric world, IWMS platforms will play a pivotal role in decision-making processes. IWMS systems offer exceptionally robust analytics and reporting tools, helping organizations derive actionable insights from complex datasets. This not only drives strategic initiatives but also contributes to improved business performance. In fact, a study conducted by the Harvard Business Review revealed that companies using data-driven decision-making are 5% more productive and 6% more profitable than their competitors.
Enhance Your Ability to Navigate the Complexities of the Modern Workplace
If you think the impact of IWMS has reached its peak, 2025 will cause you to rethink. Organizations that adopt advanced IWMS platforms will be better prepared to manage the complexities of modern workplace environments, optimize resources, and achieve long-term business objectives – and that will be just the start.
Ready to learn more about IWMS solutions? Accruent can help. We have solutions that are trusted by industry leaders across 75+ countries when it comes to improving the workplace environment. From Lucernex to Observe and EMS to ServiceChannel, let us help you transform your workplace.
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