Making your office a magnet not a mandate
Let’s start with the benefits. It’s important to think of a Smart Office beyond the physical walls. In these days of hybrid working, digital apps and multiple communication channels, your ‘office’ needs to be wherever your employees, customers and suppliers need it to be.
Get that right, and you’ll find all of your stakeholders much more closely aligned, more engaged and more united.
In the words of Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO @Cisco “The office needs to be a magnet, not a mandate.”
The 3 pillars that will drive transition
If you are aiming to evolve your workplace towards a Smart Office there are three main pillars you will need to consider.
1. Technological convergence
2. User experience
3. Sustainability and cost-savings
All of them are inter-linked. Whichever one you prioritise will often bring the other two with them.
1. Technological convergence
Historically, IT teams and Facilities teams have always worked in silo, with different responsibilities and different skillsets. That’s changing!
To maximise your Smart Office capability, you want to connect your IT with the Operational Technology (OT) and the Internet of Things (IoT) – and in some cases the corporate network too. The need for a united team bringing their distinct capabilities has never been more important.
By achieving technological convergence, you make it possible for technologies to work together to create a better physical and digital environment. For example the number of people in the building can dictate how many lifts you run or whether you open a full canteen service. You can automatically supply fresh air before each new meeting begins.
At the same time of course, security is paramount. Whilst creating a more converged technology solution, you need to take a smarter approach to protect the proliferation of your digital access points. That could be CCTV cameras; it could be new meeting room apps accessed through the Cloud; it could be employees accessing files from a Starbucks.
2. User experience
We hear Customer Experience or CX talked about in relation to the physical workspace or building. It is also something that is synonymous with the hybrid work debate and how to tempt staff back into your collaborative physical workspace.
You want to create a better experience for your employees; an experience that will help with talent management and retention. Providing an attractive workplace can help recruit and retain employees.
You also need to think about your clients /customers and suppliers. By creating a great client experience, you might just be securing that next purchase order and ensuring client retention.
The ‘Smarts’ can help with all of this. From check-in at a building reception with a QR code, to a seamless log-on to guest Wi-Fi , the autonomous use of meeting rooms, a Smart Office can improve CX at every access point.
3. Sustainability and costs savings
We know that environmental sustainability is top of mind for many organisations. For some this is driven by mandatory reporting requirements and could be top down. For many it is also driven from social obligation and employee and customer pressure. Your people believe in the importance of environmental sustainability in the workplace, as do many customers.
The right move towards more sustainable operations can also save you money. Your offices and production buildings may play a significant role in your energy consumption and will be a key factor when setting net zero goals.
Using data from smart technology to monitor your office performance and give you insights that you can use to plan change for the future is key. Whether that data is collected from a single sensor or by using a full Smart Building Control System feeding from a Converged Network System (CNS), it’s a vital step in understanding how your office works and where enhancement opportunities may lie.
As one of the leading network technology companies behind some of the smartest buildings in Europe*, we’re always happy to discuss strategies. Why not get in touch.
*Ideal network installations include 150 Holborn, Battersea Power Station, Coop Live Arena. We have also supported numerous tenanted organisations in their journey to Smart Offices in the finance, insurance, retail and distribution sectors.
