As offices become more collaborative through technology, research shows that employees seek more of this engagement. Across the board, offices are making strides in integrating staff through enhanced connectivity, however there is work to be done. Facility Executive highlights that, “Forty-two percent of respondents said their biggest challenge with their meeting room technology today is technical delays in starting the meeting. This indicates the need for collaboration solutions that provide seamless connectivity, as well as easy-start technology that doesn’t require a lengthy, involved ignition process.”
More immersive team links through technology aren’t impossible—however some facilities aren’t exactly conducive to the level of tech staff are dreaming of. A general contractor experienced in office space can gather the best approach to adaptations needed and take the plunge.
Here’s how:
According to a GovWorks Tech article, government employees spend less time at their desks and are more present in group spaces. There are also a striking number of employees working out of home offices accessing networks remotely. Increasing technology systems to optimize businesses involves integrating the unique needs of the organization in question.
Ryan Colker, Director of the Consultative Council at the National Institute of Building Sciences, brings to light some valuable points:
“The more you can build in flexibility, the better off you are. Modular and prefabricated components that can be quickly and easily reconfigured are valuable. Prefabricated panels designed “to plug and play” will come complete with electric and fiber-optic cables and will ‘allow you to go in and swap things out,’ he said.
Raised floors, common in office buildings for the last several decades, can accommodate ventilation and make it easy to reroute wires. And as sensors and controls get smaller and go wireless, there will be less need to disturb walls to reroute embedded wires.
There’s ‘a push toward the integration of IT systems and building systems’ onto a single ‘information backbone.’”
Although these options sound actionable and relatively easy, this transition to a more “techy” office should be well planned, as cyber threats can cause more harm than good. By having the ease and accessibility of a linkable network, there is also an increased risk of compromised cybersecurity.
However, through involving experts with an all-bases covered approach, reaching employees’ facility technology expectations isn’t so impossible.
Sources referenced:
facilityexecutive.com/2017/03/employees-want-interactive-approach-workplace-problems/
govtechworks.com/building-for-the-future-how-tech-is-reconfiguring-office-space/#gs.IGLu46Y